The post holder will be required to become a PVG Scheme Member in relation to regulated work with vulnerable children

Are you passionate about helping young people live a better life? At Voluntary Action Orkney (VAO), our values and people are at the heart of everything we do including how we recruit our staff. It is important for us to find people who share our values, which are:

• Empathy (listen to and understand an individual’s needs and circumstances)
• Respect (treat others the way they wish to be treated)
• Integrity (be honest and have strong moral principles)
• Caring (show kindness and concern for others)

Action Orkney (VAO) provides responsive and innovative support and representation for the Third Sector in Orkney.

The Young People’s Befriending Project (YPBP) supports young people aged 5 – 18 years old who are facing a challenging time in their lives by matching them to a trained volunteer Befriender.

We are looking for a person to provide maternity cover up to the end of February 2024 for the job share role of Project Co-ordinator. This role will promote, manage and develop the YPBP and will include the recruitment, training and support of volunteers, the assessment of young people, and the management and supervision of the Befriending matches.

Applicants will have experience of working with young people and demonstrate knowledge of and empathy with the issues that affect young people. They should have excellent written and oral communication skills, and be educated to degree level or have equivalent experience.

Bavs is an independent charity providing community development services in Berwickshire for over 50 years. We have reached an exciting new stage of development and have been consulting with communities on our new strategy. Bavs new focus will be:

• Developing our charity shops to become zero waste hubs.
• Work with other community groups and organisations to support the development of local projects aimed to reduce waste and promote re-use, upcycle using second-hand items.
• Continue to support voluntary action to create positive change within the organisation and with partners across Berwickshire.
• Facilitate networking and enable collaboration.
• Support the development of grass roots community projects in line with Bavs strategy.
• Support the transition of Berwickshire Wheels to the Borders Community Transport in year 1.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an Executive Officer to lead us into the next phase of our development. We need someone with a proven track record of achievement at a senior level, with at least three years in a senior role leading, developing and managing teams. A creative thinker, you’ll have developed visionary strategic plans and delivered transformational implementation projects and plans.

Experience of working collaboratively and building partnerships is as well as excellent communication skills, including public speaking and using all media channels.

Your background will include working with a Board of Trustees or similar to offer guidance and advice to ensure their decision-making is robust.

You’ll have financial management skills, such as budget setting, business planning and monitoring income and expenditure. You will also have a track record in developing and implementing a fundraising strategy or business development and income generation.

You will also need to demonstrate your leadership abilities and the expertise to motivate our staff and volunteers.

You’ll be self-motivated, self-disciplined and be a problem solver. You can demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment and work to high ethical standards and values.

What you will be doing

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the new phase of Bavs. The priorities for this role are:

• Developing the organisation
• Strategic development, planning and reporting
• Finance and income generation
• Governance and supporting the Board of Trustees
• Leadership and motivation of the staff and volunteers

You will be responsible for delivering an ambitious strategy and securing funds to support it, as well as overseeing sound financial planning, organisational development and operational management. You’ll provide leadership, management and motivation in a positive and collaborative culture that develops and supports staff and volunteers.

Working with the Board of Trustees, you will develop a financial strategy to support the design, delivery and development of high-quality services. You will submit funding applications and tenders to enable us to meet our ambitions, and implement the strategic day- to-day financial management of the organisation.

Working with the Board, you will ensure that effective governance, monitoring and reporting systems are in place.

What you will get

The salary is £38,000 pro rata for 22.5 hours per week, plus essential car user’s expenses. You will get 25 days annual leave as well as 10 days public holidays. This is a permanent post.

There’s a pension contribution and enhanced sickness pay.

We offer a flexible working policy to support the work/life balance of our employees. This post is hybrid, working between home, office and the three shops across Berwickshire.

About us

Since 1935, we’ve been doing everything we can to make sure everyone everywhere can enjoy nature on foot. We lead the way, and the walks, for a community of over 100,000 walkers. And we help thousands more every year find their feet out in the open to boost their wellbeing naturally.

