The Court of the University of Aberdeen is seeking to appoint four new independent members (non-executive directors and charity trustees) to fill vacancies that will arise during the Summer 2024.

The University was established in 1495 to serve the north-east of Scotland, today our university is a global presence in higher education. A dual focus on our region and the wider world is as important to us today as it was five centuries ago.

After serving on our governing body, University Court, for a number of years, four of our independent Court members will step down in August 2024. The University is now seeking exceptional candidates to fill these vacancies to ensure the continued successful delivery of the University’s priorities and objectives, the setting of its strategic direction and commitment to its values and mission.

The following areas of professional expertise and/or experience would bring particular value to University Court and to the roles of independent members:

• Chartered accountancy within complex or international organisations
• People and culture at senior executive level
• Senior FTSE/international management

In addition, we would also welcome applications from individuals with professional expertise and/or experience in:

• Digitisation, emerging technology and AI
• Sustainability, net zero and transition planning
• Media and communications
• Governance, regulatory and compliance

The University is also seeking to recruit a member of Court to Chair the Remuneration Committee. The following areas of professional expertise and/or experience would bring particular value to University Court and to the role of chair of the Remuneration Committee:

• Demonstrable knowledge and expertise in people and HR leadership, change management, organisational development, culture, diversity and inclusion, and reward.
• Proven experience of connecting boards and executives to people and organisational priorities as a senior leader.

None of the posts are remunerated, however reasonable expenses incurred as result of your role on the committee will be re-imbursed in line with the University’s expenses policy.

University of Strathclyde Student Association (‘Strath Union’) has been the beating heart of activity for students on the Strathclyde campus since 1964 and exists to connect all students to ensure everyone can thrive whilst studying at the University of Strathclyde.

Consistently ranked as the number one Student Union in Scotland, according to What Uni’s Student Choice Awards (WUSCA), we are currently one of ten Student Unions, across the UK, shortlisted for WUSCA’s 2024 Student Association of the Year and recently won both UK and Scottish NUS awards for overall employee satisfaction, liberation & equality and community and solidarity. As an organisation, we are bold, ambitious, and innovative much like the University and the 25,000+ students it supports.

The Strath Union Trustee Board is the ultimate legal decision-making body for the organisation, directing all the charity does, ensuring that it is financially sustainable and delivers against its core purpose of connecting students so everyone can thrive. The University has recently launched its 2030 strategy and working with our new Chief Executive you will directly support the development of Strath Union’s new strategic plan that will look to the next 5 years of growth and development.

Previous board experience is not a pre-requisite for this role, and we are focused on identifying new board members who are committed to our mission and organisational values. However, to complement the existing skills of our board members we want candidates who bring experience in one or more of the following areas of expertise:

· Governance, Risk or Compliance

· Public Affairs, Policy, or Public Relations

· IT and Digital Transformation

· Higher Education or the Voluntary sector

We want our Board to reflect the community we support and to enhance the diversity of our Board we would particularly like to hear from women and those identifying as women, people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities and those with diverse sexualities or marginalised gender identities.

If you are excited by the opportunity to join an ambitious and award-winning organisation and share our passion to support and empower all Strathclyde students to unleash their potential and therefore thrive at university and beyond, we would welcome your application.

Victim Support Scotland – Empowering People Affected by Crime.

We put victims and witnesses at the heart of everything we do so they are heard, have improved health and well-being, feel safer, more secure, and informed and that we are an effective organisation, that makes a lasting difference.

Who We Are?

Victim Support Scotland provides support and information to people affected by crime and campaigns for victim and witness rights. Regardless of whether a crime has been reported, or when it happened, our services are free, confidential, and tailored to individuals’ needs. Our vision is that people affected by crime – victims, witnesses, and their families – are treated with dignity and respect and are at the heart of the justice in Scotland. Our mission is to ensure that all those affected by crime receive high quality support that will help them to recover from their experiences. All our work is guided and underpinned by our six core principles of being engaging and compassionate; inclusive and accessible; person-centred; adaptive, flexible, and responsive; collaborative; and knowledgeable and skilled. Now is the time to join Victim Support Scotland, helping us work towards the ambitions of our 5-year plan:

VSS is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all of our service users and has a thorough and rigorous recruitment and selection process including PVG scheme checks in place to ensure this commitment is met.

