Argyll & Bute Citizens Advice Bureau (ABCAB) is excited to invite applications from the diverse communities across the region for two new Trustees on our Board of Directors to support the strategic direction and development of the Bureau.

The Bureau is an independent charity that provides free, impartial, and confidential information and advice services across the 2,676 square miles and 26 islands of Argyll & Bute. We offer support on issues ranging from Debt, Benefits, and Welfare rights to Energy, Patient rights, and also Armed Service Advice provision.

The Board are seeking applications from individuals representing the diversity of the Argyll area and are particularly interested in those with skills and experience with working in the Third Sector; working locally and dealing with local issues as well as those with qualified skills in areas such as IT, Business Management and Development, Charity Law, Project Management, Fundraising, Human Resources, Public Relations, Marketing and Strategic Development.

We encourage applications from groups that are under-represented on charity boards, and would welcome approaches from people who have lived experience of issues facing our clients. We particularly would like to hear from people from Black, Asian, or other minority ethnic communities, as well as young and disabled people. You do not need to have board experience to apply, we will support you with tailored training based on your level of experience.

The ideal candidates will be committed to service excellence, raising standards and continuous improvement. They must also embrace bureau values and show a commitment to wider role activity to improve the quality of life of local people in the community.

The Board currently meets bi-monthly and members will also be expected to participate in projects and attend training when required.

The Board of Directors are responsible for:

• Ensuring that good quality advice is given to the public, including ensuring that Citizens Advice Scotland’s membership standards are met
• Deciding what the bureau should aim for, including input into business planning and budgeting
• Controlling the finances of the bureau
• Overseeing the recruitment and selection, management support and training of all paid staff
• Appraising and supporting the Bureau Manager
• Promoting the image of the bureau
• Ensuring that the bureau fully meets its legal obligations under charity, employment and (if relevant) Company Law
• Dealing with complaints about the service

Candidates should be 18 or over and either live or work in our operating area (Argyll & Bute)

What are the benefits to you?

• The role is unpaid, however incurred expenses are reimbursed (e.g. travel, childcare)
• Induction and training tailored to you needs
• Opportunities to make strategic decisions and develop new skills
• Opportunities to network with senior professionals
• Influence to shape innovative projects and highlight public policy issues
• Contribute to supporting the people & communities of Argyll & Bute with a range of pressing advice issues

Humanist Society Scotland is looking for someone with a proven track record in policy and campaign work. The successful candidate will develop and support the policy and campaign work of Scotland’s national charity for people seeking an ethical, rational, secular future. Our current campaigns include fighting for safe access to reproductive services for women, making the case for compassionate assisted dying laws, and working to reduce the influence of religious privilege in the Scottish education system.

This is a role that seeks to build on the charity's existing policy and campaign work and improve the organisation's ability to inform national policy and engage our supporters and members in making the case for change.

We are looking for an individual who has experience of the Scottish political and media landscape and can help make the case for the campaign issues we care about. You will be passionate about progressive change and share our vision for a caring and compassionate Scotland informed by reason. Your work will be in line with our organisational values of cooperation, integrity, reason, courage and sustainability.

The successful candidate will have experience of working on campaign and policy development. They will have excellent communication skills and knowledge of the Scottish parliamentary system and politics. They will relish collaborative working and be willing to represent the organisation at external events and through partnerships and umbrella groups. They will understand the role of media relations in awareness raising.

Key Responsibilities of the role

• Monitoring Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament and local government to identify opportunities to advocate for humanist values
• Developing relationships with MSPs, local councillors, civil servants, media outlets, partner organisations, international humanist organisations and others to make the case on humanist causes
• Researching and developing policy papers and consultation responses on important issues for the organisation
• Devising and delivering engaging campaigns that put humanist values on the national agenda
• Represent Humanist Society Scotland externally, including at party conferences, national and local government meetings, inter-agency meetings, public talks and local group events.
• Collaborating with partner organisations and umbrella groups working towards the same goals such as assisted dying groups, human rights coalitions and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland.
• Supporting the communications and media work of the Society as required by the Communications Manager

About Humanist Society Scotland

Humanist Society Scotland is part of the global Humanist movement of people and organisations. We are a registered charity of over 15,000 members, governed by an elected Board of Trustees. We are the longest-running and most trusted provider of humanist wedding ceremonies in Scotland, and we also offer humanist funerals and naming ceremonies through our network of trained celebrants.

Our Vision

A caring and compassionate Scotland informed by reason.

Our Mission

To be the champion for Humanism in Scotland.

Read more in our:

Strategic Plan 2020-2023

2021 Scottish Parliament Election Manifesto

2022 Annual Report

Person Specification

Essential

• Professional experience of campaign development and delivery.
• Professional experience of policy research and development and consultation responses
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal and strong interpersonal qualities
• Strong knowledge of the Scottish political landscape and willingness to work on a cross-party basis to achieve aims.
• Experience of working collaboratively with other organisations and with local and national government partners to achieve shared goals.
• Ability to work with a variety of different stakeholders and manage relationships effectively, including through meetings with partner and umbrella groups
• Experience as part of a team working with the media to promote organisational values
• Ability to work flexibly in response to rapidly changing external events.
• Ability to travel within Scotland and attend meetings on behalf of Society
• Empathy with humanist values and Humanist Society Scotland’s charitable objectives

Desirable

• Knowledge of human rights and equality law and practice, especially concerning freedom of religion and belief and freedom of expression
• Experience of fundraising for campaigns
• Experience of working first-hand with the media to promote organisational values
• Qualifications or professional registrations related to public affairs, research, campaigns and/or policy work
• Experience of data-led campaigning
• Experience of working in the charity/voluntary sector

This role will mainly be home-based. However the role-holder will need to be able to attend face-to-face events at the Scottish Parliament and meetings with Scottish Government staff and agencies, partner organisations, local groups across Scotland and occasional travel further afield. While every day will be different, the role holder will be therefore required to travel to locations across Scotland on a reasonably regular basis, although most events/meetings will take place in the Central Belt of Scotland.

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