We are looking for an enthusiastic community minded individual that will support our Community Development Workers, deliver local Neighbourhood Plans and expand our established Local Area Networks by strengthening relationships with community groups, Third Sector organisations and public services.

The role will contribute to the overall strategic plan of Community Links helping to bring about social change, promoting positive health and wellbeing and to improve the quality of life in our local communities. If you are looking for your next challenge and want to be part of the change to help build sustainable links to improve our communities, then this may be the role for you!

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To build and maintain links with strategic partners in all sectors to ensure plans are aligned and integrated with organisation priorities
• To ensure the effective supervision of Community Development workers by applying Asset Based Community Development processes
• To provide one to one support to Community Development workers on a range of activities/action plans to assist in achieving desired outcomes
• To produce promotional and marketing materials suitable for social media
• To facilitate Forum and Network meetings (in person and online)
• To monitor, evaluate and report on key outcomes and targets for Community Development projects
• Awareness of most recent Scottish Government initiatives, for example 20-minute Neighbourhoods

You will have:

• Previous experience of community development and/or community engagement
• Managed a small team to achieve outcomes and targets
• Enthusiasm, be self-motivated, able to work independently and as part of a team
• Initiative to solve problems and raise potential issues
• Proficiency in Microsoft packages, including Teams
• Experience in promoting relevant information on social media
• Flexibility in your approach to work to meet changing service delivery needs, deadlines, and urgent priorities
• An ability to work flexibly within the community, and be able to manage local community groups/projects
• Excellent communication skills, be a good listener, and work well with people at all levels with a positive approach to problem-solving and project development
• Consideration to the use of resources on the environment and act to minimise the impact
• A full driving license and have reasonable access to a car

Line Manager: Morag Pinion (Chief Executive Officer)

About Community Links

Community Links is an independent Lanarkshire-based Community Anchor organisation. Established in 2002, with a proven track record and passion for working with, encouraging, and supporting communities to co-produce sustainable and meaningful involvement, participation, and community-owned change. We are a value-based organisation, and this is reflected in how we deliver our services and interact with the communities we serve. Our Values are Inclusion, Commitment, Innovation, Respect and Vibrance.

The Project Worker post offers a unique opportunity for someone who is committed to creatively utilising and developing their knowledge and skills in engaging with communities.

• Primarily they will support the delivery of a funded NHS ‘Positive Smoke Free Role Model Programme’, which is already established; to continue existing partner relationships; adhering to already agreed Activity Plans; and acting on recommendations from end of year report.
• There will be a focus on: cultivating strong relationships with local communities; third sector / public service partner organisations; local area networks; and teamwork.

Context: The Positive Smoke-Free Role Models (PSFRM) Community Development programme is funded by NHS Lanarkshire and developed, designed, and facilitated by ourselves to encourage individuals from specific areas of South Lanarkshire to pledge their support in becoming a recognised PSFRM through a Charter-style model by completing a range of activities – regardless of if they are a smoker or not. We use an asset-based community development approach to engage with members of the community to actively promote the vision of achieving a smoke-free Lanarkshire through the programme.

The role will also contribute to the overall strategic plan of Community Links helping to bring about social change, promoting positive health and wellbeing and to improve the quality of life in our local communities. This role offers the potential for a highly motivated individual to join our team.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and support the Positive Smoke free role model project across South Lanarkshire
• Work with current contractual arrangements with NHS personnel to achieve the project outcomes, to capture and share their work and messages in new ways, using a range of multimedia:
• Work with people at all levels, building and maintaining links with strategic partners in all sectors to ensure plans are aligned and integrated with the project priorities.
• Monitor the project by attendance at strategic meetings, submitting general updates and reports.
• Create content for promotion on social media and target advertising.
• Conduct focus groups at community level, for example at schools / community groups.
• Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and development and participate in any training opportunities.
• Adhere to Community Links Data Protection and GDPR polices and protocols.

This job description is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities/requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and while some variation can be expected in particular duties, the outline is considered to provide a reasonable general role description.

