A hugely exciting and challenging opportunity to manage the Bothy and Rural Connections programmes in Scotland with responsibility for project and financial management, as well as line management of the Senior Project Officers.

This multifaceted role spans across several Cycling UK projects in Scotland, alongside the Head of Development Scotland, to enable the effective and successful delivery of projects. Strong planning and management skills are a must, as well as a good understanding of the needs of different communities, including remote and rural populations. We are looking for somebody who has an aptitude towards building relationships, support, and who can motivate a team working at a distance.

This influential role is essential to the success of Cycling UK’s projects in compelling change and bettering the lives of others through cycling. Tell us why you are the person to drive impact in this capacity.

Join us to help create a social enterprise in every school in Scotland in the next 3 years.

In their 10 year Strategy for Social Enterprise, the Scottish Government announced its ambition to see a social enterprise in every school in Scotland. We have been tasked with leading on the delivery of this goal.

“If you could create a business to solve any social issue in your community, country or the world, what would it be?” This is what we ask young people across Scotland every year. The result? Innovative social enterprises that are completely pupil-led and solving the issues that matter most to them.

From making sustainable crafts to funding community defibrillators to tackling local unemployment through computer coding classes, these young people are stepping up, taking action and demanding change.

Since the Social Enterprise in Education programme began we’ve had over 1,600 school engagements across Scotland and in that time we have seen young people change how they see themselves and grow hugely in confidence while building essential skills for the future. We work with nurseries, primary and secondary schools and schools for young people with additional support needs.

Your role will be to support this activity from our Edinburgh head office, supporting facilitators and social entrepreneurs to work with the schools to make this vision a reality. As part of a highly motivated team, this opportunity offers variety, satisfaction and a great opportunity to be part of something that is making a difference to Scotland.

Having the right mind-set, attitude and approach is as important for us as having the right experience and skills. We appreciate that the best person might not have all the listed criteria yet, so if you feel your experience and skills will help you to make a great contribution in this role and you have the right mind-set, we would welcome an application from you.

Job Purpose

To work closely with the Education Manager and rest of the Education team to coordinate the roll-out of Social Enterprise Schools in your area. Providing excellent customer service, relationship building and coordination skills to support schools throughout the Academic year, ensuring young people and teachers get the best possible experience taking part in Social Enterprise Schools.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the schools in your area, supporting existing schools, promoting the programme and recruiting new schools
• Act as the first point of enquiry for teachers and schools, providing information about the programme and support in getting started and background to linking the programme to Curriculum for Excellence
• Support schools applying for our Social Enterprise Awards, sharing appropriate resources and local contacts to assist schools, supporting them to develop their business plans
• Continually work with and support other team members and facilitators to increase impact and ensure young people/teachers have an amazing experience taking part in the programme
• Represent the Education Team at various events and networking opportunities
• Work with the Marketing and Communications Officer to raise the profile of the Schools programme, obtain material and input to promote the programme, including content for case studies, Education Showcase and the annual Schools Special of the Big Issue Magazine
• Regularly review the changing dynamics of the Education landscape, and in particular the Local Authorities in your area, to ensure that we maximise opportunities to collaborate and partner with others to increase awareness of the programme and ensure its success

Based in West Scotland (Some remote working, some travel to schools/meetings across your area as well as the opportunity to work with colleagues in Glasgow & the option to work in our Edinburgh office, in line with regulations at that time)

Organisation profile:

The Social Enterprise Academy is a social enterprise that connects changemakers with transformational learning and development.

Created in 2004, we deliver innovative leadership and entrepreneurship programmes that empower individuals, communities, and organisations in Scotland and internationally to become more sustainable and have greater impact.

Through our Social Enterprise Schools programme created in partnership with The Scottish Government, we will provide every young person in Scotland the opportunity to run their own social enterprise by 2024. By stepping up to solve the issues that matter most to them, young people of all ages and abilities also develop essential skills for life, learning and work.

A little about the role and service:

The STAY mentoring service provides community-based support and in-college support to young people at greatest risk of withdrawal from learning due to circumstances and challenges they face. For example, poverty, accommodation/housing issues, childcare, finances ,debt, family/relationship issues, justice system or mental health.

The programme is focused on working alongside colleges to improve retention rates for particular groups of young people, particularly those from Care experienced or those who face significant challenges to engaging in learning. The service aims to improve the poor retention rates within colleges for these young people and leaners.

Our mentoring service works alongside the current Student Services provision within the college structure, however, the role will provide additional support both inside the college support and outside the college campus.

As an Employment Facilitator, you will support young people in college. We have vacancies in Edinburgh and cover 4 college campuses. all based in Edinburgh.

Some engagement may be delivered remotely during the current COVID restrictions. The role is a blended approach split between homeworking, college based and within the community.

You will help our Young People by:

-Supporting young people who face significant challenges engaging in learning to assist them with a successful transition into further education or adapt to college life at enrolment stage by offering support within the college and within their local community, including some out of hours support.

-Supporting young people to prevent them from withdrawing from further education, due to family/personal/community-based issues.

-Linking with college staff to identify students with barriers to attending or progressing with their college studies or at risk of leaving college into a negative destination and becoming unemployed.

-Offering individualised support for each student identified in line with his or her unique needs, issues, and circumstances, this may include financial, housing, advocacy and wellbeing support.

What are we looking for from you:

- To be committed, passionate and motivated. We are, and we want you to be too.

-To be educated to SVQ 3/HNC level or have previous experience in a similar setting. We don't need you to have both but it's great if you do.

-An understanding of the issues that young people face.

-The ability to engage and understand young people from a wide range of backgrounds and the ability to work in partnership with other organisations.

-A current driving license and access to a car to enable the duties of the role to be carried out effectively.