We have three 12 month, fixed term contract opportunities within our Knowledge and Learning team within the Scotland Directorate.

These are exciting opportunities to join our small team as a Knowledge and Learning Officer, working on a variety of projects to provide informed insight on a range of grant-making themes.

As part of our Knowledge and Learning Team here in Scotland, you will work alongside Funding, and Communication and Engagement teams, as well as Knowledge and Learning colleagues across the UK. The role is flexible and varied, responding to the needs of colleagues and stakeholders to lend research or policy expertise, facilitating engagement events and sharing findings and recommendations.

A key aim of this work is to gather and analyse qualitative and quantitative data from our funding programmes and the policy landscape to shape funding decisions and priorities.

You will be able to see the ‘bigger picture’ of our grant-making work and apply creative approaches to identify and embed learning across geographic and thematic areas.

You will have sound critical thinking, thematic analysis and research skills and an ability to convey effective, impactful information for a variety of audiences.

You will be sensitive to ethics in research design and implementation.

As part of the role you will host and facilitate learning events, both in person and online, and therefore you’ll have sound facilitation and networking skills. Occasionally you will have the opportunity to work with grant-holders, external partners and other funders, requiring excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

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.

You will often be responding to short notice requests for information and guidance, while balancing longer term research/report writing and presentation.

You will be curious to explore and test new ideas and ways of working, to ensure our funding reaches those at greatest need. As such an awareness of public policy, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), and participation methods would be useful.

Familiarity with digital communication tools would be advantageous.

Interview Date: Week commencing 22nd April in Glasgow

Location: This role is based in our Glasgow office, however we have a flexible, hybrid approach to working. The role will entail occasional travel and potentially overnight stays. Should you have a question on work pattern, please ask.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role specifically, please contact: Lucy McDonald, Head of Knowledge and Learning, lucy.mcdonald@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

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

Essential criteria

Experience of gathering and sharing evidence to inform learning, including applying qualitative research methods and techniques.

Strong communication and facilitation skills, with experience of holding discussions that enable a range of people to share and discuss ideas.

Excellent report writing skills, and an ability to present information in an engaging and creative way.

A supportive, and responsive, team player with experience of working collaboratively and in partnership to deliver objectives.

Desirable Criteria

An understanding of quantitative research methods, and how they can be used to support qualitative analysis of data.

Familiarity with digital tools that support and enhance how information is captured and conveyed.

Relationship management skills and ability to develop a range of stakeholders and networks to widen the reach of your work.

Knowledge or awareness of the context of the third sector, and key policy and contextual trends which impact communities across Scotland and the UK.

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.)

The Volunteering Officer will work with the Chief Executive and the wider team to encourage and support volunteering at Green Hive, coordinating, administering and developing the current volunteer pool (numbering nearly 200 people), and leading on the recruitment, induction and deployment of new volunteers for different roles across the organisation - including at Seaman’s Hall in Nairn, our Community Workshop and in support of outdoor activities programming.

Context: Launched in 2015, Green Hive (formally Nairn River Enterprise) is a community hub and a charity that specialises in volunteer-led projects and other initiatives, helping to conserve, restore and sustainably develop the natural habitats and public amenities of Nairn and Nairnshire, while cultivating skills and employability and improving outcomes for residents and visitors. Over the last decade the organisation has developed a suite of core business operations that focus on reducing pollution and waste, recycling and re-using discarded man-made materials and promoting more positive interactions with the local environment. It has done this while gradually consolidating its own financial position in support of longer-term organisational sustainability. Recent investment from the Postcode Innovation Trust takes us to the next level, and a dedicated Volunteering Officer will be key to our plans for growth and diversification. In November 2022 Green Hive took ownership of Seaman’s Hall in the Fishertown precinct of Nairn; over the last year it has been developing public programmes aimed at re-establishing this important historic building as a community hub. We are also formulating capital development plans for the facility. The Volunteering Officer will support these activities, contributing meaningfully to the implementation and continuing evolution of our five-year strategic business plan.

We are seeking a part time Team Leader who is passionate and enthusiastic about recovery and who has a good track record in promoting successful recovery development work, peer support and community development initiatives.

A self-starter, and a highly skilled communicator, you will be pivotal in developing good links between treatment & support services, North Lanarkshire Recovery Community (NLRC) and aftercare provision. Employed by Recovery Scotland, you will be comfortable in working with a range of stakeholders to develop and champion a robust recovery orientated system of care that has peer development at its heart.

Length of contract: Initially to 31 March 2026, thereafter to be determined primarily by the availability of funding and the performance of the post holder.

You will:

• Have a recognised professional qualification at a minimum of SVQ level 4
• Have a demonstrable experience in managing a dedicated staff team
• Have a good understanding of and familiarity with what works to promote and sustain recovery
• Be successful in providing evidence-based recovery interventions, and
• Have an ability to work flexibly and creatively in motivating, supporting and developing people in recovery

About the project

The 'Young Start Progressions' programme at 'The Pavilion' will be a dynamic initiative led entirely by young people, supported by staff and volunteers and by existing and new partnership opportunities. Our three-pronged approach aims to empower young individuals across various stages of their development:

Primary/Secondary Transitions Programme: We will provide support for P7, S1, and S2 young people as they transition from primary to secondary school, fostering empowerment, confidence, and improved self-esteem in a non-school environment.

Volunteer Mentoring Programme: Expanding on our successful volunteering mentoring initiative, we offer diverse opportunities for young volunteers, connecting them with roles both within Pavilion and through our network of school partnerships and community collaborations.

Attainment Programme: Focused on enhancing pathways for Junior and Senior Club participants, we integrate life skills development seamlessly into existing activities. From goal-setting exercises, certificated activity programmes to accredited learning and further training opportunities.

Aim of the Attainment Programme:

The overall aim of the Attainment Programme is to deliver a programme of services to target and support young people in the Easterhouse area of Glasgow by helping them to attain a recognised qualification and gain recognition for the learning and development they have achieved by taking part in our programmes.

The aim is:

• To develop and inspire young people
• To promote attainment and progression for young people and provide pathways including
• volunteering opportunities
• To recognise and celebrate young people’s achievements
• Create pathways for young people to progress

The Outcomes are:

• Accredit non-formal learning through voluntary activity in the community
• Increase leadership and mentoring

Job Role:

We are seeking to appoint an Attainment Worker to help each participant is matched to an award and has a personal development plan and tracked learner journey.

Working across our range of programmes the Attainment Worker will work with young people identifying the best fit for the specific awards and the individual activities. The successful candidate will work alongside staff to collate evidence and ensure that electronic portfolios are kept up to date with all evidence captured.

The Attainment Worker will assist staff, volunteers and young people to help ensure targets are achieved and progression pathways created for young people, supporting them to overcome barriers to participation and learning.