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Top job! Strategic Communications Lead
- Full time
- £54,449
- The Promise Scotland office is located in Charlotte House, 2 South Charlotte Street in Edinburgh. There is also a collaborative space in Glasgow. Flexible working arrangements will also apply to this role and an element of home working will be supported (Hybrid)
- Closing 12th April 2024
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the conclusions of the Independent Care Review.
It works with all kinds of organisations to support shifts in policy, practice, and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults, and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential.
The Promise Scotland’s sole reason for being is to facilitate and support change, wherever that change needs to happen to make sure that Scotland will #KeepThePromise.
More information can be found in the below resources
Independent Care Review Reports
Information about the forthcoming Plan 24-30
Find out more at thepromise.scot
Job Purpose – Strategic Communications Lead
This is a new cross-organisational role within The Promise Scotland for an experienced communications strategist. The postholder will develop a strong, central communications function with a focus on:
- Communications strategy – revising, updating and implementing a strategic communication framework based on
audience insight, including:
- Strategic overview of stakeholder engagement
- Strategic overview of in-house media and external media liaison
- Ensuring that language, tone and brand values are consistent in all communications
- across the organisation.
- Ensuring that the voice of care experienced children and adults, and those working alongside them, is at the heart of The Promise Scotland’s communications.
- Political engagement
- Leading work which helps ensure that relevant political stakeholders across Scotland are aware of and engaged in work to #KeepThePromise.
- Collaborating with other teams on wider stakeholder engagement.
- In-house digital communications
- Ensuring strategic use of owned media channels, including website and social media.
- Leading reactive social media and online communications work.
- Media liaison
- Building relations with external media,
- Responding to media queries
- Panning proactive media events.
You will be an outstanding all-round communicator, comfortable working in high pressure environments and adept at working collaboratively.
You will possess strategic communications expertise, pairing this with a strong track record of delivery, as well as substantial experience of planning and delivering communications strategies.
You will have excellent writing skills, strong organisational skills and will help grow a positive culture of delivery and good decision-making across content and engagement.
Experience of delivering communications with senior leaders is essential, with the authority and credibility to lead teams and to influence and engage senior leadership colleagues and external partners in complex situations. You will also have proven experience of leading and supporting a small team, including line management.
As part of a small, agile organisation, you will also be happy to undertake the whole gamut of communications work from writing copy and responding to media queries to handling high-profile, sensitive announcements.
Policy Officer
- Full time
- £29,805
- The Promise Scotland office is located in Charlotte House, 2 South Charlotte Street in Edinburgh. There is also an office in Glasgow. Flexible working arrangements will also apply to this role and an element of home working will be supported.
- Closing 18th August 2023
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the conclusions of the Independent Care Review.
It works with all kinds of organisations to support shifts in policy, practice, and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults, and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential.
The Promise Scotland’s sole reason for being is to facilitate and support change, wherever that change needs to happen to make sure that Scotland will #KeepThePromise.
More information can be found in the below resources
Independent Care Review Reports
Find out more at thepromise.scot
Job Purpose
The Promise Scotland works with all organisations who have responsibility for shifting policy, legislation, practice and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential. The Promise Scotland is looking for a dynamic, skilled and motivated Policy Officer to support the organisation’s policy and public affairs work.
The role sits within the Public Affairs team, which has responsibility for:
- Policy & legislative change – supporting and leading on policy and statutory changes essential to keep the promise.
- Strategic communication – developing and adapting a strategic communication framework, including stakeholder and audience management; maintaining appropriate communication channels; ensuring language, tone and brand are consistent across the organisation
- In common with all teams, working closely with colleagues across The Promise Scotland to ensure coherence and consistency across programmes and initiatives.
Main duties of the role
This role is an exciting opportunity for a policy and public affairs professional. As Policy Officer you will provide support to the Public Affairs team and in particular the Policy Lead to develop strategic thinking, advice and positioning. The Promise Scotland’s policy work helps decision makers make choices that will #KeepThePromise. It does this through working with partners, particularly Scottish Government on policy development. This is a particularly exciting time to be joining the team with a commitment to a Promise Bill by the end of this Parliament. This Scottish Government commitment will change the legislative framework around the ‘care system.’ The Promise Scotland will be working with partners to seek to embed the recommendations of the Hearings System Working Group.
Top job! Implementation Lead
- Full time
- £54,449
- The Promise Scotland office is located in Charlotte House, 2 South Charlotte Street in Edinburgh. There is also an office in Glasgow. Flexible working arrangements will also apply to this role and an element of home working will be supported.
- Closing 18th August 2023
Job Context
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the conclusions of the Independent Care Review.
It works with all kinds of organisations to support shifts in policy, practice, and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults, and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential.
The Promise Scotland’s sole reason for being is to facilitate and support change, wherever that change needs to happen to make sure that Scotland will #KeepThePromise.
More information can be found in the below resources
Independent Care Review Reports
Find out more about us at thepromise.scot
A temporary role has arisen as Implementation Lead within The Promise Scotland. The successful candidate will join our multi-disciplinary team and work closely with our Promise Delivery Partners to ensure Scotland #keepsthepromise. Promise Delivery Partners, with a particular commitment to an allocated region, have responsibility to develop and maintain support relationships with key individuals and groups within the sector. They work to surface learning and innovation; to provide spaces for connection and reflection that help people move through implementation barriers; and ultimately act as anchor to the voice of the care experienced community that underpins the independent care review. The Implementation Lead will have a key role in driving this work forward with the team.