Essentially You will have:

• Previous experience of community engagement processes and social media channels
• Enthusiasm, be self-motivated, able to work independently and as part of a team
• Initiative to solve problems and raise potential issues
• Proficiency in Microsoft packages, including Teams
• Flexibility in your approach to work to meet changing service delivery needs, deadlines, and urgent priorities
• Work collaboratively to secure economic stability and sustainability
• Excellent communication skills, be a good listener, and work well with people at all levels with a positive approach to problem-solving and project development
• Consideration to the use of resources on the environment and act to minimise the impact
• A full driving license and have reasonable access to a car

About Community Links

Community Links (South Lanarkshire) is an independent Lanarkshire-based Community Anchor organisation. Established in 2002, with a proven track record and passion for working with, encouraging, and supporting communities to co-produce sustainable and meaningful involvement, participation, and community-owned change. We are a value-based organisation, and this is reflected in how we deliver our services and interact with the communities we serve. Our Values are Inclusion, Commitment, Innovation, Respect and Vibrance.

Community Links is looking for an enthusiastic community-minded individual to support our Community Development team, deliver local Neighbourhood Plans and expand our established Local Area Networks by strengthening relationships with community groups, third sector organisations, and public services. We are seeking an individual who is empathetic, understanding, and who is passionate about improving opportunities and life chances in the communities we serve.

The role will also contribute to the overall strategic plan of Community Links, helping to: bring about social change; promote positive health and wellbeing; support actions which contribute to net zero targets; and improve the quality of life in our local communities.

About the role:

The Community Development Worker post offers a unique opportunity for someone who is committed to creatively utilising and developing their knowledge and skills in engaging with communities, providing services and acting as a connector for local people to access additional services they may need, and getting more involved in their community.

There will be a focus on: raising awareness and involving communities in the development of our projects and community relationships; cultivating strong relationships with Local Area Networks, local communities, and third sector / public service partner organisations; developing resources and materials; and teamwork; and continuing our existing online presence.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support and develop already-established community hubs; continue and develop existing partner relationships; prioritise, plan and implement community-led action for community capacity building and net zero
• Work with people at all levels, local community volunteer groups, to ensure plans are aligned and integrated with the project priorities
• Work with other team members to promote activities and opportunities to our wider communities
• Cascade training to local people to create a network of Community Climate Change Champions
• Support and assist with planning and monitoring the projects - namely local neighbourhood plans - whilst collecting evidence, stories and testimonies
• Create content for promotion on social media and target advertising
• Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and development and participate in any training opportunities

This job description is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities/requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and while some variation can be expected.

You will:

• Have relevant qualification or experience in Community Development processes.
• Be enthusiastic and self-motivated, able to work independently and as part of a team
• Consider the use of resources on the environment, act to minimise the impact, and contribute to net zero targets
• Have the initiative to solve problems and raise potential issues
• Be proficient in Microsoft packages, including Teams
• Be flexible in your approach to work to meet changing service delivery needs, deadlines, and urgent priorities
• Work collaboratively to secure economic stability and sustainability
• Have excellent communication skills, be a good listener, and work well with people at all levels with a positive approach to problem-solving and project development
• Have a full driving license, with reasonable access to a car

Notes - About Community Links:

Community Links (South Lanarkshire) is an independent Lanarkshire-based Community Anchor organisation. Established in 2002, with a proven track record and passion for working with, encouraging, and supporting communities to co-produce sustainable and meaningful involvement, participation, and community-owned change. We are a value-based organisation, and this is reflected in how we deliver our services and interact with the communities we serve. Our Values are Inclusion, Commitment, Innovation, Respect and Vibrance.

Blended Working

Community Links is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive culture and environment for you to work, recognising and supporting ways to balance your personal needs alongside the professional needs of the organisation and its service users.

Our approach to working flexibly is designed to help you balance your life. If you would like some flexibility, then please feel free to discuss this with us and your request will be reviewed subject to organisational needs.

Our blended working approach will allow you to split time between our office, working from home, or on-site at our community hubs, depending on the nature of your role.