Partners in Advocacy are looking for an enthusiastic, dynamic individual to help us support the growth and sustainability of our organisation through community fundraising.

This is a new and exciting opportunity for a motivated and organised fundraiser to make a real difference by generating the vital funds needed to expand our work.

The post-holder will lead on planning, delivering, and evaluating a programme of community events, working creatively to engage individuals, volunteers, groups, and local businesses, as well as exploring opportunities to develop other areas, such as corporate fundraising and sponsorship, as part of our new strategy.

We strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply. If you believe your skills, experience, and expertise align with the criteria outlined in the person specification, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please complete the application form, ensuring that you provide examples of how your knowledge and experience fulfil each aspect of the person specification.

Partners in Advocacy takes pride in being a Disability Confident Employer, fully committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment.

About Us

Borders Independent Advocacy Service has established itself as one of Scotland’s leading providers of independent advocacy, delivering exceptional services since 1995. At the heart of our work are the rights of children and young people and the power of their voices to bring about positive change.

We provide individual, relationship-based independent advocacy and a wide range of participatory opportunities for people across the Scottish Borders. We work alongside corporate parents and communities to broaden understanding, and with policymakers, leaders and elected representatives locally and nationally to shape law, policy and practice based on the lived experience of Scottish Borders people.

The Role

We are seeking a Service Manager to lead the day-to-day delivery of Borders Independent Advocacy’s services across the Scottish Borders.

You will be a key member of the management team, providing operational leadership and ensuring high-quality, rights-based advocacy services. Working in partnership with professionals, carers and organisations, you will support the best outcomes for people accessing advocacy by ensuring effective systems for referrals, case allocation, recording and monitoring.

You will:

• Provide operational leadership and quality assurance across advocacy services.
• Line manage and support Advocacy Workers and volunteers.
• Ensure safeguarding, contractual and quality standards are met.
• Oversee referrals, case management and performance monitoring systems.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with statutory and third sector agencies.
• Lead service development, reporting and continuous improvement activity.
• Promote awareness of Borders Independent Advocacy Service and its services locally and nationally.

This role will include a particular responsibility for ensuring the effective delivery of advocacy for children and young people up to age 25.

About You

You will be an experienced, values-driven manager who can lead teams and services with confidence and compassion.

You will have:

• Experience managing or coordinating advocacy or related services (e.g. children’s services, social care, youth work, substance use or third sector services).
• Strong knowledge of human rights and safeguarding legislation.
• Proven experience supervising staff and volunteers.
• Excellent organisational, communication and partnership-working skills.
• Confidence working in multi-agency environments.
• A commitment to equality, inclusion and participation.
• A full driving licence and access to a car.
• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends when required.

You will be committed to children’s rights and believe that all young people can make positive and transformative change when given the opportunity. You will demonstrate knowledge of current structures, developments, policy and practice relating to children and young people experiencing care in Scotland.

Why Join Us?

You will join Borders Independent Advocacy Service at an exciting time, when the voices of those who are the most vulnerable are growing in strength and influence, bringing insight, challenge, hope and change. You will play a key role in shaping and strengthening advocacy services across the Scottish Borders.

We offer:

• Generous pension contribution scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement, plus public holidays
• Flexible working where possible
• A highly supportive, values-led organisation
• Commitment to staff wellbeing and professional development.

Borders Independent Advocacy Service is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible working environment. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds.

Summary of main responsibilities

• Overall operational control and management of the Bureau within guidelines laid down by the Board and Membership Standards agreed by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS)

• Overall management of all paid and unpaid staff (volunteers)

• Ensure that all aspects of client enquiries are efficiently and effectively dealt with.

• Represent the Bureau positively to all other agencies or organisations.

• Design and develop along with the Board the Bureau’s strategic aims.

• Responsibility for ensuring effective use of IT.

General Management Responsibilities

• Develop and strengthen the role of the bureau within the community including positive partnerships with other Bureaux.