Job Purpose – Implementation Lead
This role sits within the Support Team. You will have responsibility for:
- Working with stakeholders across Scotland to ensure that change happens with the voice of the care experienced community at the heart.
- Supporting those with statutory responsibility to #KeepThePromise with their planning and progress using implementation methodologies and strategic and operational tools.
- Leading Communities of Interest which allow for sharing ‘what works’ and igniting new ideas across a range of different partner organisations
- Facilitating, enabling and supporting change, providing a shared focus for collaborative implementation and joint working, ensuring the collective resources and capabilities are maximised across Scotland.
- Working with stakeholders to engage with, and contribute to, the ongoing Change Programmes to ensure that all the Calls for Action detailed in The Promise are systematically embedded into national and local plans.
- Working closely with colleagues in Insights, Governance & Operations and Public Affairs teams to build strong connections and relationships that allow The Promise Scotland to plan, recommend and enhance its engagement and support offers.
- Represent The Promise Scotland in relevant meetings and events.
Main duties of this role
- Direct the delivery of the support offering of The Promise Scotland through meticulously planned and choreographed ‘engagement’ with key stakeholders.
- Work with colleagues within The Promise Scotland Team, to plan and deliver activity to support the Plan 2021-24 and the Change Programme.
- Proactively support stakeholders to translate their commitment into practice and culture changes, aligned with wider contexts, championing the appreciative tone of the Care Review, always signposting to existing offerings and avoid creating dependency, aiming to transfer and embed methodology and skills.
- Support the development and
deployment of The Promise Scotland feedback loop which will:
- build relationships, foster partnership and collaborative implementation approaches and cement organizational buy-in to mitigate against mission drift;
- make sure all stakeholders fully understand their role and responsibility to change and are committed to doing so in line with Plan 21-24 (and beyond) and the change programme, as updated annually and considering the critical role of the care community in all aspects.
- set out mutual expectations,
including
- any specific asks from The Promise to drive changes
- any specific asks of The Promise for support to realise change
- gather data and information not easily available but of importance to the Care Review’s conclusions and in close alignment with the evidence team.
- Hold implementation relationships with key stakeholders, strategically aligning their needs with the wider programme of change to ensure resources are maximised and opportunities are capitalised on.
- Provide a key link between key stakeholders and The Promise Scotland to support their contribution to the Change Programme.
- Facilitate listening, reflection and self-diagnosis by stakeholders to understand the bridges and barriers to making change and document learning for continuous improvement.
- Employ the ‘Join the Dots’ approach as part of The Plan 2021-2024's change programme by supporting communities of interest, sharing learning, building knowledge and skills, and ensuring a wide understanding of what works where and why (as well as what doesn’t work).
Person Profile
An approachable, innovative and creative individual, you will have sufficient experience at senior management level ideally within a practice, policy or organisational development environment.
As an accomplished communicator, you will have instant credibility when engaging with individual and groups, coupled with the ability to work with a diverse range of stakeholders. We are interested in people who;
Attributes
- Are passionate about change.
- Can evidence a strong values base.
- Exercise good judgement.
- Have high levels of personal and professional integrity.
- Are confident in their own knowledge and are able to give advice to others.
- Have significant personal drive and resilience.
Knowledge
- Have an understanding of the Independent Care Review and The Promise.
- Have good awareness and understanding of the contemporary issues associated with the care and protection of children in Scotland.
- Are aware of the life-long impact of trauma on children, young people and adults and the importance of trauma-informed practice.
- Understand the underpinning principles of service and system change, improvement and implementation.
Skills
- Can bring a diligent, analytical approach to complex problem solving which sees issues in context.
- Can absorb a wide range of complex information and develop solutions on both strategic and operational issues.
- Have strong skills in the creation and dissemination of audience specific information in formats which are easy to understand and encourage engagement.
- Are skilled in working strategically with a range of partners, including families and communities, colleagues and stakeholders in the public, private and third sectors.
- Have good organisational and time-management skills, with a flexible and proactive approach to work.
- Can demonstrate good written communication skills.
Experience
- Have experience of working to deliver change in the children’s sector or similar.
- Have the energy, enthusiasm and drive to lead a fast-paced programme of change.
- Have excellent influencing and relationship-building skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
- Can be an effective contributor to the team holding the skills required to work in compassionate collaboration with others.
- Are able to work independently, manage own workload and work flexibly to meet work demands and tight deadlines
Working Conditions
The Promise Scotland’s normal place of work is Charlotte House, Edinburgh. The Promise Scotland operates flexible working arrangements seeking to meet the needs of its individual team members whilst also being able to fulfil the activities set out in Plan 21-24, within a positive and supportive team culture and environment.
Public Affairs and Communications Officer
- Full time
- Circa £24,000
- Charlotte House, Edinburgh with hybrid working
- Closing 15th May 2023
Job Context
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the conclusions of the Independent Care Review.
It works with all kinds of organisations to support shifts in policy, practice, and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults, and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential.
The Promise Scotland’s sole reason for being is to facilitate and support change, wherever that change needs to happen to make sure that Scotland will #KeepThePromise.
More information can be found in the below resources:
Find out more at www.thepromise.scot
The role sits within the Public Affairs team, which has responsibility for:
- Policy & legislative change – supporting and leading on policy and statutory changes essential to #KeepThePromise.
- Strategic communication – developing and adapting a strategic communication framework, including stakeholder and audience management; maintaining appropriate communication channels; ensuring language, tone and brand are consistent across the organisation.
