Head Of Communications And External Affairs Jobs in Edinburgh, Scotland

The Head of Scotland and Northern Ireland is responsible for leading our vision to end the need for food banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Scotland currently leads the way in having a rights-based, progressive agenda to ending the need for food banks, but there is much to do to ensure political intentions become a reality. This role directs Trussell Trust’s policy and public affairs work in Scotland and Northern Ireland, leads our Scotland and Northern Ireland department as they support our network of food banks and works strategically with key partners to tackle the underlying reasons why people need to come to food banks.  

Based in Scotland or Northern Ireland, with travel around the UK as necessary

Role responsibilities 

• Lead the delivery of the Trussell Trust strategy for ending the need for food banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland, working to embed the Changing Communities, Changing Minds and Changing Policy programmes across the network, including through providing strategic support for the effective delivery of the Pathfinder, FI and organising programmes in Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

• Work with key partners to direct Trussell Trust’s policy and public affairs and work with the Scottish government and local authorities across Scotland. 

• Facilitate the sharing of learning from Scotland to help shape our long-term policy and public affairs work in Northern Ireland. 

• Lead the Scotland and Northern Ireland department to ensure the safe and effective operations of the food bank network. 

• Work with our Head of Strategic Church Engagement to deliver a church engagement strategy that will mobilise the church in Scotland and Northern Ireland to work to end the need for food banks. 

• Work with the Policy, Research and Impact, and Network Programmes and Innovation directorates to ensure effective cross-departmental working on policy and research opportunities, strategic priorities, church engagement, external partnerships and impact reporting. 

Person Specification 

Technical skills and minimum knowledge: 

• Senior level experience of leading delivery programmes nationally and locally. 

• Senior level experience of directing policy and public affairs programme nationally and locally, and representing the Trussell Trust to senior government representatives, national stakeholders and the media. 

• Expertise of significantly growing and managing services, project and programmes to drive change; leading, motivating and inspiring teams; leading culture change; able to manage multiple projects, identifying conflicting demands and establishing clear priorities in order to meet agreed objectives. 

• An effective communicator, verbally and in writing. Diplomatic and with the interpersonal skills required by the role. 

• Ensure that due regard is given to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion within all objectives that report into this department. 

Behaviours and competencies: 

• Demonstrate a commitment to the values of the Trussell Trust. 

• Demonstrates empathy for people from disadvantaged, marginalised or socially- excluded backgrounds. 

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced and high-performing organisation, combining problem-solving with collaborative interpersonal skills. 

• Effective communication skills; diplomatic; effectively builds rapport with individuals and groups; presents information accessibly and in a format appropriate to the audience. 

• Role model inclusive behaviour and leadership. 

Press and Media Relations Officer

The Press and Media Relations Officer represents the work of SCIE, acting as the point of contact for members of the press and other media representatives. The post holder is responsible for maintaining the profile and reputation of the charity and helping to achieve our influencing objectives with policymakers and leaders in the social care sector. Responsibilities include disseminating information to members of the press and other media to raise awareness of SCIE’s policy positions, research findings and improvement programmes. The post holder will help shape and deliver media influencing plans that support SCIE’s influencing objectives and use a variety of channels to achieve these objectives, including both traditional and social media. 

About us

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) is a national charity with a clear vision of a society where care and support maximise people’s choices, removes social inequality, and enables people to live fulfilling, safe and healthy lives. To achieve this we research, evidence, share and support the implementation of best practice. We use this evidence and experience to shape policy and outcomes, and to raise awareness of the importance of social care and social work for creating a fair and equal society. Everything we do is informed by people with experience of care and support.

At the SCIE, we are driven by our values:

· Progressive – always learning and developing.

· Inclusive – working together for equality, diversity, and fairness.

· Credible – evidence-based, robust, and reliable.

· Transparent – open and honest.

General responsibilities: 

• Have fun and challenge yourself at work, model the charity’s values and abide by our policies and practices. 

• Embrace diversity and share in our commitment to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. 

• Work flexibly and positively contributing to good team working and the delivery of the SCIE’s objectives through matrix working. 

• Show a clear commitment to working with people with lived experience in a sensitive and non-judgmental way to facilitate positive working relationships. 

• Other tasks as may be required, commensurate with the level of the post 

Please see the Job Description as an attachement for further detail

Job Title: Assistant Director Activism & Advocacy

Location: Flexible - Home-based, Shelter Office-based, or combination with regular travel to London and other locations

Contract Type: Permanent Full Time

Salary: £78,414 per annum

Hours: 37.5 per week (pro-rata if part-time)

Leave: 30 days holiday per annum + Exceptional Benefits

Closing Date: 27th May 2024 at 23.30pm

About Shelter

A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination, and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change, with individuals, in communities, across society, and leading the way to a safe home.

