We are looking for a colleague passionate about supporting collaboration, developing capacity and highlighting the role and impact of the third sector in nurturing and developing local economies and enterprise. You will provide oversight and leadership of our work across the building of strong local economies, development of local enterprise and cross-portoflio working for a wellbeing economy, developing relationships with local anchor organisations like the local authority and South of Scotland Enterprise, with communities and across our sector.

Develop and deliver plans to support capacity building for third sector organisations across Dumfries and Galloway in areas of economic development and enterprise.

Ensure the provision of resources and advice for the sector on key themes of policy, practice, research and the further development of an economy and enterprise online hub.

Oversee the coordination and support of the Social Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway (SEDG) network.

Develop and manage relationships and partnership working with a variety of organisations to support the role of, and capacity within, the third sector, including the role of the sector and communities in economic investment and development decisions.

With partners, support the understanding of Community Wealth Building, the importance of local economies and the role of social enterprises.

Promote shared learning about Community Wealth Building and how we explore the pillars of CWB to benefit local people and place, working alongside CLES and SoSE.

Ensure the appropriate allocation of resources to maximise impact, including through high quality tools, advice and routes to signposting to sources of expert help so that our advice for the sector is consistent and of high quality.

Joining our new Economic Development and Enterprise Team, we’re looking for a colleague who is passionate about local participation with an interest in supporting the building of strong local/social enterprising activity. Our new colleague will support the delivery of our Social Enterprise Strategy through the development of resources and models of advice for new and existing social enterprises to help them grow and develop. As a great communicator and someone who thrives in developing new connections and relationships, the Officer will also be involved in events and projects for the third sector working with colleagues across the organisation.

• Help raise the awareness of social enterprise across Dumfries and Galloway.
• Support capacity building for social enterprises across Dumfries and Galloway on key areas of development, including working with other team members to coordinate advice, support and training.
• Contribute to the further development of our Social Enterprise Network, including engaging with members, building the membership and supporting collaboration.
• Build knowledge and understanding of the local/social economy and enterprise landscape to help in advocacy and the promotion of the sectors potential.
• Work with colleagues across our Locality, Communication and Funding teams to maximise our collective impact for the sector and contribute to our wider success.

More about you

• You will be able to demonstrate working knowledge gained from either community development or direct work within/alongside the third sector more generally.
• You may have had experience of social enterprise or supporting local economic development, but we can support you in this area.
• You will be able to show your understanding of the third sector, the scope of the sector’s work and challenges faced.
• You will be able to show examples of effective application of key skills, including organisation and planning, problem solving, building presentations, writing reports.
• You will have had experience of building effective professional relationships inside and outside of your organisation.
• You will be able to show your commitment improvement and demonstrating impact.

We are the Third Sector Interface for Perth & Kinross. Our mission is to ensure that all third sector organisations across Perth & Kinross are connected, have a voice, and are supported through capacity building and volunteering.

On behalf of the Scottish Government, we help to sustain and grow the dynamic third sector that exists in the region by representing, leading, coordinating, connecting, supporting, and providing development opportunities to all community groups, charities, social enterprises, and volunteers.

We have been supporting the Third Sector in Perth & Kinross since TSI’s were created by the Scottish Government in 2011; but there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

We offer an inclusive culture that’s based on compassion, togetherness, speaking from the heart, and our passion for making a positive impact.

Do you have previous experience of working in a social enterprise role? Are you interested in working in the community and voluntary sector? If so, then we would love to hear from you!

About the role

Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) is the Third Sector Interface (TSI) and a respected and highly valued support organisation for the community and voluntary sector (CVS) in North Lanarkshire.

For more information about the role, please see the JD and Person Specification attached in the job listing.

VANL is a supportive employer and provides good benefits including:

• 25 days annual leave pro rata (increasing up to 27 days after 5 years, 29 days after 8 years and 30 days after 10 years) and two special leave days for birthday and Xmas shopping
• 12 public holidays pro rata.
• 6% employer’s contribution and minimum 3% employee contribution
• Flexible working arrangements regarding hours and home-based working