- In common with all teams, working closely with colleagues across The Promise Scotland to ensure coherence and consistency across programmes and initiatives.
Job Purpose
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the findings of the Care Review.
It works with all organisations who have responsibility or wish to support shifts in policy, practice and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential.
The Public Affairs and Communications Officer has particular responsibility for:
- Research, generating and writing communications content.
- Supporting the broad work of the Public Affairs team with administration, diary support, room bookings etc
- Being an organisation point person for Promise Scotland assets for reports, social media, presentations.
- Providing policy and communications support for both the wider team.
Top job! Finance and Central Services Manager
- Full time
- Circa £41,000
- Edinburgh. Flexible arrangements including some home working.
- Closing 20th March 2023
Job context
The Promise Scotland is a non-statutory company responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the conclusions of the Independent Care Review.
It works with all kinds of organisations to support shifts in policy, practice, and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults, and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential.
The Promise Scotland’s sole reason for being is to facilitate and support change, wherever that change needs to happen to make sure that Scotland will #KeepThePromise.
More information can be found in the below resources
Independent Care Review Reports
Find out more at thepromise.scot
The role sits within the Governance and Operations team, which has responsibility for ensuring The Promise Scotland is a well-run, effective and efficient organisation:
- Leading the financial management of the company.
- Working as an effective business partner with colleagues across the organisation to ensure finance and central services functions are embedded and working efficiently.
- Leading organisational planning to secure the sustainable running of the organisation for the duration of The Promise Scotland’s lifetime (to 2030).
- Supporting the Board of Directors, including full Directors’ meetings and committee meetings.
- Providing leadership and support on all areas of legal compliance, including company law, data protection, health and safety and Freedom of Information.
- Ensuring The Promise Scotland’s staff recruitment and development policies and procedures reflect best-practice and are appropriately implemented.
- Coordinating the independent secretariat function for the Promise Oversight Board.
- Supporting the day-to-day business needs of the team.
Job Purpose
The Promise Scotland is looking for a highly motivated person to consolidate the finance and central services functions and further develop excellent organisational processes.
The Finance and Central Services Manager works alongside colleagues across the organisation to deliver services and provide advice and support on all aspects of finance, risk, HR and business planning.
Main duties of this role
The Finance and Central Services Manager will lead the day-to-day work to deliver excellent cross-organisational services and contribute to organisational strategy and resourcing.
The Manager will:
- Produce accurate and timely financial reports and analysis that support Directors and colleagues to make sound business decisions, as well as ensuring on-time reporting to the company’s funders.
- Work with team Heads to provide financial analysis to support their planning and decision-making.
- Develop, refine and monitor financial budgets and drive performance, in conjunction with the Management Accountant, who works on a consultancy basis, to maximise the impact of the company in partnership with the Finance and Audit & Risk Committees.
- Lead on regulatory requirements in relation to year-end financial responsibilities and audit.
- Work closely with the Head of Governance and Operations and the CEO to define the path for sustainability and development of the organisation to 2030, ensuring consideration of financial evidence and analysis.
- Lead on regulatory requirements including Companies House, freedom of Information, data protection and health and safety.
- Lead on organisational risk management and mitigation processes.
- Lead on contract negotiation and management with main suppliers and facilities management.
- Work closely with colleagues across The Promise Scotland team to support on-going planning and delivery of the overall programme of work.
- Work with the Senior Finance and Administration Officer and external HR consultant to embed excellent HR practices and policies.
- Be responsible for the line management and development of the Senior Finance and Administration Officer, in line with The Promise Scotland’s people management values, culture, and procedures, and contribute as a manager in The Promise Scotland team.
Essential and Desirable Criteria
Essential
- Experience of working in a similar role focused on financial management and excellent services.
- High-level budgeting and financial reporting skills.
- Financially astute, articulate and technically strong with the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
- High integrity and openness combined with commitment to good governance.
- An interest in applying digital technology to provide solutions to public sector challenges.
- Analytical thinking, independent judgment, and discretion in handling personnel issues.
- Excellent written, verbal and digital communication skills, including a track-record of writing clear, accessible reports to senior colleagues and Board members and exceptional attention to detail.
- The ability to work under pressure, make decisions and to solve problems. Able to deal with conflicting and challenging demands, identify solutions and prioritise work whilst ensuring that a high-quality service is provided and that deadlines are met.
- Experience of business partnering, working collaboratively, building, and nurturing strong relationships across different teams and managing relationships with a range of internal and external interests to ensure delivery of key priorities.
- Strong knowledge of administrative software packages.
Desirable
- Qualified accountant, member of an accountancy body or holder of an equivalent qualification.
- Experience with compliance including but not limited to Companies House, data protection, freedom of information and health and safety.
- Experience of working with Xero accountancy software.
- Lived experience of care and/or deep, demonstrable understanding of the principles established by the Care Review.
Working Conditions
The Promise Scotland is based in Charlotte House, in Central Edinburgh. Flexible working arrangements will be considered for this role, as long as the key business needs are met. The Promise Scotland strives for a positive and supportive team culture and environment.
Manager – Doing Data Differently
- Full time
- £41,239
- Edinburgh. Flexible arrangements including some home working.
- Closing 30th January 2023
An exciting opportunity has come up to join The Promise Scotland within the Insights team.
The Promise Scotland is looking for a highly motivated person to provide maternity cover for our current Doing Data Differently Manager.
