The Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) are seeking a new independent Chair for the National Suicide Prevention Advisory Group (NSPAG) – someone who can be a visible, creative, inclusive and active leader for suicide prevention work in Scotland.

The Person

We are seeking a professional, from any field, who is dynamic and engaging, and who has the skills and passion to help us achieve our shared ambition of preventing suicide and supporting anyone affected by suicide.

The role of the Chair is to lead the Advisory Group, so it can fulfil its vital role in driving forward the Scottish Government and COSLA’s ambitious 10 year Suicide Prevention Strategy, Creating Hope Together, which is complemented by a 3 year action plan 2022-2025 and our current delivery plan.

Rose Fitzpatrick CBE QPM is the current Chair of the Advisory Group. Rose has provided exceptional leadership on suicide prevention in Scotland since 2018 and is stepping down having come to the end of her second term. You can read more about Rose’s experience as Chair here.

The Vision

The strategy is jointly owned by the Scottish Government and COSLA with the vision of reducing the number of suicide deaths in Scotland, whilst tackling the inequalities which contribute to suicide. Its aim is for any child, young person or adult who has thoughts of taking their own life, or are affected by suicide, to get the help they need and feel a sense of hope.

We recognise that to deliver on this bold strategy we need strong, collaborative partnerships across and beyond national and local government, into all parts of society. That will allow us to support communities to be safe, compassionate, inclusive, and free of stigma – which together will protect against the risk of suicide.

We place enormous value on lived and living experience guiding and shaping all our work, alongside practice, data and academic research.

The Advisory Group

The Group's role is to provide independent strategic guidance to Suicide Prevention Scotland (our delivery collective) and assess (and report) progress in delivering the 10 year strategy. Both functions are underpinned by impartiality and constructive challenge. Members are also asked to actively support our suicide prevention work in Scotland - by identifying opportunities and networking connections to deepen the reach and impact of our collective work.

The Group is highly collaborative and plays an influential role in this high profile, impactful and sensitive area. Membership of the Group reflects many of the sectors which are linked to, or affected by suicide - such as poverty, criminal justice, and health, as well as representing groups likely to be more affected by suicide, such as the care experienced community.

Members work together by creating a safe and supportive environment where they bring their expertise and insights, together with all available evidence, and through constructive, open and creative discussion, drive forward Scotland’s suicide prevention work. The Group’s first annual report of progress against the 10 year strategy has just been published.

The Group’s work is informed by continuous engagement, and gives equal weight to evidence by experience, practice, data and academic research. At all times members seek to work in a spirit of critical friendship towards all partners, organisations and communities who contribute to suicide prevention in Scotland. The Group aims to keep the wellbeing and recovery of those at risk of, and affected by, suicide at its heart. We are looking for an independent Chair whose values exemplify respect, empathy and kindness.

The Suicide Prevention Policy Team in the Scottish Government act as secretariat to the Group, and will provide support and induction for the new Chair.

Key priorities for the new Chair include:

• Convening the group (in person, 4-6 times per year) to deliver the full range of advice and assurance required.
• Reviewing evidence from a wide range of sources, including from our lived experience panels of people affected by suicide and from academic advisers.
• Producing an annual strategic assessment of progress in delivering the strategy’s outcomes.
• Connecting and engaging with our suicide prevention community, including our National Suicide Prevention Delivery Lead and Strategic Outcome Lead partners.

Responsibilities and Competencies

The most important qualification for this job is having the right skills and values to lead the Advisory Group, so that it can make a positive impact on suicide prevention in Scotland.

We are keen to hear from leaders from all walks of life. You do not need to be a specialist in any particular field to apply, but you will be skilled in convening and leading groups of people.

You may, for example, have gained your skills through your profession or your experience of being active in your community in a voluntary capacity. Previous experience of suicide prevention is not necessary, but you should be passionate about using your skills, experience and values to advance the mission of the NSPAG.

Renumeration

The remuneration will be £300 per day, plus expenses. Please note that this is not a pensionable role.

Time Commitment

We expect that the time commitment will vary across the year but estimate that you should be able to dedicate 3 days per month, including an ability to attend meetings and events beyond the central belt of Scotland.

Location

The primary location will be St Andrews House, Regent Road, Edinburgh, EH1 3DG. As Chair, you will be able to work flexibly, but the role is likely to involve an element of travel.

Essential Criteria and Qualifications

You will need to be able to demonstrate how you have developed and deployed strong skill in three key areas:

1. Ability to be an ambassador for suicide prevention in Scotland, including:

• An ability to understand and relate to suicide prevention and our evidence-based strategy, and drive it forward with vigour, passion and compassion.
• Being a visible leader, and a credible and relatable voice on suicide prevention, contributing to the strong and engaging public profile we have across our work.
• Understanding and being able to successfully navigate the public sector landscape, including national and local government, as well as valuing the role of the third sector, charities, business, and communities.
• Being able to identify creative and cross-sector opportunities to drive suicide prevention.

