Scotland’s Citizens Advice Network is an essential community service that empowers people through our local bureaux and national services by providing free, confidential, and independent advice. We use people’s real-life experiences to influence policy and drive positive change. We are on the side of people in Scotland who need help, and we change lives for the better.

The Citizens Advice network is made up of 59 local Citizens Advice Bureaux, each its own independent charity, and Citizens Advice Scotland as the national charity and membership body, which includes the GB delivery of Extra Help Unit service, a group of specialist case workers supporting vulnerable energy and post consumers. We provide advice across over 200 locations and deliver 12 national advice projects for UK and Scottish Government including the Money Talks advice service and the Help to Claim Universal Support advice service.

Last year the network helped nearly 180,000 people and unlocked £147million for people through things like social security payments and employment entitlements. Our online advice received over 5.4 million page views and our awareness raising campaigns reached millions of people.

Our vision is for a Fairer Scotland where everyone has the advice and information they need to realise their rights, and that the barriers to accessing those rights are effectively challenged.

Making change happen at Citizens Advice Scotland

The Impact team has access to the incredible wealth of data generated through advice giving by our network of Citizens Advice Bureaux and through the Extra Help Unit at Citizens Advice Scotland, and our online advice which is accessed by over 2 million people every month.

We hold the largest dataset on social issues outside of the public sector and this allows us to understand what is happening on the ground in communities across Scotland and reflect our client’s experiences to government and to those who can make a difference. We campaign and influence to tackle the root cause of the problems people face, and to work to strengthen their rights. To achieve change we work with governments, regulators and business at a UK and Scottish level on improving areas of particular detriment, and undertake research and delivering awareness and education campaigns.

Our network mission

• We help people navigate systems and access their rights

• We build resilience in local communities

• We support the realisation of human rights

• We help change policies and practices to ensure they work for people

This opportunity

We wish to appoint a dynamic and driven individual to lead our work on Social Justice, which spans a diverse range of policy areas but which includes Social Security, Housing, Employment and Net Zero.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape and implement a programme of work that will achieve positive social change in this area, working alongside and with a talented team of research, policy and communications professionals in a dynamic and creative environment.

You will be able to demonstrate significant experience working in policy development, advocacy or a public affairs environment and have a sound working knowledge of Social Justice issues

You will be given freedom to lead on achieving change for the people who use our services and will be responsible for setting our strategy in this area of work. You will ensure that the network is plugged into the right people in the right places, that messages are landed effectively, progress is measured and goals are achieved.

You will be an effective spokesperson for Citizens Advice Scotland on Social Justice and you will develop and build relationships at all levels of government(s), with regulators, opinion formers and make a measurable impact on the organisation’s reputation in the UK and Scotland. You will develop strategic alliances with other organisations, including cross sector coalitions, and build relationships with influential stakeholders, and importantly you’ll share your knowledge and experience within Citizens Advice Scotland and our wider network.

This exciting and empowering role provides the ideal opportunity to develop your own career and skill sets in a collaborative, innovative and supportive environment.

*This role is based in our Edinburgh office. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis the majority of Citizens Advice Scotland staff have been working from home, but we have now started a transition back to the office and expect all staff to be attending the office in some capacity from the end of May 2022. CAS have introduced a blended working policy to allow our employees to balance their time attending the office with time working from home, and the number of days you will be expected to attend the office each week can be discussed as part of the recruitment process. Candidates should be prepared to attend the office on their first day for an induction, and to attend the office thereafter as required.

Employee benefits

Citizens Advice Scotland offers excellent terms and conditions, including a total of 40 days leave (including public holidays) and a pension scheme with an 8% employer contribution. We have a flexitime scheme which enables our employees to work flexibly in line with organisational requirements, and as an inclusive employer we are happy to consider other flexible working arrangements where appropriate.