Primarily project-managing The Promise Data Map, the Doing Data Differently manager role will involve working alongside colleagues at national, local, and service levels to deliver data improvement programmes. Specifically, improvement programmes aimed at ensuring that the way data is collected, analysed and used in Scotland, aligns to the promise and what matters to children and families.
About you
This role would suit someone with excellent project management skills and a strong interest in novel ways of using data, evidence and research to understand and support the needs of children and families. The ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders and share insights in a user-friendly way is crucial, so that these can support Scotland in its’ work to #KeepthePromise.
Job context
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the conclusions of the Independent Care Review. It works with all kinds of organisations to support shifts in policy, practice, and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults, and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential.
The Promise Scotland’s sole reason for being is to facilitate and support change, wherever that change needs to happen to make sure that Scotland will #KeepThePromise.
More information can be found in the below resources
Independent Care Review Reports
Find out more at thepromise.scot
Working Conditions
The Promise Scotland operates flexible working arrangements, seeking to meet the needs of its individual team members while also able to fulfil the activities set out in Plan 21-24, within a positive and supportive team culture and environment.
A full Job Description is available for download below.
Promise Delivery Partner: Fife and Tayside
- Full time
- £41,239
- The Promise Scotland office is located in Charlotte House, 2 South Charlotte Street in Edinburgh. Flexible working arrangements will also apply to this role and an element of home working will be supported.
- Closing 20th January 2023
Promise Delivery Partner: Fife and Tayside (Dundee, Angus, Fife and Perth & Kinross)
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the conclusions of the Independent Care Review.
It works with all kinds of organisations to support shifts in policy, practice, and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults, and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential.
The Promise Scotland’s sole reason for being is to facilitate and support change, wherever that change needs to happen to make sure that Scotland will #KeepThePromise.
More information can be found in the below resources
Independent Care Review Reports
Find out more about us at thepromise.scot
A role has arisen in our Support Team to join our multi-disciplinary team of Promise Delivery Partners. Delivery Partners develop pro-active supportive relationships with key partners, including national agencies, local authorities, voluntary sector organisations, corporate parents and other national bodies supporting the change required to keep the Promise.
The Promise Delivery Partners, with a particular commitment to an allocated region, have responsibility to develop and maintain support relationships with key individuals and groups within the sector. They work to surface learning and innovation; to provide spaces for connection and reflection that help people move through implementation barriers; and ultimately to act as anchor to the voice of the care experienced community that underpins the independent care review.
Working Conditions
The Promise Scotland’s normal place of work is Charlotte House, Edinburgh. The Promise Scotland operates flexible working arrangements seeking to meet the needs of its individual team members whilst also being able to fulfil the activities set out in Plan 21-24, within a positive and supportive team culture and environment.
A full Job Description is available for download below.
Top job! Head of Support (Secondments will be considered)
- Full time
- Circa £65,000
- Charlotte House, Edinburgh
- Closing 19th December 2022
In October 2016, after meeting with and listening to children and young people in care, Scotland’s First Minister announced, “an independent, root and branch review of the care system” to look at “the underpinning legislation, practices, culture and ethos”. The aim was to identify and deliver lasting change in Scotland’s ‘care system’, leaving a legacy that will transform the wellbeing of infants, children and young people. The Independent Care Review began work in February 2017 and concluded on 5 February 2020 with the publication of seven reports.
On the same day, in the Scottish Parliament, the First Minister pledged to #KeepThePromise, a commitment that got the support of all political parties. Over 5,500 children and adults engaged with the Review and organisations, institutions, bodies, communities and groups all across Scotland also pledged to #KeepThePromise.
Between February 2020 and March 2021, due to COVID-19 restrictions, a small team from the Independent Care Review was incubated within Scottish Government to set up and start work to #KeepThePromise. Its achievements included:
- Detailed and robust engagement with a wide range of organisations on the actions, identified in the Review as necessary for change and to deliver transformation of Scotland’s ‘care system’. This has also included detailed analysis of the responses from over 100 organisations on the work they are taking forward to #KeepThePromise.
- Appointed an Oversight Board, with at least 50% representation of people with lived experience of Scotland’s system of care.
- Produced Plan 21-24, published in March 2021.
On 24 March 2021, The Promise Scotland was established as a legal entity and operates independently of Scottish Government. Its function is, ‘to support and monitor the implementation of the conclusions of the Independent Care Review until 2030, at the latest.’
Following significant engagement with every children’s services partnership and key national agencies, The Promise Scotland published Change Programme ONE on June 25 2021. This includes 25 actions required to be delivered by 2024 for Plan 21- 24 to be fully implemented and the goal of the promise being kept by 2030, and The Promise Scotland becoming obsolete. It also includes the support offers, which The Promise Scotland will lead to achieve the changes required. The Promise Scotland provides the secretariat for The Promise Oversight Board and on Thursday 26 May 2022, it published its first report.
Job Purpose – Head of Support
Scotland must maintain the focus required to #KeepThePromise which requires all organisations with responsibility for children and families to develop and implement proactive and dynamic approaches to engaging with infants, children, young people and their families for meaningful change to be achieved and sustained.
The Promise Scotland will support organisations by facilitating innovative work that involves children and families in service redesign and improvement and identifying appropriate and diverse means of communication and engagement in the pursuit of achieving change.
The Promise Scotland wishes to harness and support the people who are committed to #KeepThePromise and who want to lead the changes set out in Plan 21-24. They will include members of the paid and unpaid workforce, volunteers and citizens concerned to do what is right for children and young people. The Head of Support leads a team of 11 people in The Promise Scotland, supporting networks of Communities of Interest and ‘Promise Keepers’ across Scotland to pursue local and national activity to #KeepThePromise.