2. Inclusive and strategic leadership skills, including:

• An ability to work in a strategic and impactful way with an understanding of how to deliver tangible, system-wide change.
• Being able to convene partners to discuss strategic issues and opportunities, which results in constructive advice and commitment.
• A leadership style that genuinely values and displays equality and inclusion and actively promotes participation, seeking out lesser-heard voices.
• An ability to bring diverse views together to understand issues better and help achieve shared outcomes.

3. Communication and engagement skills, including:

• An aptitude for engaging, enthusing and instilling confidence in others, towards a common purpose.
• An ability to tailor communication style and messages to a range of audiences - from grassroots groups to politicians.
• Excellent interpersonal skills that build trust with NSPAG members, people with lived and living experience of suicide, and other stakeholders.

Now is an exciting time for Edinburgh Community Food. We will be launching our new strategy, Equity in Nutrition, which sets out an ambitious plan for our future at our AGM in September. We have a very skilled and motivated Board, and an effective Leadership Team in place led by Brenda Black, CEO, who joined five years ago and is driving change and transformation. We are now looking for up to three Directors to join our board.

Edinburgh Community Food is a registered charity and Company Limited by Guarantee. Our Directors set the strategic direction and review and monitor Edinburgh Community Food’s work and activities, both financial and operational, there by supporting and challenging the Management Team in meeting the organisation’s mission and vision.

Directors play a key role by bringing their own experience to inform strategy and to act as ambassadors and facilitators for the organisation. Edinburgh Community Food are seeking applications from talented individuals, who are committed to making nutrition accessible and reduce health inequalities whilst helping to enhance all areas of operation within the organisation. Directors must be capable of working with a wide range of stakeholders, be effective communicators and have strong people skills who can draw upon their own seasoned skills and experience.

The Chair of the Board may delegate certain tasks to individuals or groups of Directors. Directors must be able and willing to contribute to a wide range of activities to bring the vision of Edinburgh Community Food to life. In addition to the usual governance activity conducted by the board, such activities may include joining board sub-committees or working groups and lending their professional expertise to support and coach members of the organisation to deliver key initiatives.

Edinburgh Community Food welcome applications from a wide range of sectors and are keen to hear from those who are passionate about food and health inequalities and making a difference in your community. We are also keen to hear from people from marginalised and under-represented communities.

Edinburgh Community Food create accessible and inclusive communities, and this continues to our Director appointments. Directors’ specific areas of experience that we require are below:

• Sustainable food systems, health inequalities and climate change
• Strong Financial awareness and a demonstrable ability to fulfil the role of Treasurer
• Expertise in Community activity, public policy, or Law
• Organisational development and HR-related strategic expertise
• Digital technologies, IT, software/ product development or technology -based skillset

Directors will be required to

• Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in monthly online board meetings. A quarter of which are in-person.
• Participate fully in one or more committees or sub-groups.
• Attend events run by Edinburgh Community Food e.g. dinners, fundraising events etc. as well as supporting the broader activity of the organisation from time to time.
• Utilise own skills and experience for benefit of the organisation either by delivering tasks, or knowledge sharing.

We currently have vacancies for Volunteer Directors within our service.

We are a registered charity working with the community to provide wheelchairs and powered equipment for people with mobility difficulties.

This enables easier access to the main shopping areas in Dunfermline, Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy.

The board normally meet on a quarterly basis, currently online (Teams).

Knowledge of the voluntary sector is desirable.

Information on the service can be found at shopmobilityfife.uk.

Do you have an interest in the supply and provision of new homes, supporting communities, charity finance or charity governance? Do you want the opportunity to set strategy, improve your leadership skills, and make a difference to local communities? If you do, we would be very interested in hearing from you.

The Association owns and rents over 2,000 social rented homes in the Angus and Dundee area. We are a registered Charity regulated by both OSCR and the Scottish Housing Regulator and have a staff team of around 50. Our Board of Management members are all volunteers and we value their time and commitment to deliver our aims. You will be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses.

Who we're looking for:

We welcome applications from those with a diverse range of backgrounds and experience and we are particularly interested in people with the following skills. There is no requirement to have had any previous Board experience. What is important is that you have the drive and passion to make a difference and that you are prepared to contribute to discussions that enable positive and collective decision making. We would be interested applicants with experience or an interest in:

• construction, design and the built environment/asset management
• renewable technologies/net zero
• human resources and people management

Successful applicants will receive effective induction and will be supported to learn new skills. The Board meetings are usually held on Wednesday mornings. Our full Board of Management meets 6 times a year. We have 4 sub committees that meet quarterly for Finance, Audit & Risk, Service Delivery, Development and Remuneration. Typically, Board members are on one of the sub committees making the commitment 10 meetings a year. Meetings are normally held in person in Arbroath however we can offer participation using Teams for members who cannot attend in person.