We are recruiting for a Research Officer who will work within the Foundation’s Scotland Research Team to support and lead delivery of evaluation and research projects for partner organisation See Me. This role is a full-time fixed term position until 31st March 2026, for 32 hours per week (reduced from 35 hours per week as part of our adjusted work week pilot).

See Me is Scotland's national programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination. Alongside its role as managing partner of See Me, the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) works in partnership with the programme to deliver its research, learning and evaluation functions. This includes the delivery of research, evaluation and knowledge exchange to inform programme development.

What does the role involve?

• Designing and leading evaluation and research projects across a dynamic programme of work, with the support of a wider team, using mixed method approaches (quantitative and qualitative)

• Working collaboratively with colleagues within the Foundation and with key partners, wider stakeholders and funders.

• Undertaking systematic and pragmatic literature and/or evidence reviews

• Analysing, interpreting and presenting research findings to a wide range of audiences

What skills, knowledge and experience are we looking for?

· Excellent understanding of the principles of process and impact evaluation design.

· Demonstrable experience of conducting quantitative and qualitative evaluation activities including data collection, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of findings.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience of producing clear reports, articles and presentations for a range of audiences.

· Ability to deliver knowledge exchange and learning events to partners and stakeholders.

Safeguarding is Everyone’s business – Mental Health Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its beneficiaries, those who surround them, its staff, volunteers, and anyone else who comes into contact with its services and expects all trustees, staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate vetting procedures (proof of eligibility to work in the UK, proof of residency and satisfactory employment screening, including a Disclosure check and two most recent references) along with 3-year renewals of Disclosure checks. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.

If you think your skills match and you’d like to be part of a dynamic and growing organisation, please complete and submit your application via our website. Please ensure you attach an up to date CV and statement of suitability answering all points of the person specification. Applications will close at 5pm on Monday 22 April and we are unable to accept late applications. Interviews are planned for Wednesday 8th May.

We believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. Diversity and inclusion is a strategic priority for us as an employer and mental health charity, and we are proud to be signatories of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter and the Disability Confident Committed Scheme. Applications from under-represented sections of the community are actively encouraged.

If you have a disability, require any additional support or have any questions regarding the role, please contact us at vacancies@mentalhealth.org.uk. We make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during employment. Disabled candidates who meet all the essential person specification criteria will be offered an interview. Therefore, please do ensure you tick the relevant box on the application form and clearly indicate in your application/covering letter if you consider yourself to meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 / Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

We are currently operating mostly digital recruitment (including interviews via video conferencing). We have moved to a hybrid working model of a minimum of 2 days per week in the office and the rest working from home.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing unique support to people with severe and enduring mental ill health. With over 50 years’ experience across Scotland, we believe people affected by poor mental health and illness deserve the highest quality of support in the community and that every person has the right to be valued and to share in the opportunities, challenges, and joys of everyday life.

In this varied and exciting role, you will support service users to achieve their identified goals by facilitating structured group and one-to-one activities that allow those taking part to improve existing employability skills as well as develop new ones. Working as part of the Employability Team the role offers you an opportunity to be innovative and creative in meeting the needs of those who use the Service.

The ideal candidate should be someone who can work as part of a team, be creative in their approach to working with people, have excellent communication skills and have a sense of humour. They should be educated to SVQ Level 2 or its equivalent, and be willing to complete an SVQ3 after probation.

Key Responsibilities:

• I work as part of a team building positive working relationships
• In partnership with service users, I implement outcome focussed development plans as designed/overseen by my line manager so enable service users to achieve their identified goals
• To achieve outcomes, I can employ a number of appropriate intervention strategies including positive communication skills
• Ongoing risk assessment is integral to my practice to ensure the wellbeing of service users
• I can demonstrate group work skills which bring people together in a safe environment
• I have an awareness of appropriate professional boundaries including confidentiality
• I contribute to service user goals and outcomes by working in partnership across a number of organisations sourcing appropriate community support and opportunities

Essential Criteria:

• I am educated to SVQ level 2 or have relevant experience working in health and social care
• I can plan and prioritise my workload
• My professional self -awareness means that I can seek support and advice from my line manager appropriately and participate in supervision and support meetings positively
• I am empathetic
• My personal and professional value base is consistent with the aims and objectives of Support in Mind Scotland
• My practice is firmly based within a model of recovery
• I demonstrate genuine regard for service users and their families
• I have good I.T. skills and can produce accurate case notes
• I am enthusiastic to develop my knowledge and skills

Benefits

Professional development including funded opportunities.