The postholder is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, working to the Chief Executive and alongside the Head of Insight, the Head of Governance and Operations and the Head of Public Affairs. The Senior Leadership Team has overall responsibility for ensuring The Promise Scotland is meeting its obligations in support of Scotland’s mission to #KeepThePromise by 2030 and is accountable to a Board of Directors.
Role Specification
Thoughtful, determined and committed, you will have a deep understanding of the principles which underpinned the Independent Care Review and how the legacy of learning and acting on the experiences described of life in care or on the edges of care, must be honoured throughout The Promise Scotland’s ambition to support the changes that must happen to #KeepThePromise by 2030, at the very latest.
You will be an experienced change leader who understands the challenges of complex cultural change and be able to work alongside a diverse range of individuals and organisations to make change happen, with children, young people and families at the heart of everything you do. You will be an experienced team leader and programme manager. You will be comfortable with both leading and supporting others, internally and externally.
Main Activities
- To participate fully as a member of the Senior Leadership Team to retain organisational focus on fulfilling the role and responsibility of The Promise Scotland, establishing enabling working practices and culture.
- To lead an experienced team of Promise Delivery Partners, enabling them to develop trusting relationships with and provide tailored support to organisations with statutory responsibilities to ensure they:
- Plan and implement changes to their strategy, practice and culture to #KeepThePromise, aligning activity towards Plan 21-24 and the accompanying Change Programmes;
- Retain a focus on what matters to children and families.
- To work with the Promise Delivery Partners to identify universal responses to the needs of organisations with statutory responsibilities, including:
- signposting wherever possible and sharing examples of innovative and effective practice;
- identifying gaps in provision and coming up with ways of filling those gaps
- building new ways of working, through the development of support offers, including:
- Communities of Interest and Practice;
- Sharing learning and expertise.
- To support the roll-out the Promise Design School programme, in keeping with its founding principles and in support of tangible, measurable change, and in doing so:
- working in partnership, actively engaging children and families in service design and;
- evaluating impact.
- As part of the Senior Leadership Team, to ensure The Promise Scotland’s Feedback Loop captures all engagements, and, more importantly, learning.
- To work closely with the Head of Insights, to ensure internal sharing of evidence and data about what is working, where and why; what is not working, where and why; and what else is needed, where and why.
- To work closely with the Head of Public Affairs, to identify legislative and policy barriers to change, in preparation for introduction of The Promise Bill.
- To contribute to the overall management and leadership of The Promise Scotland team, modelling and supporting organisational values of listening, reflection, compassion in support of continuous improvement and developing an understanding of the challenges involved in achieving change.
- To lead and manage the Support Team, supporting their performance and development.
Essential Criteria
- Skilled at building strong, collaborative, relationships and influencing outcomes.
- Experience of leading service delivery and change at a senior level, either in the children’s sector and/or wider public services, ideally with a focus on the care experienced community
- Working collaboratively in a leadership team to plan, direct, support, challenge and lead performance and improvement.
- Highly developed project management and reporting skills.
- Exceptional written, verbal and digital communication skills.
- Ability to absorb a wide range of complex information and develop solutions on both strategic and operational issues and have an ability to think analytically in the evaluation of competing needs.
- As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, to take shared and collective responsibility for leading The Promise Scotland team, supporting and fostering a positive approach to learning, development and improvement.
- Able to work proactively and with agility, to manage own workload and work flexibly to meet work demands and tight deadlines.
- An understanding of the political landscape in Scotland with particular insight into the challenges of public service reform and of engaging meaningfully with those who need and use these services.
- Lived experience of the care system and/or a deep, demonstrable understanding of the principles established by the Independent Care Review.
Working Conditions
The Promise Scotland’s office is at Charlotte House, 2 South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh. As an organisation we are committed to supporting our colleagues to work flexibly.
Pension
The Promise Scotland has a pension scheme that employees will be contractually enrolled into, making a minimum contribution of 5.5% of their qualifying earnings, with The Promise Scotland contributing 13%. Employees may opt out at any time.
Executive Assistant and Governance Coordinator
- Full time
- Circa £33,000
- Edinburgh
- Closing 13th October 2022
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the conclusions of the Independent Care Review. It works with all kinds of organisations to support shifts in policy, practice, and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults, and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential.
The Promise Scotland’s sole reason for being is to facilitate and support change, wherever that change needs to happen to make sure that Scotland will #KeepThePromise.
The role of Executive Assistant and Governance Coordinator sits within the Governance and Operations team, which has responsibility for delivering excellent corporate services, including:
- Internal governance and assurance – leading on robust governance and compliance processes and supporting the Directors of The Promise Scotland to discharge their legal responsibilities.
- Operations – developing and delivering fit-for-purpose HR, finance, IT and other core business operations.
- External governance, accountability, and oversight – providing an independent secretariat to The Promise Oversight Board and leading on the management of collaborative governance programmes.
- In common with all teams, working closely with colleagues across The Promise Scotland to ensure coherence and consistency across programmes and initiatives and to provide flexible support as and when required.
Job Purpose
The Executive Assistant and Governance Coordinator is responsible for supporting the Chair and Chief Executive of The Promise Scotland. You will be a key, trusted member of a small team and the bedrock of support to the most senior leaders of this unique organisation.