The Ramblers is a charity dedicated to removing barriers so everyone can enjoy walking in green spaces and to preserving and improving hundreds of thousands of miles of well-loved paths, tracks, and trails across England, Scotland, and Wales. We're committed to campaigning to keep our countryside open to all and to fight for the things that matter most to walkers.

Purpose of Role

The Equalities Outreach Program (Scotland) is an initiative to open the outdoors to groups that feel excluded and marginalised from the sector. Year one will focus on establishing community-based contacts in urban areas and testing a delivery framework with a focus on refugees, asylum seekers and people from minority ethnic communities.

Your work will be exploratory and experimental in nature, and define how we:

• Create experiences for individuals and community groups.
• Provide skills that support people to enjoy walking independently, and with friends and family.
• Enable community support organisations to embed walking activity into their support offer.
• Create bridges between existing Ramblers groups and marginalised communities.

The role

The initial focus will be on engaging with organisations which support refugees and asylum seekers, and with Scotland’s minority ethnic communities.

Action research. By taking a ‘learning by doing’ approach you will map community assets, evaluate the transferability of existing Ramblers approaches and develop new ways of working that help us to get more people walking. You will be resilient and motivated to learn through creative exploration.

Engaging stakeholders. You will identify and engage with a range of community-based organisations in Scotland. By providing support, advice and training they will extend their programmes to include brilliant walking experiences for community members. You’ll appreciate what partners can bring to the table, and work with them to co-design programmes of activity with and for community members.

Engaging with communities. As a walk leader and a trainer, you will share your passion for walking so that marginalised groups can experience the outdoors. By leading inspiring introductory walks, delivering skills courses in the outdoors, and supporting volunteers, you will bring to life the joy of walking for everyone.

Impact and evaluation. You will understand the importance of gathering data to demonstrate reach and impact. Collaborating with the wider Ramblers team, you will ensure appropriate data and reporting processes are in place to monitor and report on the impact of this work.

Working with volunteers. Collaborating with the wider Ramblers team and our volunteers, you will support us to develop effective ways to build bridges into existing Ramblers walking groups, helping to create a warm welcome for everyone.

Undertake such other duties as may be reasonably required of the post holder by the Ramblers.

The person

Qualification

• Lowland leader or Hill and Moorland leader qualification (or the ability to work towards qualification immediately).
• Knowledge and Experience
• Experience of developing strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to develop mutually beneficial activities and outcomes.
• Experience of working with local community organisations to support change in the 3rd sector.
• Experience of delivering public health or sport and physical activity programmes.
• Experience of implementing change and working with others to adopt new ways of working.
• Understanding of audience motivations, barriers to inclusion and the links between physical activity and physical and mental health outcomes.
• A good understanding of volunteering and experience of supporting volunteers.
• Experience of assessing and managing risk in relation to physical activities.
• Experience of working within a member-led organisation.

Skills and Leadership

• Co-ordination, planning and organisational skills.
• Interpersonal skills to help build strong relationships with community members, partners and other colleagues.
• Communication skills to gain commitment from partners and lead collaborative problem-solving.
• Skills in leading safe and inspiring group walks in lowland and/or hill & moorland environments
• Facilitation and training skills – in-person and online.
• Ability to diagnose problems, provide solutions and make logical, timely decisions.
• IT skills and competent in the use of Zoom, MS Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to analyse data, pay attention to detail and present verbal and written reports.

Personal Attributes

• Active and demonstrable interest in walking and engaging people with the outdoors.
• Commitment to the principles of inclusion and enabling everyone to feel welcome in the outdoors, with a particular understanding of the needs of people seeking asylum, refugees and people from minority ethnic communities.
• Resilient with the ability to balance competing demands.
• Flexible and able to develop strong, collaborative relationships and work in a team.
• Drive – to do a great job – and to help those around you learn from your experiences.
• Access to own transport and willing to travel and spend some evenings and weekends away from home.
• Willing to undertake training and professional development to ensure skills and knowledge are up to date.