A generous 37 days’ holiday.

A 35-hour working week, enhanced sick pay & season ticket loan.

A great work life balance with flexible and blended working environment.

24/7 access to an award-winning Employee Assistance Programme providing free legal, financial and medical advice as well as support with life’s challenges.

Enhanced sick pay and leave entitlements

Paid Mental Wellbeing Days

Cycle to Work Scheme

Blue Light Discount Card

Around since 1923, SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity. We have represented the voice of people most affected by mental health problems in Scotland for 100 years. Today, in over 60 communities we work with adults and young people providing mental health social care support, services in primary care, schools and further education, among others.

These services together with our national programme work in See Me, respectme, suicide prevention and active living; inform our policy and campaign work to influence positive social change. SAMH is dedicated to mental health and wellbeing for all: with a vision of a society where people are able to live their lives fully, regardless of present or past circumstances.

About the Role

SAMH is delighted to be partnering with Aberdeenshire Council to expand our SAMH Time for Me programme to young people in schools and communities across Aberdeenshire. To achieve this we are seeking experienced practitioners to work full time, and during term-time with young people from Aberdeenshire high schools. Time for Me is a community based 8 session life skills course for young people aged 11 – 18 years experiencing low mood and/or anxiety. Based on the cognitive behavioural approach it provides young people with time and space to explore, discuss and understand their difficult feelings, thoughts and behaviours. It aims to reduce anxiety, improve wellbeing, increase confidence and resilience, and help young people to develop tools to manage life’s challenges.

The programme can be delivered individually within schools or community venues. We also hope to develop and trial a group work programme. The programme can be delivered both face to face and digitally. In addition to Time for Me, the Time for Me Practitioner will deliver a range of digital and face-to-face mental health and wellbeing workshops to parents and carers. These workshops aim to increase mental health awareness, whilst also tackling mental health stigma, and provide information and tools to enable people to support their own and others’ mental health and wellbeing.

What we are looking for

We are looking for individuals with extensive experience of working with young people around their mental health and wellbeing. With exceptional communication skills and ability to manage own case load, you’ll need to be flexible to respond to the needs of the service and young people, ensuring your practice is of the highest quality at all times.

A driving licence and access to a car is essential for this post. What we will provide for you

You will work in a supportive environment and will be provided with a full induction along with ongoing training opportunities. You will be given the chance to develop your knowledge and skills, as well as develop professionally. Some of our benefits include;

• Funded continuous learning and development opportunities, with access to over 100 courses online in addition to classroom and virtual training sessions 30 days annual leave rising to 33 after 5 years’ service (pro-rata)
• 4 public holidays (pro-rata)
• 2 paid wellbeing days off per year to use on what matters to you (pro-rata)
• Team wellbeing budgets
• Workplace pension schem
• Life Assurance policy
• Employee Assistance Programme

Do you have experience in supporting families living with dementia? Do you love dogs? We are looking for a passionate and dynamic person to provide specialist dementia support and coordinate our Dementia Dog project activities in Scotland.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in collaboration with Dogs for Good charity and play an instrumental role in the expansion and delivery of therapeutic dog services across Scotland to support families living with dementia.

We are looking for candidates who bring:

• Strong experience in providing professional dementia support
• A proactive and enabling approach to dementia care
• Passion and energy to make a difference
• Evidence of working collaboratively in partnerships
• Empathy with, and understanding of the ways dogs can help people with dementia
• Excellent communication skills
• Creative, strategic thinking who can work autonomously

This post requires a full driving license and access to a car.