Our staff team are dedicated to supporting asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in Edinburgh.
We have a wide range of skills and experience, including language teaching, group facilitation and project management.
We are led by a Board of Directors, our Chief Executive Officer, Tesfu Gessesse and the Senior Management Team.
Click here to see our current staff structure.
Senior Management Team
Tesfu provides strategic leadership for the organisation, ensuring alignment with its mission and long-term objectives. In close collaboration with the Board of Trustees, he develops and implements strategic plans that foster operational excellence and organisational effectiveness.
As Chief Executive Officer, he oversees five key areas: Leadership & Strategy, Organisational Management, Organisational Sustainability & Development, Advocacy & External Relations, and Communication & Branding.
The Training and Employability Lead, a vital role in The Welcoming Association, is dedicated to enhancing the training and employability prospects of our New Scots service users. In her role, Sandra directly impacts these service users' lives, ensuring the quality and effectiveness of our training and employability programs.
These initiatives are not just about skills development but about empowering service users to reach their full potential, helping them to develop English language skills and access relevant work, volunteering, and training opportunities that align with their qualifications and interests.
Sandra's key responsibilities as the Training and Employability Lead include working closely with the CEO to develop and implement a strategic vision for our programs, managing a team of project coordinators, and directly supporting service users through coaching and workshops. Sandra’s role also extends to building partnerships with local agencies while ensuring effective monitoring and evaluation of all activities. Notably, Sandra's contribution to securing funding and reporting to funders is crucial for the sustainability and growth of our services.
Asia leads The Welcoming’s community engagement and advocacy work in close collaboration with the CEO. She is dedicated to strengthening social cohesion, raising awareness of migration and displacement, and ensuring New Scots’ voices are heard in policy discussions.
Through partnerships with the local host community, New Scots, and key organisations, Asia strives to promote community empowerment, advocates for smaller refugee communities, and supports lasting, positive change across Edinburgh.
Managing our finances and bookkeeping. Preparing budgets and management accounts. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, external stakeholders and funders.
Alex is responsible for Administration and HR at the Welcoming. This includes making sure our office is a welcoming and inviting space, making sure things run efficiently behind the scenes, and supporting other staff with anything they need.
Development Workers and Coordinators
Coordinating our free English classes and courses for New Scots. Supporting our volunteer teachers to deliver classes. Supervising the delivery of activities with the CEC Resettlement Programme.
Coordinating group activities for New Scots as part of the Befriending Programme. Supporting New Scots to make connections, develop friendships and feel at home in their new communities.
In her role as Holistic Case Worker, Kate provides independent advocacy and tailored information and guidance for New Scots.
She supports service users through drop-in advice surgeries, one-to-one appointments and information workshops.
Laura organises and runs the Getting Ready for Opportunities and Work (GROW) course as part of the employability team. These courses support New Scots in preparing for work in Scotland and are run continuously throughout the year.
In her role, Laura offers support and guidance to New Scots on any issues around employment and helps to prepare them for the workplace.
Responsible for running The Welcoming’s Home Energy programme, providing free and impartial home energy advice and support to New Scots households in Edinburgh.
Monika's role involves delivering one-to-one advice appointments, home energy visits, and information workshops to support New Scots households to effectively manage their energy bills and address fuel debts.
Monika also works as Administrator at reception on Fridays.
Jenni manages the website, social media and press relations for The Welcoming. Supporting the leadership team with planning campaigns and fundraising.
In her role, Jenni supports the team in creating relevant and engaging communications and marketing materials to showcase activities and achievements, as well as helping to organise events and workshops at The Welcoming.
Email for press enquiries and campaign collaborations.