• Plan, coordinate, and manage all activities of the Bureau in conjunction with the Board.

• To ensure that the Bureau fully complies with the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice Scotland membership scheme.

• Ensure that the bureau’s quality of advice including case recording is of the highest quality, ensuring that Scottish National Standards (SNS) are met.

Management of staff

• Ensure that there are always sufficient staff and volunteers so that the volunteer led generalist advice services run smoothly.

• Recruit and select volunteers with the Office Manager ensuring training is undertaken to meet required competence standards.

• Ensure the Bureau fully complies with equal opportunities and updated policies as required.

• Provide staff support, supervision, appraisal, and development.

• Hold staff and volunteer meetings as required and ensure discussion on relevant Bureau matters.

• Ensure staff information records including appraisal, training and sick absence records fully comply with GDPR requirements.

• To work in conjunction with the Office Manager to ensure that all enquiries are dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible including accuracy and quality of advice given to clients to comply with GDPR, CAS and SNS principles.

• Ensure that advice related policies and procedures are fit for purpose and up to date.

Finance and Budgeting

• Control Bureau spend within limits set by The Board.

• Ensure an accurate record of all income and expenditure is maintained.

• Arrange preparation of monthly accounts and financial projections.

• To advise the Board on matters of operational expenditure including costings as required.

• To assist the Treasurer or any other appropriate Board member in the preparation of annual accounts and AGM reports including annual reports.

• Ensure Bureau and projects are adequately funded by making applications to funding bodies with the approval of the Board and comply with the Bureau Fundraising Strategy.

Representing Coatbridge Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

• Liaise with members and officers of North Lanarkshire Council and participate in appropriate council groups.

• Represent the Bureau positively in local networks as required.

• Maintain and develop relationships with funders and local agencies.

• Liaise and maintain and develop links with other voluntary organisations including membership of Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL).

• Contribute to and participate in the activities of CAS and associated groups.

• Maintain and develop the Bureau’s role and relationship with CAS and other national agencies.

Audit and Quality Assurance

• Assist in the CAS audit by compiling information, providing up to date policies, and meeting their requirements.

• Implement a quality control system for the monitoring of the service provided to clients.

• Prepare full, accurate and regular reports on all Bureau activities as required by the Board.

• Ensure that the bureau works to SNS for information and advice.

• Ensure that the bureau fully complies with the CAS agreed complaints process.

• Statutory returns to OSCR and Companies House

Administration

• To ensure that there is an effective system in place to provide a quality advice system to clients to minimise delays in answering client enquiries and provide advice.

• To ensure that the Bureau premises and equipment are maintained to as high a standard as possible and that all requirements of Health & Safety legislation are met.

• Seek opportunities for press and media coverage to promote and highlight the work of the CAB.

• Provide the Board with reports and policy guidance as required.

• Ensure that the Bureau makes statistical, legal, and social policy returns to CAS to adhere to membership requirements.

• Ensure that all returns to statutory bodies are completed accurately and timeously to ensure legal compliance.

• Ensure that Bureau conducts local social policy work as required.

• To keep abreast of latest developments within the advice and charity sector and discuss any changes required at Board meetings.

• Organise and prepare necessary paperwork for Board members for the bi-monthly or as required, Board meetings.

• Liaise with accountant re annual accounts and payroll.

Management of Bureau IT facilities

• Have overall responsibility for and ensure the effectiveness and secure use of all IT, communication systems, and procedures to ensure the smooth operation of Bureau objectives.

• Ensure that all staff and volunteers have access to, and are adequately trained in, the Bureau IT systems and software applications to perform their duties effectively.

• Advise the Board, on matters of IT planning, security, maintenance, and budgeting.

• Ensure and fully adhere to all aspects of GDPR for full compliance and provide regular training to all users to avoid data breaches.

To undertake any other reasonable tasks as requested by the Board.