Scottish Canals are currently looking to recruit a Head of Placemaking. This is a new role and the successful candidate will lead on ensuring that our places are well designed, create opportunities and that they are accessible, sustainable, and relevant for people and communities. The Head of Placemaking is responsible for devising Scottish Canals Placemaking Strategy and plans including leading a holistic and integrated approach to designing places and spaces which are canal-relevant along our network. They will oversee project management and delivery including identifying and securing external funds for programmes and projects. A key aspect is engagement with stakeholders and communities to helps us find new ways to connect people with place and deliver maximum public benefit whilst safeguarding significance.

The Head of Placemaking will have and continue to build the external networks, leading senior level relationships with key partners to ensure we are innovative, creative, and collaborative.

As a member of the Senior Management Group, the Head of Placemaking contributes to promoting Scottish Canals’ vision, values and reputation and contributing to the priorities identified through the Corporate Plan.

This critical role will have responsibility for:

• Developing a Placemaking strategy and action plan that aligns to the Scottish Government’s Place Principle and contributes to the National Performance Framework as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and maximising our wider contribution to Inclusive Growth, Community Wealth Building, A Zero Nation and Wellbeing agendas.

• Building and nurturing partnerships which support Scottish Canals’ plans to enhance canal infrastructure, specifically improving accessibility, connectivity and opportunities for communities, customers, and partners to benefit from the canal network.

• Creating and shaping programmes of projects to realise strategic intentions, mitigate risk and promote solutions whilst maintaining heritage canal assets. Sponsoring project development and seeking the necessary approvals. Ensuring the delivery is to the appropriate level of quality, on time and within budget, in accordance with the programme plans and programme governance arrangements.

• Identifying, leveraging, and deploying funding streams that maybe available including grants and other funding sources by building cases for investment.

• Keeping abreast of all industry trends, developments, and legislation on planning, placemaking and construction.

• Defining KPIs, management information and reporting relating to placemaking driving continuous improvement. Ensure accurate and timely reporting is provided to the relevant stakeholders and ensure any statutory, internal, or external reporting is provided on time, validated and accurate.

• Ensuring appropriate policies, standards and targets are in place and communicated across the organisation, and with suppliers, and stakeholders.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate:

• Considerable practical place making experience or relevant experience professional qualification in architecture, landscape architecture, design, or architectural conservation.

• A strong strategic vision for placemaking and design underpinned by effective project management, from ideas to implementation.

• Proven track record in securing and managing funds

• Building effective relationships that generate confidence, respect, and collaborative working at all levels, and at senior levels, operating with sensitivity and political acuity.

• Exceptional leadership skills, able to motivate and inspire others.

• Creativity and innovation, ability to lead and drive cultural change.

• Experience and understanding of the application of conservation principles in heritage settings.

• A track record of working with developers, contractors, and supply chain.

• Strong analytical skills, focused on evidence and insight, able to interpret and contextualise complex information and situations to identify solutions.

• Strives for continuous improvement, innovation, and efficiency, taking responsibility for managing and improving all relevant standards, policies, processes, and governance relating to the role.

• Excellent organisational skills and able to demonstrate determination, focus and self-awareness needed to sustain effectiveness.

The role is offered on a permanent full-time basis, based on a blended working model from our Falkirk office and home working.

Scottish Canals also offers flexible working, a generous annual leave entitlement of 34 days rising to 39 after 5 years (inc. public holidays), along with enhanced company sick pay and a contributory pension scheme with up to a 10% employer contribution.

We are Living Streets Scotland, part of the UK charity for everyday walking. We want to create a nation where walking is the natural choice for every day, local journeys; free from congested roads and pollution, reducing the risk of preventable illnesses and social isolation. We want to achieve a better walking environment and to inspire people of all generations to walk more.

Join us and together we will make Scotland a walking nation.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join our Scotland team to manage the delivery of multiple projects with local authorities and other partners in the public and private sector. The role will focus on walking to school projects and supporting communities with walking improvements, with the postholder being the lead contact for all our local projects and partnerships in Scotland.

You will be responsible for a small staff team and oversight of multiple budgets. A sound understanding of contract based work and financial reporting will be needed to succeed.

The postholder will work closely with the Head of Living Streets Scotland and the charity’s development team to renew and secure new projects, within the growing and dynamic active travel sector.

