Top job! Head of Office for Mark Ruskell MSP
- Full time
- £43,745
- Hybrid: Parliament, regional office and home working
- Closing 11th November 2024
- Advertised from 17th October 2024
- 30 hours per week. Please note, as part of the Scottish Greens Parliamentary Group, Mark operates a four-day working week, and 30 hours is full time. Fixed term over 9 months (with the potential for extension to 12 months).
Role
Mark Ruskell MSP is seeking a proactive leader to join his team on a fixed-term basis with a passion for community engagement and office management. In the role of Head of Office, you will be responsible for the daily operations of Mark’s office both in the constituency and at Parliament. The role will also involve driving regional engagement initiatives and fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders.
The successful candidate will provide essential support for Mark’s parliamentary duties and constituency work. By enhancing Mark’s regional presence, you will play a crucial role in supporting his constituents across the Mid Scotland and Fife region.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the work of Mark Ruskell MSP in serving his constituents and shaping public policy.
Fixed term over 9 months (with the potential for extension to 12 months).
Responsibilities
- Acting in a supervisory capacity for the team and oversight of office management.
- Managing office budget in line with Members Expenses Scheme, Allowances Office and People Services Team.
- Managing constituency accounts, premises, and equipment.
- Managing three members of staff and reviewing their performance.
- Overseeing health and safety and staff wellbeing.
- Overseeing diary management and incoming correspondence
- Acting as a support to me as Party spokesperson for Environment and Transport.
- Checking for any updates to compliance related legislation and communicating changes to colleagues.
- Leading on regional campaigns and communications, including traditional
media output, digital/social media activity and local events.
- Developing a regional engagement strategy and working with the rest of the team to deliver it.
- Organising local visits, meetings, and other events, with or on behalf of Mark Ruskell.
- Producing and circulating press releases on local issues.
- Building working relationships with local and regional press.
- Developing and maintaining stakeholder contacts across the region.
- Managing Mark Ruskell MSPs social media accounts.
- Overseeing the office strategy and managing relevant research and
engagement projects.
- Leading on identifying and delivering project work to progress constituency and parliamentary issues.
- Peer-reviewing validity and quality of work to ensure accuracy.
- Delivering or commissioning relevant research projects to produce policy documents, briefings, draft speeches and similar material.
- Ensuring all office research complies with data protection legislation and GDPR requirements
- Analysing, evaluating, and interpreting data and statistics to supports
my activities in Parliament and in the constituency.
- Keeping your knowledge of relevant policy areas and local issues up-to-date.
- Obtaining and compiling relevant research documents from external bodies.
- Monitoring relevant current affairs, local issues, and parliamentary business
- Contributing to parliamentary activity such as motions, questions and debates
- Managing relationships with regional and policy-specific stakeholders to
ensure I have access to accurate and contemporary data.
- Collaborating with colleagues from different services areas across the Parliament.
- Liaising with various external groups e.g. think-tanks, NGOs, other elected representatives.
- Developing effective relationships with counterparts in other UK legislatures and wider research community.
- Performing casework-related research and preparing responses where necessary.
About You
- Have experience of working in a leadership role in policy, campaigns, or communications.
- Have experience of managing staff with the ability to nurture and build effective teams in a high-pressure environment.
- Able to foster good working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders and build networks.
- Have excellent communication skills with accurate attention to detail and the ability to work effectively with colleagues.
- Have the creative flair and expertise to develop, deliver and evaluate regional engagement and campaigns activities.
- Have excellent organisational skills, with the ability to multitask, problem solve, and work within tight timescales.
- Have experience of project management, and able to lead on areas of project work while developing new areas and methods of research.
- Have experience of managing budgets and be confident in managing budgets for staff resources and office provisions.
- Have analytical skills with the ability to identify and investigate trends while interpreting data.
- Have an interest in Scottish politics, knowledge of the Mid Scotland and Fife Region and be sympathetic to the aims and objectives of Mark in carrying out his parliamentary duties.
Application notes
For any questions about the role please contact: Lorna.gledhill@parliament.scot
To apply, please visit our website.
If you are experiencing any issues with the applications process, please send your CV and supporting statement directly to: Jenny.smith@parliament.scot
Closing date: 11th November at 9am.
Interviews to be held on Monday 18th November
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The Deputy Manager has day to day operational responsibility for the delivery of the bureau’s advice service. The post holder will ensure a quality service is delivered in line with the Scottish National Standards and the Bureau’s Citizens Advice membership and will provide to the Chief Executive Officer all necessary reporting, data and case study information required.
