WorkingRite seeks to stop the cycle of deprivation and poverty that occur in so many communities across Scotland. We do this through our award-winning, youth employability programme, which sees practical work skills coupled with personal development, strengthened through a mentored work placement with a small, local business of the young person’s choice.

Our flexible, person-centred programme of training, support and work placements puts the young person at the heart of their future, helping those 15 – 24 years old who are furthest from the job market, to gain real skills and a foothold on the employability ladder. We have been operating as a charity since 2011 and in that time have supported over 3,500 young people into a positive destination. We currently operate programmes in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Argyll & Bute, Aberdeen and East Ayrshire.

WorkingRite have recently secured significant investment that will see us grow our work across the country. We have also recently appointed a new CEO who has a vision to see us increase our work in the 5 local authorities we already work in and expand into new areas of Scotland where the needs of young people are greatest.

All this means it is a very exciting time to be joining WorkingRite.

This exciting role will manage the delivery of the Rite to Work programme within secondary schools across our delivery areas. Developing the model across education authorities for growth and sustainability; the successful candidate will lead and inspire our team of Project Coordinators to deliver a comprehensive and quality programme which creates lasting impact for young school leavers.

This is a multifaceted role, that requires an ability to understand our on-ground delivery, whilst putting structures and processes in place that support the team in successfully delivering positives outcomes for the young people we support.

With significant investment recently received to grow Rite to Work, the ability to manage and engage and report on its progress internally and to key stakeholders including local authorities, education authorities and other key partners is key. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving the organisational strategy forward and developing the Rite to Work programme as a recognised progression route for secondary school pupils across Scotland.

(This role is suitable for Hybrid working. We offer Flexible Working by default)

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.)

Anyone working in Throughcare and Aftercare will already know who we are and what we do. That we have a strong reputation for living our values and are well respected for our approach to co-design with care experienced young people transitioning into adulthood, care leavers, and the workforce that supports them.

For anyone else reading this advert, you should know that we are Scotland’s only national charity and membership organisation for all those working with young people leaving care. We have a unique blend of statutory, third sector and private sector members who have the responsibility and accountability to improve the life chances of Scotland's care-experienced young people, and we support them through the following 5 pillars of our strategic plan:

• Listening to Young People
• Connecting Members
• Influencing Policy
• A system that privileges relationships
• All underpinned by: Good Governance.

At the centre of all our work is the voice of young people/adults leaving care and making the change to the system, policy and practice that will allow them to live happy successful lives on their own terms.

As we orientate to delivering on the Promise in 2024 and beyond, and to ensure the rights and voices of care experienced people and the workforce around them are heard, we are building capacity into the operational management of our team to accelerate our strategic priorities.

So if Staf sounds like the type of organisation you would like to contribute to; if you are open to working hard to support the internal culture and approach to being part of a small team that has each other’s back to deliver on our strategic priorities as you do the work itself; and if you have the required skills and experience to ‘hit the ground running’ then we would love to hear from you.

In return we can offer you the salary, annual leave and pension contribution outlined in the job description; flexibility over work base; an internal organisational culture committed to space for reflective supervision and team committed to working in a trauma-informed way and living our Values, We Listen. We Care. We Love.