We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

At Shelter we are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent.

We have committed to combat racism both within and outside Shelter and welcome you on our journey to becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.

About the Team

This role is part of the Communications, Policy, and Campaigns (CPC) team, which drives Shelter's ground-breaking campaigning efforts.

The CPC team leads initiatives advocating for social housing, renters' rights, and ending the housing emergency.

As our Assistant Director Activism & Advocacy, you'll work alongside other Assistant Directors, contributing to a collaborative, non-hierarchical decision-making environment.

About the Role

As Assistant Director Activism & Advocacy, you will provide strategic direction to the heads of Digital campaigning, Community Organising, Policy, Research, and Public Affairs teams.

You'll support the development of high-profile campaigns and drive continual improvement to achieve Shelter's strategic goals.

This role involves building strong relationships across Shelter, promoting collaboration, and acting as a spokesperson when required.

You'll need excellent political instincts, campaign experience, and the ability to oversee the production of high-quality policy and research.

About You

We're seeking candidates with experience in matrix management environments, senior leadership skills in project/change management, and a track record of impactful campaigning, policy, research, or public affairs activities.

You should demonstrate the Shelter Behaviours, including collaboration, prioritising diversity, enabling decision-making, creating change, openness to risk, and learning from experiences.

How to apply

You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement. The supporting statement should include why you’re interested in the role and address the following 3 questions. The supporting statement should be no more than two A4 pages.

1. Can you provide examples of your experience leading and implementing high-profile campaign strategies that have resulted in significant political impact, particularly in influencing complex policy decisions at the highest levels?

2. Please provide an example of how you have successfully worked across different teams/departments and delivered on cross-organisational objectives?

3. Considering Shelter's commitment to being an anti-racist organisation, can you outline how you would integrate anti-racism and equity principles into your leadership approach within the context of driving strategic change and delivering impactful activism and advocacy initiatives?

Please note any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered.
 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension, and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support, and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

To find out more about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter please visit our website. Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing, and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies. 

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

We're looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Senior Events Fundraiser to join our well-respected team responsible for full project management of a range of third party events.

Senior Events Fundraiser (Third Party Events)
Type: Full-time (35 hours a week), permanent
Location: Office-based in Edinburgh with flexibility to work remotely.
Salary: £35,652 - £37,747 per annum plus excellent benefits 
Salary Band: Band E2

About us  

We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK. 

Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus.

Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information.

Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference. 

About this job

Our Third Party Events team are working to raise up to £2m+ across a range of activities in 2024, and we need brilliant people to help achieve our ambitious fundraising goals.

In this role, you'll be responsible for managing a portfolio of third party challenge events to target, and for innovating, developing and delivering new fundraising activities.

You'll also be monitoring and evaluating all products to create opportunities for future growth. This role is customer-focused and you'll spend lots of time stewarding our amazing supporters to maximise their fundraising.

This is an exciting opportunity to steward fundraising teams of significant size, as well as helping to shape the future third party events strategy.

The portfolio is well-established and includes a mixture of events activities, including runs, cycles and challenges. You'll have contact with event participants and supporters and manage relationships with a number of third party agencies, while working with other colleagues in our Community and Events team.

If you’re an enthusiastic and supporter-focused team player, who is motivated by the idea of raising more funds than ever for a fantastic cause, we’d love to hear from you.

We recognise the significant and excellent contributions; experience; and skills our employees bring to the MS Society.

Working with external pay and reward consultants, we’re taking active steps this year to review our employees’ pay and benefits package. Ensuring we’re aligned with the most accurate and up-to-date benchmarks for the UK charity sector.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Friday 10 May 2024

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to): 

Encouraging work life balance

• 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
• More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
• Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us) 
• Flexible working options 

Caring for you and your family 

• Generous sick pay entitlement
• More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment 
• Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year 
• Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis 
• Enhanced leave for new parents 
• Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
• Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
• 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
• In the event of miscarriage or still birth 
• To support fertility treatments
• For antenatal appointments for both parents
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Death in service scheme 
• Health cash plans to help offset the cost of health care for you and your family 

Thinking about your finances 

• Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
• Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
• New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing

Enriching your life at work

• Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
• Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
• New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely 
• Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups) 
• Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community) 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal

Equal Opportunities 
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.

We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application. 

Disability Confident Employer 
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.

You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.

If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.

Safeguarding 
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.

This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.

We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.

We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.

Your right to work in the UK 
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.

You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.

No agencies please.