The Deputy Manager is responsible for maintaining a disciplined, professional office working environment and ensures its compliance with the Bureau’s health, safety and other working policies, practices and procedures.
Using AdviserNet and the information systems, provide 2nd tier consultancy support to staff and volunteers on complex cases to include type 3 cases i.e. representation at tribunals. The post holder will also work as part of the Senior Management Team and will deputise for the Chief Executive Officer when required to do so.
The post requires a Basic Disclosure certificate.
HTSI brings together a wide range of community groups, charities, and social enterprises. We work collaboratively with five local delivery partners to ensure that the needs of our communities—spanning an area larger than Wales—are met with innovation, partnership, and integrity.
HTSI continues its ambition to be a catalyst for positive change, investing in the strength and resilience of the Third Sector through knowledge sharing, capacity building, partnership, and a steadfast commitment to ensuring our sector’s voice is heard in policy, planning, and service delivery. Our work and impact rest on a team that values expertise, creativity, and a shared commitment to making a meaningful impact. We foster an inclusive, respectful, and empowering working environment, where staff are encouraged to develop professionally, contribute ideas, and take on responsibility.
We are now seeking an inspiring leader who shares our values and vision. The ideal candidate will bring strategic insight, excellent communication skills, and a proven ability to build strong, collaborative relationships. You will be comfortable advocating for the Third Sector at both local and national levels, engaging with policy forums, and championing the interests of our diverse communities. We are looking for someone who thrives in a dynamic and challenging environment, who demonstrates flexibility, resilience, and the ability to listen as well as lead. Your leadership will be instrumental in shaping progressive change, securing sustainable funding, and nurturing community-led solutions for the Highlands and beyond.
If you are passionate about driving real and lasting impact, and have the experience and vision to take HTSI forward, we warmly invite your application for this pivotal role.
Full details are available in the recruitment pack below.
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Top job! Head of Walking Programmes
- Full time
- £46,135 – £51,266
- Hybrid: Stirling
- Closing 19th December 2025
Walking Scotland is Scotland’s walking and wheeling charity. Walking and wheeling are the most affordable and practical ways to help solve some of Scotland’s biggest challenges, from health inequalities to the climate-nature emergencies.
We promote the benefits of walking and wheeling on our physical, social, and mental health. Our programmes connect communities and inspire positive behaviour change. We also improve places and spaces to walk and wheel.
A key element of this work involves the delivery of our walking programmes, and we are seeking a senior leader who can inspire and develop our approach to this work. Our programme settings are based on national and international evidence of what works best to support people to become more active with walking and wheeling being one of the best ways to achieve this
So, as a potential candidate for this new post:
- Are you able to take a leading role by managing our walking programme teams to deliver on our commitments?
- Are you able to build, manage and nurture highly effective relationships, influencing key stakeholders, partner organisations and funders to increase walking opportunities in Scotland?
- Can you demonstrate competency as a senior leader and contribute meaningfully to a Senior Leadership Team?.
- Are you adaptable and resilient and able to anticipate challenges and developing plans to solve them?
You will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Leadership Team to champion and deliver Walking Scotland’s Mission, Strategy, and Plans. You will also lead a multidisciplinary team to drive forward Walking Scotland’s key objectives within the programme settings.
We offer the opportunity to be part of an organisation that recognises staff as our most valued asset. Attractive employment conditions include a contributory pension scheme and flexi-time policy.
The Presbytery of Lothian and Borders ( Presbytery of Lothian and Borders ) offers an exciting opportunity for someone who is visionary, approachable and passionate about mission and the work of, and reform in, the Church of Scotland and who is willing to help shape Presbytery to best serve God and its communities.
The Presbytery was established on 1 January 2023 when the former Presbyteries of Duns, Jedburgh, Lothian and Melrose and Peebles came together as part of the reform programme established by the General Assembly.
Currently the Presbytery consists of 86 congregations in 57 charges; however as we continue to implement our Mission Planning process this may change. We have developed a set of planning principles in order to bring one cohesive Presbytery plan into being.
The successful candidate will lead a team consisting of a part-time Administrator and a full-time Mission officer as well as working closely with the Buildings Officer appointed by both the Presbytery and the General Trustees. We are seeking an individual who will bring experience of the Church of Scotland, inspirational leadership and flexibility on working practices to respond to the changing needs of our presbytery. The Presbytery Clerk is a key support to those serving in our parishes, such as Ministers, Deacons, MDS, Readers and voluntary office bearers.
The successful candidate will be expected to live within the bounds of the new Presbytery to facilitate an understanding of the needs of the people we serve.
churchofscotland.org.uk/get-involved/vacancies-and-volunteering/locally-funded-posts
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