The post is homebased but requires regular travel to Edinburgh, and across Scotland to meet local project partners.

Living Streets is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk; and expects all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be subject to background and criminal records checks as relevant to the job role.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a global environmental organisation and work on a variety of complex issues to save our planet. Join us as Head of Communications & Fundraising for WWF Scotland and work to maintain our reputation, raise funds and ensure we meet organisational objectives. You will play a vital role in ensuring our work is communicated in a manner which is clear, consistent, and credible.

A key member of senior management team, you will lead the delivery of communications and fundraising strategies in Scotland. You will collaborate with senior colleagues and provide advice and strategic decision-making affecting communications and fundraising initiatives. You will motivate a small team to develop and deliver our communications and fundraising work as well as take the lead in designing and implementing public-facing campaigns in Scotland. We will look to you to build our visibility in Scotland with key audiences, ensuring we influence and engage with journalists as well as inspire supporters, the wider public and other NGOs. You will also act as our brand champion and take responsibility for developing strong working relationships with funders, businesses, and NGOs to help deliver WWF’s objectives.

You must have a proven track record of developing and delivering communications and/or advocacy campaigns. This will have given you hands-on expertise in using online, digital, and social media tools for engaging, mobilising, influencing key audiences. You will have a sound knowledge and understanding of news media and politics, particularly in Scotland. You will also have been involved in fundraising, particularly from corporate, statutory, and other organisational sources.

An effective project manager you will be used to overseeing multiple stakeholder relationships and building high performing teams. You will also possess excellent communication, interpersonal and brand management skills. Critically you will be hands-on and capable of producing well designed content.

If you have the ideas, energy, and skills to help us tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges, we would love to hear from you. Please visit our website via the link, complete the online registration and submit a copy of your up-to-date CV with the Supporting Statement highlighting what makes you a good fit for us.

The Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland (APRS) is the charity which promotes the care of all of Scotland’s rural landscapes. APRS is a registered charity, No SC016139. Further information about the work of APRS is at aprs.scot.

Our current Director John Mayhew retires at the end of 2022, so we plan to appoint a new Director by August to allow sufficient time for a handover period, probably during November. This will be an exciting time to lead this dynamic organisation, as there is great potential both to build on its recent successes and to grasp new opportunities.

Role

The Director leads and manages all aspects of the work of APRS on behalf of its Executive Committee. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the development and delivery of the APRS business strategy, including developing and raising funds for new projects and managing existing projects and core activities
• Influence key public sector decision-makers and partners through policy development and advocacy with respect to Scotland’s rural landscapes
• Lead, manage and develop a small team of staff and volunteers
• Manage the charity’s governance, budget and resources
• Respond to requests for advice from APRS members and others on protecting their local landscapes through the planning system and other means

The successful candidate will have a thorough understanding and experience of Scotland’s political, landscape and planning systems. Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute is highly desirable; a background in communications, landscape architecture or public affairs is also advantageous. They will have experience of working with politicians and senior government officials to achieve positive policy change, of developing and delivering successful projects and of managing small staff teams. Candidates should display a high level of communications and presentation skills, and a proven ability to deal diplomatically with strongly held opposing views.

Friends of the Earth Scotland is seeking a value-driven and collaborative Director to lead and guide our dynamic and creative organisation. This key role will lead and promote Friends of the Earth Scotland’s unique role in the urgent and critical context of the climate and ecological emergency. Working closely with the Senior Management team, together with the board and staff team, you will initially focus on the development of a refreshed organisational strategy.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about securing climate and social justice and committed to system change. You will be an excellent communicator, with sound political judgement, and the vision to galvanise the movement to achieve tangible impact for people and the environment. You will have a good understanding of the Scottish political context, social movements and how change happens, and a track record of securing change. You will bring significant experience in the third sector, in a senior or leadership role, and of financial management and governance. You will value and prioritise ongoing reflection and learning, both on a personal and organisational level. You will have a naturally collaborative leadership style and a strong track record of developing and implementing effective cross-organisation strategy.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at Scotland's leading environmental campaigning group, working to help people in Scotland look after the planet for everyone’s future.