The Mental Health Foundation is recruiting a Senior Participation Officer to support our Evidence and Impact Team in Scotland. The post is fixed term for 27 months.

The Mental Health Foundation is the UK’s leading charity for everyone’s mental health. We are home to Mental Health Awareness Week and, with prevention at the heart of what we do, we aim to find and address the sources of mental health problems so that people and communities can thrive.

Our focus is on three key areas:

1. Impact - We systematically consider how to scale ideas informed by evidence. We build partnerships and alliances that increase the impact and reach of our work.
2. Influence - We harness evidence and the voice of lived experience to advocate for preventive approaches and create campaigns which tackle the root causes of poor mental health.
3. Integrity - We continue to build a strong organisation that lives its values - that is open, kind, outward-looking and sustainable.

We have pioneered change for 70 years and we are not afraid to challenge the status quo. Come join us!

This exciting Senior Participation Officer role will be responsible for coordinating and supporting the Mental Health Policy Reference Group, an advisory group of individuals with diverse experience of social inequality, who will inform the Scottish Government’s mental health policy development.

What does the role involve?

• The Senior Participation Officer will work with our partner organisation the ALLIANCE, the Health & Social Care Directorate in the Scottish Government, and other stakeholders to establish the Mental Health Policy Reference Group;
• Recruit and support Group members;
• Liaise regularly with the Health and Social Care Directorate; and
• Work flexibly with colleagues in research, programmes, policy & public affairs, and with external partners to ensure fulfilment of the scope and terms of reference of the Group.

What skills, knowledge and experience are we looking for?

• Relevant Masters degree, Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience in community development, engagement or participation;
• Evidenced considerable knowledge of public health and/or mental health policy or a related field, and good understanding of mental health, including well-being, distress, mental health problems and public mental health;
• Evidenced substantial knowledge and a sophisticated understanding of group facilitation methods;
• Demonstrable comprehension of requirements and good practices to ensure accessibility, equality and non-discrimination in delivering programmes of work; and
• Evidenced experience of working alongside people with lived experience of mental ill-health and/or with lived experience of disadvantage due to social inequalities.

Why should you join the Mental Health Foundation?

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 27 after 5 years’ service
• 3 closure days between Christmas and New Year
• Up to 3 wellbeing days per annum
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Generous non-contributory pension scheme, 8% at 3 months service, rising to 10% at 6 months service employer contribution
• Life Assurance Scheme at four times annual salary
• Flexible working
• Season Ticket Loan
• Cycle to work scheme

Please note that for safeguarding purposes, all our roles in Scotland require a PVG check. Also, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.

An Application Form and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Formcan be downloaded from our website.

If you think your skills match and you’d like to be part of a dynamic and growing organisation, please complete and send your application form to vacancies-scotland@mentalhealth.org.uk (along with a completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form). Please note that all sections of the application form should be completed as CVs will not be accepted.

Applications will close at 5pm on Monday 29th November 2021.

Interviews are planned for Monday 13th December 2021.

For informal inquiries about the role, please contact Shari McDaid, Head of Evidence & Impact at smcdaid@mentalhealth.org.uk.

Diversity is greatly valued at the Foundation. Applications from all sections of the community are actively encouraged. If you have a disability, require any additional support or have any questions regarding the role, please contact us at vacancies-scotland@mentalhealth.org.uk.

Due to Covid-19 and until further notice, we are operating digital recruitment (including interviews via video conferencing) and on-boarding processes. We are blending office and homeworking until further notice.

We look forward to hearing from you!