The Wood Foundation

Our mission at The Wood Foundation is centred on three core areas: developing young people, promoting economic growth, and supporting community development. We invest in initiatives that empower individuals, particularly young people, to reach their full potential and drive positive change within their communities.

In Scotland, we focus on improving education and enterprise, particularly in the Northeast, where we aim to uplift local communities through innovative projects and partnerships. Internationally, our work promotes sustainable development in agriculture, providing opportunities for growth in some of the world's most underserved regions.

What will you do as YPI Partnerships Manager?

As the YPI Partnerships Manager you will be responsible for cultivating and managing partnerships with stakeholders, charitable trusts, and foundations to secure funding for YPI Scotland’s initiatives. You will build and maintain relationships with these key stakeholders, including peer organizations, public bodies, and private sector partners, to enhance collaboration and support. Engaging in forums and working groups, you will contribute to the development of relevant education and social policies impacting young people in Scotland.

Additionally, you will make strong connections with charities and third sector networks while organizing high-profile events and webinars to promote the YPI program and its impact. Leading the planning and execution of our flagship annual YPI Scotland National Event, you will ensure it effectively displays program success and engages stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of funding partnerships to ensure the long-term growth, sustainability, and development of YPI Scotland nationally.
• Identify and nurture new funding relationships with like-minded corporates, charitable trusts, and foundations focused on YPI Scotland’s sustainability and growth.
• Establish and maintain professional and productive relationships with key stakeholders and strategic partners, including peer organizations and public, private, and third sector entities.
• Participate in working groups, forums, and partnerships to contribute to the development of relevant education, social, and public policy in Scotland.
• Identify opportunities for The Wood Foundation to raise the profile of programs and investment activities throughout Scotland.
• Continue to develop positive working relationships with charities, third sector interfaces, and national member networks.
• Deliver a program of third sector engagement events and webinars to enhance knowledge and understanding of the YPI program.
• Lead the coordination and delivery of the annual YPI Scotland National Event, ensuring best practices and program impact are effectively showcased within budget.
• Comply with all relevant health and safety requirements and adhere to Foundation policies and procedures.

What do we need from you?

We are seeking an enthusiastic and strategic individual with a proven track record in partnership management, events and fundraising. You should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, enabling you to build and maintain productive relationships with diverse stakeholders. A deep understanding of the third sector and the ability to navigate the complexities of public and private partnerships are essential.

You should be proactive in identifying funding opportunities and innovative ways to engage with the community. Experience in event planning and a passion for empowering young people will be crucial as you coordinate impactful initiatives and events. Your commitment to the values of The Wood Foundation and YPI Scotland will be key in driving our mission forward.

Skills and Experience

• Third sector experience – either gained through working in a third sector organisation or delivering/supporting education programme(s) with a focus in a non-profit or social impact environment.
• Fundraising experience – including experience of creating and managing successful funding relationships with corporate and/or Trust and Foundation partners.
• Stakeholder management – Experience of building strong relationships with a range of external stakeholders to raise The Wood Foundations cause.
• Strong organizational skills – The ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines and take the initiative to complete tasks and make sure the needs of the organisation are met.
• Computer literate – Excellent ICT and communication skills, including accurate report writing.
• Presentation confidence – verbal presentation skills to a wide and diverse audience.
• Strong team player – Ability to work effectively as part of a small team including proven ability to successfully lead change, be adaptable, solution orientated and contribute effectively to the organisation strategy.

We are looking for a responsible individual to develop and deliver a challenging and progressive youth work programme in a safe industrious and supportive environment working mainly with young people between ages of 10-25 from BME and Roma backgrounds within Pollokshields and Govanhill.

Principle Duties:

1. Day to Day operational management of youth provision at YCSA
2. Direct management of the post of youth worker, sessional youth workers and volunteers
3. Updating and supervision of training and development for youth workers, volunteers and mentors
4. Overall responsibility for sessional and reporting and evaluation
5. Input to fundraising and development of YCSA programmes
6. Representing YCSA at appropriate meetings, neighbourhood partnership and liaise on meetings as directed by the Executive Lead
7. Provide for the social, educational and recreational needs, and for the individual developmental needs of local young people
8. Work with partners to develop, extend and improve youth provision in the Pollokshields and Govanhill area
9. Carry out managerial and administrative duties in accordance with the requirements of the Executive Lead
10. Preparation, co-ordination and presentation of the relevant reports and information required within the agreed frameworks of the EL and funders
11. Co-operative and liaise effectively with management and young people to ensue effective delivery of services
12. Attend regular supervision with Executive Lead in accordance with YCSA’s policies

Person Specification

We are looking for an individual who can demonstrate the following competencies to a high level and want to use to the full in their work. We will be looking for evidence of all the following key competencies during the selection process, if you are shortlisted.

The individual will be required to work a number of evenings during the week, due to the nature of the services provided to young people.

Essential Experience

• A recognised youth work qualification and 2 years’ experience of managing a youth provision
• 2 years’ experience of managing, supervising and training staff

Essential Knowledge/skills

• A clear understanding of social education as a response to the needs of young people
• The ability to develop and deliver youth work programmes that respond to the needs of young people
• A range of sports/arts and youth work skills
• The ability to work effectively with young people who present challenging and discriminatory behaviour
• An understanding of the requirements of developing anti-discriminatory youth work programming
• An understanding of Equal opportunities to promote equality in their work with young people and combat discrimination.
• The ability to carry out financial and administrative procedures.
• Demonstrate an understanding of Health and Safety requirements in post
• The ability to adhere to and maintain effective relationships with young people, staff, parents, carers and other colleagues within appropriate professional boundaries
• Ability to utilise the organisation’s IT packages and log relevant information essential to registration, monitoring and being able to design systems that can evaluate the service.
• Ability to work with individuals and groups of young people to identify personal progression and solutions to problems.
• Proven experience of providing one-to-one support to young people.
• Confidence in leading sessional youth workers in planning and delivering tasks.