You will have responsibility for three main areas of work:
- Providing excellent, proactive executive support to the Chair and Chief Executive, ensuring that their time is planned efficiently and organised effectively.
• Providing The Promise Scotland Directors with sound systems and support.
• Coordinating meetings and support for The Promise Oversight Board, ensuring excellent communication and flow of paperwork.
Non-Executive Directors
- Part time
- Sessional
- Board meetings will be held in Edinburgh.
- Closing 18th July 2022
The Promise Scotland is seeking to appoint independent non-executive directors. This is a unique opportunity to play a critical governance role with one of the most important and challenging change programmes underway in Scotland.
You will have an understanding of, commitment to, and a passion for keeping the promise made to Scotland’s children, young people and families and an understanding of the ‘care system’.
You will display objectivity, fairness, independence of mind, integrity, wisdom, discretion and good judgement in your commitment to act solely in the best interests of The Promise Scotland. With clear strategic vision, you will also have the ability to focus on practical issues. You will be a good team player and ready to take and be accountable for decisions.
Non-executive directors need to be wholeheartedly committed to #KeepThePromise, thoughtful about what is needed, and brave. But you don’t need to have an in-depth knowledge or experience of governance. A comprehensive induction and training will be given to all successful candidates.
Top job! Chief Executive
- Full time
- £95,000
- The Promise Scotland recognises the value of agile working practice. Its office will be at Charlotte House, 2 South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh.
- Closing 18th July 2022
The Promise Scotland is seeking to appoint a Chief Executive. This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the most challenging and important change programmes underway in Scotland.
You will have a deep respect for the principles which underpinned the Independent Care Review and how the legacy of learning and acting on the experiences of life in / on the edges of Scotland’s ‘care system’, must be honoured.
As an experienced leader, you will understand how to support the Promise Scotland team as they navigate the challenges of complex, wholescale change across legislation, policy, investment, data, practice and culture.
You will have an appreciation of the need for collaborative, multi-agency, cross-sector, sequenced implementation to sustain Scotland’s shared purpose to #KeepThePromise. With skills in developing and maintaining partnerships, you will be able to get alongside a diverse range of individuals and organisations, including children, young people and families. You will be alert to the risks, able to identify and manage issues which may impact on pace and progress towards sustainable change and able to deliver challenging messages when required.
You will be committed to Scotland’s promise being kept by 2030 and determined to use all your skills, knowledge and experience to support this. You will recognise the value of influence and the importance of story-telling. You will be thoughtful, determined, brave and committed with a leadership style characterised by honesty and integrity, and an approach that is flexible and empathetic
The Promise Scotland is looking for an experienced policy and public affairs professional to lead the policy function of the organisation.
You will have experience of working at a senior level and be an unflappable and effective communicator in both written and verbal form. You will hold the primary political scanning function ensuring all relevant developments are well considered across the team and The Promise Scotland is well placed to ensure the conclusions of The Independent Care Review are embedded across Scotland’s policy and legislative developments.
If you have experience of working at a senior level, are an unflappable and effective communicator in both written and verbal form, then please consider applying via our website.
The Promise Scotland is looking for an experienced communications professional.
You will have experience of working at a senior level, writing content and telling stories that build and maintain momentum for change. You will hold the primary communications function for The Promise Scotland ensuring that all the outputs are well conceived and delivered to embed the conclusions of The Independent Care Review.
If you have experience of providing confident and calm media and communications advice and developing and maintaining relationships with journalists across platforms then please consider applying via our website.
An exciting opportunity has come up to join the team at The Promise Scotland within the Support team. Are you passionate about creating change and supporting others do the same? If so, we would like to hear from you.
We are now in the process of establishing our Support Team, within The Promise Scotland and the recruitment of several Promise Delivery Partner posts is a very significant milestone. We wish to develop pro-active supportive relationships with key partners, including national agencies, local authorities, voluntary sector organisations, corporate parents and other national bodies supporting the change required to keep The Promise.
The Promise Delivery Partners will have responsibility to develop and maintain support relationships with key individuals and groups within the sector. The Support team currently contains Brian Houston, as Head of Support and two Leads, Thomas Carlton, and Rachael Hood, who will directly line manage and support the Promise Delivery Partners.
About The Promise Scotland
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the conclusions of the Independent Care Review.
It works with all kinds of organisations to support shifts in policy, practice, and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults, and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential.
The Promise Scotland’s sole reason for being is to facilitate and support change, wherever that change needs to happen to make sure that Scotland will #KeepThePromise.
Find out more at thepromise.scot
About you
An approachable, innovative, and creative individual, you will have sufficient experience at senior management level ideally within a practice, policy, or organisational development environment.
As an accomplished communicator, you will have instant credibility when engaging with individual and groups, coupled with the ability to work with a diverse range of stakeholders, developing and maintaining relationships and encouraging increased collaboration.
Manager - Using Money Differently
- Full time
- £41,239
- Edinburgh/ Working from Home
- Closing 7th February 2022
An exciting opportunity has come up to join the team at The Promise Scotland within the Evidence team. Are you passionate about how public services spend their money and how this could be done better? If so, we would like to hear from you.
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the conclusions of the Independent Care Review.
The Care Review produced two reports looking specifically at the human and economic cost of the ‘care system.’ the money and follow the money set out a compelling case for why Scotland needs to use resources differently, to deliver better outcomes for children, families, and communities and, in doing so, deliver better value for money.
