Partnership Advisor (Scotland)

About Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

National charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, trains dogs to transform the lives of deaf people and provides hearing loss services – because nobody with hearing loss should feel alone.

About the role

We are seeking a compassionate, proactive, and organised Interim Partnership Advisor to join our Partnership Support Team on a full-time basis. You’ll manage a defined geographic area covering Borders, East, North East and Highlands.

Responsible to: Partnership Support Area Manager.

Based: Community based in Scotland (covering Borders, East, North East and Highlands).

Contract: Permanent, full-time.

Key Responsibilities

Companionship – Supporting Thriving Partnerships:

• Provide long-term, person-centred advice, guidance, and wellbeing planning to partnerships within an allocated regional area.  Ensuring all recipients feel they are treated with attention, courtesy and respect.  
• Manage a caseload of partnerships, ensuring regular in-person visits (once per quarter after the first 6 months) and ongoing tailored support via multiple channels. 
• Develop and implement partnership support and wellbeing plans, with robust risk management measures. 
• Support the integration of new partnerships into the local community, delivering monthly support throughout the first 6 months. 
• Lead on retirement and bereavement pathways, offering planning, preparation, emotional support, and signposting to alternative Hearing Link Services (HLS) where appropriate. 
• Provide behavioural guidance and targeted interventions to maintain healthy, successful partnerships. 

Connection – Building Community and Networks:

• Organise and attend local community events to strengthen relationships and engagement. 
• Deliver peer-based community programmes that bring together partnerships and Peer Support Volunteers to share experiences, insights, and encouragement. 
• Facilitate support groups for hearing dog partnerships, encouraging shared learning, problem-solving, and mutual encouragement. 
• Work collaboratively with internal teams, volunteers, and external agencies—including support workers, local councils, employers, and veterinary practices—to remove barriers and improve outcomes. 
• Advocate Partnership Volunteer Updates to maintain volunteer engagement and connection. 

Confidence – Empowering Partnerships to Flourish:

• Focus on quality of service and partnership outcomes, adapting support levels to meet individual needs. 
• Provide timely emergency cover and practical assistance within the allocated territory, with ad hoc support to neighbouring counties as required. 
• Conduct thorough root cause analysis to identify underlying issues and implement early interventions through targeted coaching and problem-solving. 
• Apply person-centred, evidence-based decision-making to manage partnership breakdowns, returns, cases, and alerts effectively. 
• Conduct annual assessments of each partnerships performance and wellbeing to review ongoing requirements and verify continued compliance with accreditation standards. 
• Keep partnership records accurate, current, and reflective of evolving needs. 
• Capture and share impactful stories to showcase the value and outcomes of our work. 
• Maintain and continually develop expertise in hearing loss, assistive technology, hearing awareness, dog training, and canine wellbeing. 
• Join team events, meetings, and training at regional locations and Hearing Dogs centres, with occasional overnight stays to connect, learn, and collaborate.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

You will need  full UK Driving Licence and willingness to travel within and around Borders, East, North East and Highlands, and to our centres.

Knowledge:

• Canine Behaviour & Training: Up-to-date knowledge of canine training practices, behaviour reinforcement, and emotional wellbeing support. 
• Task-Related Assessment: Ability to monitor and evaluate a dog’s task performance, identifying and addressing lapses. 
• Hearing Loss & Deaf Awareness: BSL Level 2 or above with strong Deaf awareness. 
• Partnership Development: Understanding of person-centred support approaches and the user experience throughout the partnership lifecycle. 
• Organisational Policies & Standards: Knowledge of HR policies, GDPR, equality legislation, and Assistance Dogs International (ADI) standards. 

Skills:

• Behavioural Guidance: Provide advice on maintaining and reinforcing behaviours, resolving challenges, and refining training plans. 
• Listening & Empathy: Demonstrate strong listening skills, emotional intelligence, and compassion, especially when working with vulnerable people or those experiencing grief. 
• Relationship Building: Establish and maintain trust-based relationships with partnerships, volunteers, and stakeholders. 
• Problem-Solving & Conflict Resolution: Apply solution-focused methods, coaching, and mentoring to resolve partnership or task issues. 
• Root Cause Analysis: Identify and address recurring challenges by working with internal teams on sustainable solutions. 
• Time Management & Organisation: Manage multiple partnerships and initiatives effectively, meeting deadlines and priorities. 
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work productively with colleagues across different departments and functions. 
• Communication: Adapt communication style for different audiences; communicate clearly across teams, stakeholders, and volunteers. 
• Storytelling: Create engaging communications about partnership journeys for updates and stakeholder engagement. 
• Driving: Hold a valid driving licence and be able to travel within the allocated territory. 

Behaviours:

• Self-Conduct: Lead and motivate others, holding self and others accountable while maintaining professionalism. 
• Person-Centred Mindset: Tailor support and training to the unique needs, learning styles, and abilities of each partnership. 
• Community Building: Foster a sense of belonging by creating opportunities for partnerships and volunteers to connect and collaborate. 
• Accountability & Reliability: Deliver on commitments, meeting organisational and partnership expectations. 
• Continuous Learning: Maintain professional development in canine behaviour, hearing loss, and assistive technologies. 
• Professionalism: Act respectfully, reliably, and with integrity in all interactions

Benefits:

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Death in Service Payment
• Annual leave enhancements recognising long service 
• Day off for your birthday 
• Defined contribution group personal pension plan 
• Enhanced sick pay 
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay 
• Eye care 
• Hearing tests 
• Learning and Development opportunities 
• Discounts on merchandise at Hearing Dog gift shops 
• Pet Dog Policy

Closing date: 23rd October 2026.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 due to its duties involving the protection of children and/or adults at risk. Applicants are therefore required to disclose all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands, as well as any relevant non-conviction information. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with the Police Act 1997 (Part V).