The Ramblers promote diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Values and Behaviours

Our values are the core principles that guide us daily in our work and our membership of the Ramblers. We all share the passion that walking is for everyone and by living our shared values we can ensure the Ramblers is an organisation to be proud of.

Our values will earn trust for the Ramblers brand which will allow us to open up a world of walking opportunities for even more people.

Inclusive – We make everyone feel welcome and part of the Ramblers community. We make sure we all feel respected and accepted and know our contributions make a difference in achieving our mission.

Inspiring– We strive to inspire people through the way we act and the things we say. We channel our passion and ambition, so others are moved to help us achieve our mission.

Empowering – We empower and encourage each other to make a positive contribution to our teams and the Ramblers. We do all we can to make sure everyone has the ability, and feels confident, to take action.

Responsible– We take responsibility for ourselves and those around us seriously, by always acting in a safe and supportive way. We care about the environment and make sure we do what we say we will do.

Please note that we do reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications

Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Service (PKAVS) is a charity in Perth & Kinross where enhancing lives and connecting communities is our mission. We provide a diverse range of services including support for Carers, Mental Well-being, Minority Communities, Third Sector Support and Volunteering. Every year PKAVS enhances the lives of over 5000 local people, helping them to overcome barriers and achieve their goals.

PKAVS Carers Hub supports unpaid carers of all ages who are living in Perth & Kinross and caring for family, partners, friends, or neighbours. Our trained support workers and volunteers help over 1500 adult carers retain a life outside of caring and develop skills or interests to enhance their own lives. PKAVS Carers Hub uses a holistic approach in working with people who have caring responsibilities and their families to assess and plan support. Support can include access to training, respite services, information & advice, and support groups.

The Hub is available virtually through a multi-agency website and locally, through carers support staff working in localities in Perth & Kinross. PKAVS carers support staff will work as part of a health & social care partnership approach with health and social care colleagues who support complex care in a community setting.

The Young Carers Service offers information, advice and support to young people and works in partnership with other agencies to deliver a range of activities that enable children with caring responsibilities to be supported.

Role

We are looking for a highly motivated person to work within a small, supportive, and dynamic team striving to recognise and enhance the potential of young people. Whilst a relevant qualification is desirable, experience of working with and being able to engage directly with young people and their families is an essential element of this role.

You will be involved in developing and delivering a range of group activities and programmes for Young Carers between the ages of 5-18 years. You will be responsible for the planning, preparation, and evaluation of all activities.

You must have a flexible approach, working in collaboration with team members, volunteers, and external agencies in developing and participating in a range of activities and services delivered during school holidays, in the evenings and on weekends for Young Carers.

Key Objectives

• To identify the respite needs of Young Carers of all ages and across all localities.
• To improve accessibility to respite and personal development opportunities for Young Carers across all localities of Perth and Kinross.
• To develop and deliver an annual programme of respite and development activities to alleviate the impact of caring and improve outcomes for Young Carers.
• To improve the coordination and promotion of information about respite for Young Carers.
• To secure funding in support of the annual respite programme.
• To support the recruitment and supervision of sessional staff and volunteers.
• To manage budgets in relation to respite programmes.

The Benefits of Working at PKAVS are:

• The opportunity to be part of the next exciting chapter in PKAVS history and to work with a highly skilled carers team.
• Personal development and opportunities that will help you achieve your career aspirations.
• A working environment that is designed to make it as easier for you to balance your home life and deliver effectively in your working life.
• A generous salary that values your skills, knowledge, and experience.
• Auto-enrolment into our Pension scheme.
• 6.8 weeks of annual leave (pro-rata) which increases according to your length of service.
• Enhanced sick pay scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme that offers 24/7 advice and listening for all your support needs.

Offers will be made subject to satisfactory references, PVG check, and eligibility to work in the UK.