Using Money Differently is a key part of Plan 21-24. Initially working closely with an experienced external consultant, The Promise Scotland are now looking to build a small team of highly motivated professionals to progress this workstream over the next three years.
The route-map established for the workstream over the next three years envisages work taking place across three levels: locally, in places and with families; at a service level, in children and families services, particularly whole family support; and nationally, through the design and development of the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund.
The Manager for Using Money Differently will lead the day-to-day work required to deliver the local and service levels of the route-map which form an integral part of Plan 21-24.
About The Promise Scotland
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the findings of the Independent Care Review.
It works with all kinds of organisations to support shifts in policy, practice, and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults, and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential.
The Promise Scotland’s sole reason for being is to facilitate and support change, wherever that change needs to happen to make sure that Scotland will #KeepThePromise.
Find out more at thepromise.scot
About you
You will have experience of working in a similar management or leadership role with a sound understanding of how public finances work and a high level of comfort of being able to gather, organise and analyse complex financial information.
With strong analytical skills and exceptional attention to detail, you will be able to work under pressure and prioritise work. You will have experience of building and nurturing strong relationships both internally and with external stakeholders.
Analyst – Using Money Differently
- Full time
- £27,986
- Edinburgh/ Working from Home
- Closing 7th February 2022
An exciting opportunity has come up to join the team at The Promise Scotland within the Evidence team. Are you passionate about how public services spend their money and interested in how this could be done better? If so, we would like to hear from you.
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the conclusions of the Independent Care Review.
The Care Review produced two reports looking specifically at the human and economic cost of the ‘care system’. the money and follow the money set out a compelling case for why Scotland needs to use resources differently, to deliver better outcomes for children, families and communities and, in doing so, deliver better value for money.
Using Money Differently is a key part of Plan 21-24. Initially working closely with an experienced external consultant, The Promise Scotland are now looking to build a small team of highly motivated professionals to progress this workstream over the next three years.
The route-map established for the workstream over the next three years envisages work taking place across three levels: locally, in places and with families; at a service level, in children and families services, particularly whole family support; and nationally, through the design and development of the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund.
In doing so, there are three questions:
· How are resources used at the moment and to what end?
· How should those resources be used differently, to improve outcomes and value for money?
· What investment is required, and how, to get from where we are now, to where we need to be in future, to #KeepThePromise?
About The Promise Scotland
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the conclusions of the Independent Care Review.
It works with all kinds of organisations to support shifts in policy, practice and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential.
The Promise Scotland’s sole reason for being is to facilitate and support change, wherever that change needs to happen to make sure that Scotland will #KeepThePromise.
Find out more at thepromise.scot
About you
The Analyst will play a critical role in providing expert analytical support to deliver the route-map for Using Money Differently. You will be comfortable working with numbers, be organised and have strong IT skills. You will have a proactive and methodical approach to work with the ability to prioritise and manage your own workload in a new and shifting environment.
Data Manager – Doing Data Differently
- Full time
- £41,239
- Edinburgh/ Working from Home
- Closing 7th February 2022
An exciting opportunity has come up to join the team at The Promise Scotland within the Evidence team. Are you passionate about how data is collected, managed and used, and curious about ways to improve? If so, The Promise Scotland would like to hear from you.
Shifting the data landscape and doing data differently is a key part of Plan 21-24 and Change Programme ONE.
Initially working closely with a multi-disciplinary team, who are building The Promise Data Map as a first step toward this shift,
The Promise Scotland is now looking to build a small team of highly motivated professionals to progress and expand this work over the next three years.
Building on The Promise Data Map, which will go live in summer 2022, the Doing Data Differently workstream will involve working alongside colleagues at national, local and service levels to align data systems, collection and analysis methodologies to what the Independent Care Review heard matters to children and families.
Alongside this work, The Promise Scotland will develop and model new ways of doing data, evidence and monitoring, through its internal processes, and its public facing website and online tools such as the Change Programme.
About The Promise Scotland
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the conclusions of the Independent Care Review.
It works with all kinds of organisations to support shifts in policy, practice and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential.
The Promise Scotland’s sole reason for being is to facilitate and support change, wherever that change needs to happen to make sure that Scotland will #KeepThePromise.
Find out more at thepromise.scot
About you:
You will have experience of working in a similar management or leadership role focused on data and/or evidence in a relevant sector. You pay close attention to detail and have the ability to form clear conclusions and reach informed judgements based on the best evidence available. You will be an excellent communicator with the ability to build and nurture strong relationships both internally and externally to The Promise Scotland.
Data Analyst – Doing Data Differently
- Full time
- £27,986
- Edinburgh/ Working from Home
- Closing 7th February 2022
An exciting opportunity has come up to join the team at The Promise Scotland within the Evidence team. Are you passionate about how data is collected, managed and used, and curious about ways to improve? If so, The Promise Scotland would like to hear from you.
Shifting the data landscape and doing data differently is a key part of Plan 21-24 and Change Programme ONE.
Initially working closely with a multi-disciplinary team, who are building The Promise Data Map as a first step toward this shift, The Promise Scotland is now looking to build a small team of highly motivated professionals to progress and expand this work over the next three years.
Building on The Promise Data Map, which will go live in summer 2022, the Doing Data Differently workstream will involve working alongside colleagues at national, local and service levels to align data systems, collection and analysis methodologies to what the Independent Care Review heard matters to children and families.
Alongside this work, The Promise Scotland will develop and model new ways of doing data, evidence and monitoring, through its internal processes, and its public facing website and online tools such as the Change Programme.
