Edinburgh Food Social is a social enterprise that works towards food justice and wellbeing by educating young people and communities about local, seasonal food. Constantly inspired by our great Scottish food culture, our aim is to promote the use of locally grown, seasonal produce to increase the awareness of good food and its impact on physical and mental health. Our work is focused on improving the life chances of people facing the challenges of poverty in our very local area of Craigmillar and then across other areas of Edinburgh, including Gracemount, Portobello and Dumbiedykes. These areas suffer significant economic deprivation, poor nutritional education, and often have poor access to healthy, local food.

Role Profile

• Leading the board and ensuring the right balance of skills required
  • Developing an ethical culture in line with the values of the organisation.
  • Ensuring a broad range of relevant skills are held by board members.
  • Encouraging engagement and participation from board members
• Promoting good governance and financial planning
  • Overseeing the legal requirements and annual financial reporting of the organisation along with the other board members
  • Working with the operations manager and treasurer to ensure accurate financial documentation is produced
• Providing supervision and support to the Operations Manager
  • Fortnightly call to check in and offer a sounding board / support with any issues
  • 121 review once per year
  • Offering suggestions of training and development where needed
• Acting as a figurehead or spokesperson where required
  • Attending meetings of political or high-profile nature
  • Speaking at public events where required
  • Developing network of contacts and partnership organisations with Operations Manager

Person Specification

• Previous experience experience of being a member of at least one other board – preferably a charity or social enterprise
• Sound knowledge of financial reporting and governance
• Experience of funding
• Good track record of managing significant budgets and reviewing financial plans
• Good network of contacts in Edinburgh
• Knowledge of the charity sector
• Strategic thinker with clear vision
• Strong public speaker
• Approachable nature with strong ethical values and inspiring leadership
• Experience in or knowledge of education and/or health would be an advantage

We are also currently recruiting for some extra general Board members and so, if you want to join our Board but aren’t quite ready to be Chair then please still get in touch.

Edinburgh Food Social is a social enterprise that works towards food justice and wellbeing by educating young people and communities about local, seasonal food. Constantly inspired by our great Scottish food culture, our aim is to promote the use of locally grown, seasonal produce to increase the awareness of good food and its impact on physical and mental health. Our work is focused on improving the life chances of people facing the challenges of poverty in our very local area of Craigmillar and then across other areas of Edinburgh, including Gracemount, Portobello and Dumbiedykes. These areas suffer significant economic deprivation, poor nutritional education, and often have poor access to healthy, local food.

Please see below a role profile and application form.