- Advertised from 25th January 2023
Role
Victim Support Scotland (VSS) continues to be at the forefront of providing emotional, practical and financial support for anyone affected by crime.
Our services are available throughout Scotland, both in local communities and in the courts. With a new strategy in place which will guide the organisation towards 2026 the organisation is building on solid foundations already established.
Whether an experienced Trustee or new to this position, you will have an interest in social justice, and regardless of the skillset you bring, it is your determination and commitment which will support this organisation to deliver its four strategic pillars.
We are seeking Trustees who can bring skills in Criminal Justice; Digital and IT; Finance; or Health.
Third sector experience would be beneficial, as would an understanding of governance and stewardship of organisations.
Purpose: Use your skills and expertise to drive the strategy of VSS, ensuring all activity is in line with the charity’s core mission and working collaboratively with other Trustees and the Chair. All trustees have legal duties and responsibilities under the Trustees’ Charity & Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. See OSCR guidance Charity Trustee Duties.
You will:
• Decide the organisation’s strategic direction, mission and priorities.
• Take all reasonable steps to achieve the organisation’s strategy, mission and priorities.
• Ensure that VSS complies with its governing documents, charity law and other relevant legislation.
• Ensure that the organisation is managed in accordance with the decisions of the Board and its strategic priorities, making effective use of resources. • Ensure that all staff, volunteers and members act in a manner consistent with the charitable purposes of VSS. • Scrutinise, evaluate and account for the organisation’s performance
• Ensure that there is an effective risk management system in operation to safeguard the organisation’s sustainability, financial and otherwise, and to protect its assets and reputation.
• Maintain open and transparent methods of selection for Board and Office Bearer appointments and that of staff at all levels.
• Regularly review the performance of the Board, the Chair and individual Trustees.
• Take appropriate disciplinary action as required in relation to any member who is in serious or persistent breach of that code.
• Always act in the interests of the organisation.
• To safeguard the good name and values of VSS.
• To adhere to the VSS trustee code of conduct.
• Adherence to Guidance for charity trustees as produced by OSCR.
Trustees will typically serve a term of three years, but can be eligible for reappointment by the Board.
Application notes
If you’re excited to learn more, please contact email lynda.matheson@victimsupportsco.org.uk
Applications in the form of a tailored CV and covering letter, highlighting your skills and experience pertinent to the role, should arrive no later than Sunday 12th March 2023 and be sent to Jobs@victimsupportsco.org.uk
Please note that the covering letter should be no more than 2 pages of A4 and should summarise your relevant skills and experience and motivations for applying for the role.
Stage 1 interviews: 23rd March 2023.
To download an application pack, please go to: victimsupport.scot/we-are-now-looking-for-new-trustees
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Chair and Board of Director opportunities at Legal Services Agency (LSA)!
Would you like to help make a difference to address inequality and achieve social justice? Get on board as a Chair or Director joining LSA’s Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors play a crucial role in shaping our vision and mission. This is a particularly exciting time to join the Board as we set our Strategic priorities and enter our Fourth decade of challenging injustice.
LSA takes pride in tackling unmet legal needs, addressing the effects of poverty, disadvantage and discrimination. As one of the largest law centre in Scotland, we provide legal advice and representation and enhance legal education through research, publications and seminars.
We are currently looking to appoint:
- Chair of the Board of Directors leading the Board of Directors to ensure it fulfils its governance responsibilities.
- Board of Directors responsible for the overall governance, financial management and strategic direction of LSA.
The incoming Chair will have the opportunity for a handover and transition, working with our current Chair until January/February 2025.
We welcome new directors to our Board with a diverse range of experience – from legal campaigners to community activists. Ideally (but not required) we’d like applicants with experience or knowledge of the following areas - – legal or voluntary sector, , business development and marketing, digital development and IT management, financial management, policy and campaigning, HR and people management, central government or local authorities.
You may be a professional with specific skills which we need to drive our Law Centre forward, or have general experience of committee skills; but you may also be a local campaigner committed to social justice and working to achieve a more equal society. We are looking to build a diverse Board with a range of ages and backgrounds that can reflect the areas of work we are involved in and provide the necessary oversight of the complex work we do.
Enthusiasm, commitment and a willingness to get involved are key attributes. Previous Board/Trustee experience is not essential and we welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds and will support you and provide necessary training where required.
The role of Board of Directors is voluntary and whilst the role is unpaid, Board Directors find the role hugely rewarding and any expenses incurred in the role will be reimbursed. Board of Directors are requested where possible to participate in various Sub-Committees and attend LSA’s AGM and Strategic Development Day. Board of Directors meet at least six times per year. In addition to Sub-Committees meetings six times a year.
We are looking to recruit a passionate, committed person, with experience of working with young people and adults to join our team join our team as a Navigator supporting individuals away from violence.
In this equally challenging and rewarding role you will have the opportunity to be a stabilising influence on young people & adults and walk alongside them as they create healthier, safer lives.
Legal Services Agency (LSA) are seeking an experienced Finance Assistant to join our Finance team.
LSA is one of Scotland’s largest Law Centres. Through its solicitors and other staff, operating as Brown & Co. Legal LLP, LSA has a 30-year legacy of serving individuals, families and communities across Scotland, addressing unmet legal need and the effects of poverty, disadvantage and discrimination. LSA’s legal service has developed pioneering legal remedies through test cases and campaigns on issues such as dampness, housing repair and evictions, Criminal Injuries Compensation, mental health law and asylum and immigration law. LSA also delivers a wide range of seminars and training programmes and publications on legal themes.
