The Poverty Alliance are recruiting a Living Wage Project Assistant to support delivery of our highly successful national programme: Living Wage Scotland.

Living Wage Scotland was launched in 2014 by the Poverty Alliance to increase the number of employers that are recognised for paying their staff the real Living Wage. It is a partnership with the Living Wage Foundation, with Scottish Government as a key funder.

The Living Wage employer movement has grown to now over 3500 employers in Scotland, and over 14,000 across the UK. We have since expanded our engagement with employers on additional schemes that support fair work, namely Living Wage Places, Living Pension and Living Hours.

We are seeking a Living Wage Project Assistant to support our employer engagement, marketing and communications activities that contribute to the growth of the Living Wage employer movement in Scotland.

The post will suit a creative individual who has experience in creating written copy and social media content in a professional setting, has excellent verbal and written communication skills and outstanding organisation and prioritisation abilities but also a strong commitment to achieving social justice and a desire to tackle in-work poverty.

Responsibilities will include supporting internal and external communications activities, maintaining our website and social media platforms, contributing to the development of digital and print assets and materials relevant to the project aims (case studies, web materials, articles, promotional resources), supporting events (virtual and in-person), and supporting the delivery of Living Wage Scotland’s communications strategy.

The role will involve close collaborative work within a small team, and direct engagement with our growing network of accredited Living Wage employers.

About Lanark Community Development Trust

Lanark Community Development Trust (LCDT) is an independent Scottish charity, and one of a growing network of Development Trusts across Scotland. Established in 2009, our aim is to develop and deliver community projects which have a positive social, environmental, or economic impact on the town of Lanark and the surrounding area. We were one of the lead partners in the development of the ‘Vision for Lanark’, a strategic plan for the town, and continue to work in partnership with Discover Lanark and other third sector groups to deliver projects and maximise our impact.

LCDT is led by a team of Trustees who all serve on a voluntary capacity. We are also a membership organisation and offer a number of volunteering opportunities.

Recent projects delivered by LCDT include the redevelopment of Deadman’s Lane with Lanark Grammar School, the interpretation of the Wallace gap Site, and the installation of the Clydesdale Horse at Lanark Market. One of our core projects is the management and development of Castlebank Horticultural Centre (CHC). This purpose-built facility is located within the historic grounds of Castlebank Park and provides a community growing space, with associated training and learning facilities. Income generated through CHC is reinvested in the LCDT and our projects.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for a motivated and energetic Development Manager to lead the operations of Castlebank Horticultural Centre and support the development of other projects run by LCDT, whilst working with local partners to maximise capacity to create positive interventions for Lanark. This funded position is initially for one year, but we hope your drive will lead to continuation funding.

What you will be doing:

You will lead on the operation and development of Castlebank Horticultural Centre and other LCDT properties, working to create well-managed and engaging spaces with sustainable income streams. You will also provide support to LCDT-wide operations including project co-ordination, administration & membership management, volunteer support, board meeting facilitation, and marketing & communications. You will work the equivalent of one day a week with the Trust’s partner, Discover Lanark, on their social media pages and website.

The Enterprise Officer will work with the Chief Executive and the wider team to develop and implement a marketing plan that increases income through the efficient delivery and strategic long-term growth of Green Hive’s various lines of commercial trade, meeting specific targets for each of the next two years (April 2024-March 2026) and using both in-person and online channels to facilitate profitable business-to-business and business-to-consumer interactions.

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 and growth. Recent investment from the Postcode Innovation Trust takes us to the next level, and the recruitment of a dedicated marketing and sales specialist will be pivotal to our ongoing plans. 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 Enterprise Officer will support these activities, playing a key role in the implementation and continuing evolution of our five-year strategic business plan.

We are looking for a family worker to deliver sessions, clubs and activities for our children, and families. The delivery will be varied and will always be driven by the needs of the community.

You will also be responsible for working on trips and holiday programs.

There will also be the remit of devising and implementing new projects and clubs as guided by funding requirements and service user’s needs.

You will work in partnership with local organisations and schools and build up strong positive community links.

The Base is a place based project your will be expected to work alongside and supporting local volunteers.

You will work to enhance the lives of local children by ensuring activities are provided to develop their mental, emotional, physical and social well-being needs.

You will also be committed to ongoing personal development and undertake training or other professional development activities as required.

All other reasonable duties will be required to be undertaken as and when required and agreed with the Project Manager.