Charity registered in Scotland SC023181
AdvoCard is a well-established and highly regarded advocacy organisation in Edinburgh. Primarily providing independent advocacy to individuals affected by mental ill-health, we work individually and collectively with a range of advocacy partners to ensure their voices are heard and their rights upheld.
We are looking for an experienced leader who can build on our success and lead the organisation forward at this exciting but challenging time. You will lead a team of knowledgeable staff and volunteers who take pride in AdvoCard’s unique services. You will be an experienced manager with excellent communication skills, and have experience in strategic planning, staff management, raising an organisation's profile and securing ongoing funding to turn vision into action. In addition you should have a track record of successful partnership work with key external organisations to deliver services and influence local and national policy.
If you can bring commitment, innovation and a real passion for supporting the individual and collective voices of those who struggle to be heard, we want to hear from you. The post may be full time (36.25 hours per week) but we will also consider applications from those interested in working part-time.
To be successful, you will have a background working in advocacy, social care or a related field in either the statutory or third sector, have an understanding of the relevant policy and legislative drivers locally and nationally, and a proven track record of leadership.
For an informal discussion please contact Rebecca Barr, interim CEO, on 07423663284.
Reporting to the Managing Director, this post forms part of the senior management team in this successful Edinburgh based charity providing advocacy services for those in need. The post will line manage a Receptionist, support the Board in executing its functions, and also oversee a range of contracts in place to support corporate functions such as finance, human resources, and facilities management.
BOARD DIRECTOR OPPORTUNITY HELP CREATE OUR 2020 VISION!
About us:
AdvoCard is a well-established independent advocacy charity primarily serving people with experience of mental ill health in Edinburgh. We provide opportunities for people at risk of marginalization and exclusion to participate more effectively in decisions that affect all aspects of their lives, through individual and collective advocacy.
Our activities focus on people who use mental health services in the community and in hospital, people who are in prison, and people with problematic substance misuse. Last year through our staff and volunteers we provided advocacy for 976 individuals, and as the need and demand grows so our services are developing. We have recently extended our service to work in the prison and have developed a specific service to respond to welfare reform.
About the role:
Board members provide strategic support and guidance for our ongoing development, ensuring AdvoCard is solvent, well run and meeting its charitable objectives. We look for up to 50% of our Board members to include people with lived experience of the circumstances of the people we serve and who may have used our services.
About you:
We are looking for new Board Directors who share our passion about the importance of advocacy in enabling people to have choice and control of decisions in or about their lives. You will bring knowledge, experience and skills to support our strategic development, growth and diversification. Knowledge and experience in charity and voluntary sector finance; HR; Business management; strategic and partnership development; commissioning and contracting; advocacy, social care and health services would be especially useful.
Commitment:
·Attendance and active participation at monthly Board meetings, currently held during the day
·Attendance at our annual AGM
The total commitment is around 4 hours a month. In return we offer a highly rewarding role and all travel expenses.
Advocard is looking for an exceptional individual to become our interim Chief Executive and lead and manage the organisation.
We need you to join us for 3 months initially, but this might be extended. We are looking for someone to work 3 days per week. Ideally you will have a background in the development and delivery of front-line mental health services, but experience of leading in a regulated environment is more important.
The charity is embarking on programme of change to strengthen its reach and impact, and you will be joining us at an important and exciting time in our development. Our funding position is secure, and we have changed how we deliver services in response to Covid -19 and we are ambitious to embed what we have learned.
Aside from the job description, we will be looking for the successful candidate to provide hands on leadership to a newly formed and exceptional management team, as well as have a strong strategic focus. Specifically, you will be tasked with forging new partnerships, diversifying income, and placing the organisation in a more sustainable and viable financial position, ahead of new commissioning opportunities.