We provide high-quality legal advice, assistance and representation in areas of housing law, preventing homelessness, mental health, discrimination, welfare benefits and social security, community care, criminal injuries compensation and employment law.
The work is rewarding, and the expertise of the Service is highly regarded and nationally recognised. The post offers scope to develop your skills through LSA’s in-house training seminars.
About you
You will have experience in undertaking day to day responsibilities in maintaining accurate financial records and undertaking bank reconciliations to audit standards. Working with the Finance Manager, you will have experience of assisting in preparing financial reports and budgeting. You will be able to assist in communicating with the wider team to progress and resolve matters falling in the remit of the Finance Department. You will be a team player and will be flexible in taking on a variety of tasks.
About Us
Tiny Changes is Scotland’s first national young people’s mental health charity. We run projects with young leaders that help young minds feel better. The charity was set up in memory of artist and Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchison. Through his music and art Scott made tiny changes that had a big impact on people from all walks of life.
We believe that Scotland’s young people deserve great mental health, and we believe in their insight and innovation to make this possible. We exist to nurture the talent of young people to find solutions that work for them.
Over the next two years we'll support young people to co-design and lead Tiny Changes projects, while learning as much as we can about our impact. Our two goals are to invest £1 million in young people’s mental health and to support 10,000 children and young people.
The Tiny Changes team is growing all the time. We currently have 6 Trustees and we’re now recruiting for new trustees to join our Board. The Tiny Changes Team is made up of 3 employees and 2 consultants, creative partners and volunteer Wavemakers. You can read more about our team over on our blog.
Our Mission and Strategic Pillars
- Investment in youth-led innovation: Young people’s wisdom, experiences and insights are our greatest assets. We create the conditions for young people to effect positive change in their communities, by listening to their ideas and investing our time and resources into making them a reality.
- Learning from our impact: We are a young charity, with big ambitions, and we are still learning. We inspire lasting change through a deep understanding of the impact of our work. We gather insights from our successes and our mistakes, always asking young people what we could and should do better. We use these insights to challenge ourselves and others to improve the wellbeing of all young people.
- Creating and nurturing communities for action: We believe in the power of community, and create and actively build supportive, inclusive and welcoming communities, led by and for young people. The roots of our community come from the music, art and life of Scott Hutchison and the support of the people who knew and were inspired by him, and our message of connection spans beyond this.
- Investing in our future: As a charity committed to improving mental wellbeing we actively ensure that our team is well trained, supported, and that they have the resources they need to achieve our ambitions. We do this by being strategic in how we generate and administer all of our resources. We seek out opportunities to fundraise with people and organisations whose values are aligned to ours, so that we can maximise our collective ambitions for young people.
Our Values
- Hopeful - We want to create a new narrative around mental health. Positive stories of support and invaluable lived experience that can give comfort to those who need it most. There is a fine line between the light and the dark and sharing a message of hope can be empowering for our community.
- Brave - We are willing to take risks in supporting forward-thinking and creative ideas. We are committed, we demand and we are determined to make change. We are not afraid to stand up for our community and fight for real change. We will stand side by side and prove that better is possible.
- Honest - We don't have all the answers, but we are optimistic, determined and ready to learn. We will be open and transparent with our journey, adapting to our communities needs and celebrating progress over perfection.
- Kind - We care. We listen. We ask. We encourage and support anyone to raise their voice. We learn from each other, teach each other and forgive each other. Compassion, empathy and understanding are all key to reducing stigma and starting important conversations.
About The Role
At Tiny Changes, we’re preparing to strengthen our Board with new voluntary trustee appointments, one of the trustees will ideally become our Secretary. As part of the Board of trustees, you will be responsible for the overall control and governance of the organisation. This is an exciting leadership opportunity to join a dynamic organisation and make sure the charity maximises its impact.
Trustees are able to serve for a maximum of 3 terms (a term is 3 years). There are currently 4 Trustee Board meetings a year in different locations in Scotland, and conversations in between on emails. There are other options for Trustees to attend Tiny Changes events or projects throughout each year. You can find more information on the Job Description linked below.
About you
Tiny Changes aims to have an effective and efficient board with the appropriate balance of skills, knowledge, qualities and experience that will support the current and future needs of the organisation and wider society. The Tiny Changes board aims to have a mix of people with hard and soft skills as well as specific experience and knowledge to support the charity's vision and strategic objectives.
You don’t have to have any previous experience as a trustee or in governance, what we are looking for is clear motivation and willingness to learn about governance as well as an interest in mental health and young people in Scotland.
We’re looking for Trustees who:
- Share our values
- Are committed to and share our vision and strategic plan
- Have knowledge of and interest in mental health issues affecting children and young people in Scotland
- Bring a different perspective to the work of the trustees and leadership team
- Are qualities driven and self-reflective
We are interested in hearing from people with a range of experience and skills, please read the job description and person specification for more information.
We particularly welcome applications from the following groups who are currently underrepresented on our team:
- Young people under 30
- Young people with experience of mental health issues
- Disabled people
- Neurodiverse people
- People with experience of caring roles
- Care experienced people
- People from minority ethnic communities
- Asylum seekers or refugees
- People who identify as any gender that’s not cisgender
- People who identify as LGBTQIA+
- People from gypsy traveller communities
- People from a wide range of religious and cultural backgrounds
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