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.

Are you a confident communicator with a knack for telling stories?

Does talking to young people about their future ambitions excite you?

And do you enjoy working as part of a team?

If so, we have an exciting part-time (0.5 FTE), 12-month fixed term contract within our Scotland Communications and Engagement team where you will be responsible for delivering communications specifically for our Young Start fund.

Young Start distributes money from dormant accounts on behalf of the Scottish Government to projects that are run for and by young people aged eight to 25. Since 2012, it has distributed over £60 million to thousands of projects across Scotland.

You will be part of the Communications and Engagement team responsible for telling the story of our Young Start funding in Scotland to a variety of audiences.

You will also provide communications support and advice to a recently established Young Start development team tasked with ensuring that children and young people are better engaged with and centred in the work of the Young Start funding programme.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading on all regular announcements of Young Start funding to the media and stakeholders
• Interviewing young people behind the projects to produce content for media features, case studies and online social media channels
• Supporting our funding teams to deliver Young Start customer communications
• Managing the yearly production of the Young Start Annual Report, at the request of the Scottish Government.
• Supporting the Young Start team to deliver its work putting young people front and centre of the Young Start programme.

About you

You will be comfortable speaking to children and young people about the impact that the funding is making in their lives and telling their stories with duty of care and a creative and engaging approach.

You will be collaborative in nature and enjoy working proactively and in partnership with colleagues across the fund. An open, supportive and flexible team working approach is necessary.

You will be adept at managing a busy and varied workload.

There can be occasional weekend and evening working to suit the needs of young people, but most of our work takes place on weekdays in normal working hours.

Interview Date: W/C 3rd June, On site with competency questions and an on the day pre-interview task. Will confirm details to the First stage interview candidates.

Location: This role is based in our Glasgow office, however we have a flexible, hybrid approach to working. Should you have a question on work pattern, please ask.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role specifically, please contact: Lorna McNiven, Communications and Engagement Manager: lorna.mcniven@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

Any questions about the recruitment process, please email: recruitment@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

On application, please align your supporting statement to the criteria below:

Essential:

1) Strong writing skills and ability to adapt your writing for different audiences

2) An understanding of Scotland’s media landscape

3) Experience of producing and repurposing content for a variety of platforms such as press releases and social media channels

4) Experience of building rapport with journalists and/or other stakeholders

Desirable:

1) Ability to manage a busy and diverse workload

2) Experience of selling in stories to the media

3) Knowledge of the community and voluntary sector, particularly with regard to young people

4) Experience of sharing skills, knowledge and creative ideas as part of a team.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.)

Vulnerable children in the UK need your help

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year, we helped more than 670,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why Action for Children?

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.

A bit about the role

We believe in really listening to our infants, children, young people and families. We believe in those views being at the heart of how we make big decisions about plans, about services and about direction. If we understand and respond to people's experiences – the good and the bad – this will lead us to better, smarter, kinder ways of being – and create better opportunities for everyone.

We have an amazing opportunity for a Participation Worker who'll work closely with our experienced Engagement Coordinator to build relationships with a wide range of people, supporting them to share their views and experiences in a way that is flexible, creative and feels safe.

You'll work with children, young people and their families to establish a policy that can be used consistently across services in West Dunbartonshire about fair remuneration, exploring the most valued way we can recognise their expertise and contribution. The Participation team will reach as many of our children, young people and families as possible, consulting on a range of issues around The Promise.

The other aspect of their role will be how this information is then blended with the quantitative data we have – how the stories this person has gathered are conveyed to staff at all levels, making sure the experiences behind the stats are understood.

We're looking for a bright and friendly individual with a passion for listening to, empowering and raising the voices of children, young people and their families. Experience engaging and working with children, young people and families in creative and meaningful ways is desirable but full training and coaching will also be provided and we welcome applications from individuals with lived experience of social care.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

Some key responsibilities of the role will be;

• Experience or interest in youth work/community development/participation.
• An understanding of The Promise and what is means for Scotland's children and young people.
• Working within the service and other partners to establish ways in which children and young people are able to participate more fully in their own lives.
• Ability to think creatively to promote inclusion and keep participation fun and meaningful.
• Ability to think on your feet to adapt activities and approaches to best suit participants.

Let's talk about you

• Relevant experience of working with children and young people.
• Desire to support and empower others and compassionate of experiences and views of others.
• Basic ICT skills and ability to gather and present evidence effectively.
• Ability to work independently as well as with colleagues and partner organisations.

Benefits:

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 29 days PLUS bank holidays
• Up to 5 more days leave for continuous service plus the option to buy and sell leave.
• Gain professional qualifications with excellent training, and development opportunities.
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages.
• A pension with a up to a 7% employer contribution rate. Plus, if you pay in to the pension you will receive life assurance cover.
• Staff discount portal with your favourite brands.
• Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 discounts from national retailers.

Good to know

Application Process: There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration.

Contact: If, for any reason, you need support with your application, please contact Laura McCarthy at Laura.McCarthy2@actionforchildren.org.uk. We'll be happy to give you any support you require.

Talent Pool: We know talent when we see it. But sometimes we find the right person but not for the right job. We'd love to keep your details for when the right job comes up. Let us know if you'd rather we didn't.

Diversity, equality, and inclusion

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic, and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Don't meet every single requirement?

If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we'd love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role within the Action for Children family.