What is the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Support Co-ordinator , working 14 hours per week.

• Thursdays 9-6pm
• Saturdays 10-4pm

The successful candidate must have access to their own vehicle and willingness to travel off the islands on occasion (e.g. for training or development activities)

Primary location: Lerwick, however you will be expected to cover throughout the locality is required.

Reporting directly to a Locality Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring, within your Service(s), that VSS’s local service development and delivery plan is being implemented within your geographical area(s). Service delivery is provided by a team of skilled and knowledgeable volunteers, you will be responsible for planning their deployment to ensure that the service delivered meets the desired outcomes of victims and witnesses of crime, our service users. Responsible for all aspects of a volunteer engagement with VSS at your services, including recruitment, induction, learning and development, ongoing performance management and support. Contributing to business planning and co-ordination ensuring that continuous learning takes place to monitor that the outcomes of service users are being met.

If you are looking for a role with a purpose, where you can really make a difference, then this may be the role for you.

What you’ll need to be successful

We are looking for someone who is experienced in a similar role and can evidence of continuing professional development, effective leadership style, able to build confidence, motivate and improve performance. Analytical skills, must be able to understand, collect, analyse, report and present data. The ability to challenge stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination and bias. Good working knowledge of the voluntary/charity sector is required, as is a willingness to be flexible in working hours and able to travel as required.

Further details of this role are available in the Support Co-Ordinator - job description

Please note - This post will be subject to a satisfactory PVG check, references, and proof that you have the right to work in the UK.

What we offer?

When you work for Victim Support Scotland, your wellbeing is important to us. Not only do we offer an enhanced annual leave package of 39 days, but you will also have access to our free health cash plan which includes cover for you and your family across a range of benefits, which include, dental cover, access to a virtual GP, counselling, legal support and discounts on gym memberships, cinema tickets, retail and much more. In addition we offer a generous pension, enhanced maternity and paternity pay and access to a credit union. Supporting employee development is important to us and we offer comprehensive learning and development opportunities.

The National Autistic Society is the UK’s leading charity for autistic people. Since 1962, we’ve been transforming lives, changing attitudes and helping to create a society that works for autistic adults and children.

We transform lives by providing support, guidance and practical advice for the 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK, as well as their three million family members and carers. Autistic people turn to us at key moments or challenging times in their lives, be it getting a diagnosis, going to school or finding work.

We change attitudes by improving public understanding of autism and the difficulties many autistic people face. We also work closely with businesses, local authorities and government to help them provide more autism-friendly spaces, deliver better services and improve laws.

We have come a long way but it is not good enough. There is still so much to do to increase opportunities, reduce social isolation and build a brighter future for people on the spectrum. With your help, we can make it happen.

Who we are looking for:

We are looking for a highly motivated and results driven individual with extensive experience of volunteer management, to join our team as a Senior Branch Engagement Officer – Scotland.

Our network of Branches are entirely volunteer run by parents, carers and autistic individuals who want to make a difference to autistic people. They are local, community led and entirely responsive to the needs of autistic people in their area.

In this role, you will be responsible for supporting these branches to implement policies and procedures to keep activities safe and legal and become more sustainable.

To be successful, you will have good communication skills and have strong leadership qualities. You will need to have a good knowledge and understanding of volunteer management and be educated to at least university degree level in an appropriate discipline or proven track record in the field.

Where you will be working:

This role will be home based, so you must be able to work remotely (IT equipment will be provided). Candidates must be based in Scotland.

This is a permanent contract working 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

View the job description

What we can offer you:

• Pension scheme
• 25 days annual leave (pro-rata)
• Excellent induction, training and development programme including training about autism and opportunities to attend our conferences
• Online staff discount scheme for a range of benefits (cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan)
• Access to a 24-hour employee assistance programme
• Access to the Headspace App