About The Promise Scotland
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the conclusions of the Independent Care Review.
It works with all kinds of organisations to support shifts in policy, practice and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential.
The Promise Scotland’s sole reason for being is to facilitate and support change, wherever that change needs to happen to make sure that Scotland will #KeepThePromise.
Find out more at thepromise.scot
About you:
You will play a critical role in providing expert analytical support to workstreams aimed at shifting Scotland’s data landscape to what matters to children and families. With excellent communication and interpersonal skills, you will have the ability to provide clear and fluent analytical interpretation of data, to tell a story with data, using data visualisation, and strong presentation skills.
A methodical approach to work and an ability to reach informed judgements and clear conclusions, you will be able to adapt to a new and shifting environment.
Promise Scotland is recruiting a Governance Projects Officer to join its dedicated and dynamic Oversight Team. They are searching for a candidate with a solid background in administration, with experience of providing 360° support to boards or committees. The ideal candidate will have strong Microsoft Office skills, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as MS Teams, with the ability to produce high-quality documents. The Promise Scotland is looking for a clear, warm communicator who is highly organised with demonstrable project management skills.
Job context:
The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the findings of the Independent Care Review. It works with all kinds of organisations to support shifts in policy, practice and culture so Scotland can #KeepThePromise it made to care experienced infants, children, young people, adults and their families - that every child grows up loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential.
The Promise Oversight Board is critical to ensuring that the Promise made to Scotland's children and families is kept. The Oversight Board reports to the care community and publicly on the progress made and uses its networks, relationships and governance structure to provide support and guidance wherever necessary.
Job requirements:
The Governance Projects Officer has primary responsibility for:
- The administrative function for the Oversight Board, ensuring they are able to do what is required of them.
- Preparing and collating high quality paper packs for the Board.
- Drafting minutes and monitoring action logs.
- Dealing with Board member queries and responding to their needs.
- Supporting the wider projects of the team, ensuring the smooth running of a range of activities involving internal and external stakeholders.
Events & Administrative Officer
- Full time
- £24,000
- Edinburgh, Home working arrangements will be in place while Scottish Government restrictions remain in place
- Closing 17th August 2021
This role has primary responsibility to manage the administration and support to The Promise Scotland with particular emphasis on working with the Support Team. One of the major aspects of this role will be to organise and manage this team’s external work programme and to co-ordinate the project plans which this team is leading. The administrator will work collaboratively with all members of the organisation to provide an accurate and effective administrative service to the team.
The Events & Administrative Officer will be a highly competent and enthusiastic individual who has demonstrated experience within a complex office environment. They must be proficient, proactive and methodical in their ability and able to prioritise and manage challenges and individual workloads. As this is a public facing role, the individual will be the first point of contact with external contacts so excellent customer service experience is essential. The post holder will provide an efficient and high-quality administrative support service to the team and external contacts ensuring they experience a professional and well-run office.
Website Development Manager
- Full time
- £40,000
- Edinburgh, Home Working Arrangements will be in place while Scottish Government restrictions remain in place.
- Closing 9th August 2021
The Promise Scotland is looking for an individual with experience of project managing website redevelopment. You should have experience of translating an organisation’s vision for their website, and communicating it to web developers, graphic designers, copywriters and other contractors. You will manage the entire life of the project, from conception to live online delivery.
Reporting to the Head of External Affairs, you will gather input from The Promise Scotland team, users and anticipated users of the website to assess expectations and objectives that the website must fulfil. You will create an initial concept and, working with the External Affairs Team, project manage from concept to live delivery, while reporting in regularly on progress.
Top job! Promise Design School Programme Lead
- Full time
- Circa £50,000
- Edinburgh, Home working arrangements will be in place while Scottish Government restrictions remain in place.
- Closing 13th August 2021
The Promise Design School Programme Lead will lead the overarching planning activity for the entire Promise Design School Programme, using Plan 21-24 and accompanying Change Programmes to set and monitor milestones to keep the Promise Design School Programme on track and within budget, managing risks and dependencies, and overseeing governance and quality assurance activity.
Reporting to the Head of Support and working closely with members of The Promise Scotland team and partner, the Scottish Government’s Office of the Chief Design Office (OCDO), change will be facilitated, enabled and supported by providing a shared focus for collaborative implementation and joint working, using service redesign and quality improvement principles, approaches and tools.
The Promise Design School Programme Lead, in collaboration with OCDO, will seek to identify and maximise the available skills and expertise in service design, redesign and quality improvement across Scotland to ensure the collective resources and capabilities are maximized across Scotland.
Fundamental to the role is working with organisations and others across Scotland to ensure that change happens with the voice of the care experienced community at its heart, ensuring meaningful change is embedded and progress is made in ways that meet the needs and aspirations of the care community.
Top job! Head of Support
- Full time
- £60,000 – £65,000
- Edinburgh. Home Working Arrangements will be in place while Scottish Government restrictions remain in place.
- Closing 9th August 2021
Thoughtful, determined and committed, you will have a deep understanding of the principles which underpinned the Independent Care Review and how the legacy of learning and acting on the experiences described of life in care or on the edges of care, must be honoured throughout The Promise Scotland’s ambition to support the changes that must happen to #KeepThePromise by 2030.
You will be an experienced change leader who understands the challenges of complex cultural change and able to work alongside a diverse range of individuals and organisations to make change happen, with children, young people and families involved at all times. You will be an experienced team leader and programme manager. You will be comfortable with both leading and supporting others, internally and externally.