SRA is seeking to recruit a new Chair who is passionate about rural Scotland and well connected in this context, has strong leadership skills and a track record in the management and funding of organisations. This is a high profile and important position in the rural sector in Scotland. The Chair will play a critical role in the development of SRA as an organization and in shaping and positioning SRA in terms of the wider rural agenda, including the development of the Scottish rural movement.

Scottish Rural Action (SRA) was established in 2013 with the dual objectives of delivering the Scottish Rural Parliament and developing a rural community movement. The biennial Scottish Rural Parliament is now recognised as a strong voice to advocate for rural Scotland; priority rural issues are identified and addressed, working in consultation with local and national interests; a strong relationship with the Scottish Government enables advocacy. The focus of our development activity is now on building Scotland?s rural movement. We are doing this in partnership with the Scottish Government, other organisations and rural communities. This is an exciting challenge, which holds the potential to build an inclusive platform for rural people, interests and places.

SRA itself is also embracing significant changes in the way it is structured and operates, and the Chair will play an important role in this change process. We are particularly interested in developing the pipeline for thought leadership between the grassroots and policy makers, and connecting more with partner organisations with similar ambitions. We aim to embed this change at both Board and Staff level, and we will be recruiting both Staff and Board Members with the capacities to deliver this agenda.

The new Chair will join the Board of Directors and will be appointed at our AGM on February 27, 2020. If you are interested in standing for Chair of SRA please read the job description, discuss with us if necessary, and apply by email, with your CV and covering supporting letter, outlining why you are interested in becoming the Chair of SRA and how you would contribute to its work, according to the duties listed below.

REACH was established on 9th March 2012 to bridge the gap in post diagnostic services across Lanarkshire, to provide support to families who have a young person with an Autism Spectrum Condition living within the authority of South Lanarkshire.

Following a period of working closely within the autism community, it was noted there existed a need to work pan-Lanarkshire to provide much needed support and activities in both North and South Lanarkshire and reflect the diagnostic services used by those within NHS Lanarkshire.

The charity currently employs 23 members of staff and we are also supported by a growing team of volunteers.

You can find out more at our website: reachautism.org.uk

Role Description

We are seeking a new Chair to lead our Board of Trustees. The Chair will show commitment to the organisation and will be able to devote time to it. The Chair is responsible for line managing the organisation’s Project Manager. The Chair and Project Manager will meet, as and when required, to ensure the charity is running smoothly and to make sure the Project Manager is supported to enable him to manage the day to day running of the organisation.

Personal Specification

We are looking for someone with a broad range of skills and experience including:

• Someone who can demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to the charity, its strategic objectives and cause.

• Be able to demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively.

• Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours.

Experience

• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation.

• Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees.

• Experience of chairing meetings and events.

Knowledge and skills

• Broad knowledge and understanding of the charity sector and current issues affecting it

• Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate and bring people together.

• Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity finance issues.

• Good understanding of charity governance issues.

REACH was established on 9th March 2012 to bridge the gap in post diagnostic services across Lanarkshire, to provide support to families who have a young person with an Autism Spectrum Condition living within the authority of South Lanarkshire.

Following a period of working closely within the autism community, it was noted there existed a need to work pan-Lanarkshire to provide much needed support and activities in both North and South Lanarkshire and reflect the diagnostic services used by those within NHS Lanarkshire.

The charity currently employs 23 members of staff and we are also supported by a growing team of volunteers.

You can find out more at our website: reachautism.org.uk

Role Description

We are looking for motivated and enthusiastic individuals to join our Board of Trustees and to help us shape the future of our charity. It does not matter if you have never been a Board member before - we’re more interested in the skills, enthusiasm and perspective you can bring to the role. In return we can offer the opportunity to help drive future strategy and the ability to have a direct impact on how our services are delivered across the region. Our current Trustees have a broad range of skills including Teaching, Fundraising, Banking, Administration and Management expertise. The Board will expect to hold 9 meetings each year. Other commitments can include attending the AGM and joining sub-committees, as needed, in order to ensure the strategic direction and governance of our charity.

A knowledge, and or experience, of Autism and the challenges that many families face when living with a child with additional support needs would also be beneficial but is not essential. We are looking for people who are keen to help us move the charity forward and help us support our families.

"Make a lasting difference, promote opportunity, create choice and enable change"

Routes to Work South is a company limited by guarantee that has been delivering services to the people and businesses of South Lanarkshire for over 20 years. RTWS aims to support those whose needs are greatest, reducing the impact of poverty and providing a wide range of training and employment related opportunities.

The Role

Our current Board has a wealth of experience and knowledge of South Lanarkshire and the sector, bringing passion and commitment to supporting RTWS staff in making our vision a reality. Working closely with the Chair, fellow RTWS Board Members and the Chief Executive, you will play a key role in contributing to the development of strategy, management of risk and overall governance of our organisation. We are looking to bring complementary skill-sets and experience to our Board, and would be keen to hear from you if you have experience in the following areas:

• Customer Service
• Finance
• HR
• Quality
• Marketing/Social Media

About Routes to Work South

RTWS is a well established and successful Charity, working in the local authority area of South Lanarkshire with 4 centrally located hubs covering the localities of Cambuslang/Rutherglen, Blantyre/Hamilton, East Kilbride and Rural Clydesdale.

Our hubs are sited alongside partner organisations and we have policy of co-locating with key stakeholders including Skills Development Scotland, Business Gateway and New College Lanarkshire. Each hub is staffed with employability professionals and offers meeting, training and office space as well as free public access to the internet and IT.

RTWS is a national award winner achieving both a National Training Award and Scottish Working Families Business of the Year for their demand led training and commitment to flexible working and fair work practices. A Living Wage Accredited employer, the Board and Staff are committed to providing first class opportunities and customer service to support personal and business growth.

This is a challenging and exciting time for RTWS. The company operates in a very competitive market successfully tendering for contracts from national organisations including Skills Development Scotland, DWP and Scottish Government as well as local services commissioned by Big Lottery Fund, South Lanarkshire Council and smaller grant making bodies.

Employment and skills are complex and politically sensitive fields. Whether providing pre-employment training, in work training or developing sustainable solutions to address food and fuel insecurity, RTWS aims to reduce the effects of poverty and enable change through flexible, responsive and joined up services.

We want to hear from you if you have a passion for making a difference and an empathy with our charitable aims to alleviate poverty and create lasting change in our most disadvantaged communities.

Please note that this position is non-remunerative (reasonable expenses will be paid) and asks for the following commitment: attendance at our full Board meetings 4 times per year (Tuesday between 5-7pm) with additional voluntary involvement in our sub-committees, also 4 times per year (Tuesday between 11am and 1pm).

We are a Disability Confident Employer and welcome applications from a broad cross-section of the community. We are committed to equality and diversity and our Board are strong advocates of equal opportunities.