Strategic Partnership Specialist

Job Purpose

This role supports the development and delivery of strategic partnership activity, including Vision Collaborative Scotland, research and workforce development initiatives, working with colleagues and external partners to build collaboration and improve outcomes for people with vision loss.

Key Responsibilities:

Partnership Development and Sector Engagement

·       Maintain effective relationships with Government, health and social care, the wider public sector, academia and other relevant partners.

·       Support the Head of Strategic Partnerships to identify and develop opportunities for collaborative working.

·       Represent Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans at relevant networks, meetings, forums and events.

·       Coordinate partnership activity, actions and follow-up.

·       Support the management and delivery of grants, working with Fundraising colleagues.

Vision Collaborative Scotland Coordination and Development

·       Coordinate VCS meetings, working groups and activity in line with agreed priorities and timescales.

·       Prepare accessible agendas and papers, coordinate meetings and maintain accurate records of decisions and actions.

·       Track actions, deadlines and information requirements, following up with colleagues and partners.

·       Support the delivery of VCS projects, initiatives and events.

·       Coordinate VCS communications, digital content, publications and resources with Communications and Engagement colleagues.

·       Support the preparation of presentations, reports and other materials showcasing VCS activity.

Research and knowledge development

·       Undertake desk research and develop evidence bases for selected VCS programmes.

·       Support the Head of Strategic Partnerships in commissioning and managing research with external consultants and universities.

·       Coordinate and deliver research-related events, publications and communications.

Workforce and Education Sector Development

·       Coordinate the administration and delivery of professional education initiatives supporting the vision impairment workforce, including scholarship programmes and Sight Scotland-supported education schemes.

·       Liaise with education providers, participants and internal colleagues to ensure schemes are delivered effectively and to agreed timescales.

·       Support the development and promotion of educational opportunities in collaboration with relevant partners.

Information, Records and Reporting

·       Maintain accurate and accessible records across partnership, VCS, education and research activity.

·       Track actions, deadlines and information requirements.

·       Provide updates, reports and management information to support monitoring and decision-making.

Ways of Working

·       Works collaboratively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders to build positive and productive relationships.

·       Brings people together, shares information and supports collective approaches to achieving agreed outcomes.

·       Works closely with the Head of Strategic Partnerships and colleagues across Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans to coordinate activity and maintain momentum.

·       Builds trusted relationships with external partners, listening to different perspectives and responding constructively.

·       Adapts their communication and approach to work effectively with different audiences and organisations.

·       Takes a proactive, organised and solutions-focused approach to managing priorities and supporting delivery.

Our Expectations

We expect colleagues to act with integrity, share knowledge openly, support others to succeed, and adapt positively to change. These behaviours are essential to how we achieve our mission and deliver high-quality services. Read more about our values on our website.

Experience and Skills Required

·       Experience of developing and maintaining effective partnerships and stakeholder relationships.

·       Understanding of the vision impairment, sensory impairment or related sector.

·       Experience of coordinating projects or collaborative activity involving multiple stakeholders.

·       Experience of undertaking research and bringing together information from a range of sources.

·       Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage different audiences.

·       Ability to manage competing priorities, work collaboratively and deliver activity to agreed timescales.

Desirable

·       Experience of working in the charity or voluntary sector.

·       Experience of working with Government, public sector, health and social care or academic organisations.

·       Experience of policy, workforce development or professional education initiatives.

·       Experience of managing website or social media content.

Organisational Context

The Strategic Partnerships Specialist sits within the Social Change Directorate and reports to the Head of Strategic Partnerships. The role supports the development and coordination of strategic partnerships, Vision Collaborative Scotland, research and workforce development activity, working collaboratively with colleagues across Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans and with external partners to support positive outcomes for people with vision loss.