We are looking for someone with vision and enthusiasm who can work with us to enable, support, and grow our existing Christian ministry with young people in the church, local schools, and within the wider community; and to explore new potential for outreach, both in person and online.

JOB CONTEXT – ABOUT STRATHENDRICK BAPTIST CHURCH (SBC)

SBC is a small and informal church in the heart of rural Stirlingshire, meeting in Balfron village hall. We have around 50 regular attendees with around 20 of those being children and teenagers, from Balfron and many of the surrounding villages. It was founded around 35 years ago, has never had a formal ‘minister’, and is led by a team of volunteer men and women who jointly take responsibility for the life of the church.

SBC is a community of believers who value loving and serving each other in day-to-day life. Our vision is to be a Spirit-filled and empowered witnessing community, based on Acts 1:8. We believe that relationships are key to developing opportunities to share the Gospel and as adults seek opportunities in daily life to do so. However, we are acutely aware that our young people need discipleship and encouragement in their own faith in order to be confident to share it with others. We also have wide open opportunities within our local school (the High School for the whole rural area is located in Balfron) and community, yet at present do not have the capacity to do the many things that we feel God is calling us to do.

JOB DESCRIPTION – ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Role Description

The Youth and Outreach Worker will be required to:

• Lead, oversee and grow an effective youth ministry at SBC that reaches into the wider community and local schools. (SBC currently hosts regular ‘Prayer Spaces in Schools’ in the local High School. There is currently no regular Christian group in the school, but SBC has been invited to host one (e.g. Scripture Union) – what an exciting opportunity!
• Develop the youth ministry such that young people can both come to faith and flourish as enthusiastic disciples. He or she will be expected to model a lively and committed faith in Jesus Christ, that impacts all areas of life, and be an active member of the worshipping community at SBC.
• Increase church capacity for all age outreach by leading and co-ordinating events such as Alpha Courses and Holiday Clubs. The village currently has no regular youth group or toddler group, so opportunities abound!
• Lead, develop, encourage, and coordinate a committed and able team of volunteers to accomplish these goals – providing an overall vision and leading a strategy to achieve this.
• Engage in post-covid society online with regular uploading of content to website and social media, making connections to local web pages and raising the profile of SBC online locally.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead: To oversee an effective and growing youth ministry. The Youth and Outreach Worker will have overall responsibility for implementing a strategy to achieve this goal, working closely with volunteers and ministry leaders, as well as the Leadership Team of SBC.
• Care: To ensure excellent pastoral care for the young people and providing support and encouragement to the ministry volunteers.
• Plan: To work with the volunteer leaders to plan and organise successful programmes of groups and events, ensuring necessary administrative tasks; record-keeping; budget-management and communication are undertaken to the necessary high standard.
• Initiate: To create and deliver new events and initiatives as appropriate that cohere with the wider vision and strategy of the SBC.
• Motivate: To encourage the volunteers that enable the ministries to function effectively. This will include recruiting new volunteers, running relevant volunteer training and managing volunteers.
• Witness: To explore the potential for new ways of outreach in the community. To develop initiatives and cooperate with others in the local area as appropriate to reach out to unchurched youth and other age groups in Balfron and surrounding villages.
• Administrate: Ensure all youth ministry activities are well organised, properly administered, and relevant legislation and SBC polices are adhered to (such as Health & Safety, Safeguarding and GDPR) and relevant Risk Assessments completed.
• Communicate: To regularly update the youth and their parents making them aware of any relevant information. To ensure good lines of communication with the volunteers, ministry leaders and other staff. The Youth and Outreach Worker will update the Leadership Team on a monthly basis and will meet fortnightly with their line manager.
• Create: To create/upload online content that helps to engage with those who do not/cannot engage with us in person both on our website (under construction) and social media. To make connections to local web pages and seek ways to raise the profile of SBC online locally.
• Cooperate: To maintain and develop links with other Churches and the local High School. Liaising and where appropriate partnering with other youth leaders and supporting networks. To undertake other tasks, commensurate with the post as required by SBC Leadership Team.

Responsible to: SBC Leadership Team (volunteer only), of which one will act as line- manager.

Due to the nature of this role, this post is subject to an occupational requirement that the applicant be a practicing Christian under Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010.

SBC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post holder will be required to take care to safeguard their own safety and that of others with whom they work and to co-operate with those designated with responsibility for health and safety.

The successful applicant will be subject to PVG checks with Disclosure Scotland.

Who are we?

At Toonspeak, we offer a unique opportunity to be part of a dynamic and creative organisation that empowers young people through the arts. We are known for our innovative approach to theatre and performance, providing free, high-quality artistic opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds.

Joining the team means being involved in meaningful work that encourages creativity, confidence, and community. We value collaboration, inclusion, and personal development, offering a supportive and inspiring environment where our staff can grow professionally while making a real impact on the lives of young people.

What will you do as Head of Operations?

• Partnership Management: Act as an ambassador for Toonspeak, building and maintaining relationships with arts and third-sector partners to ensure successful programme delivery.
• Team Leadership: Lead and support the team, ensuring effective delivery of workshops and core activities.
• Staff Development: Coach and support staff, fostering a positive environment and encouraging professional growth.
• Health & Safety and GDPR Compliance: Ensure compliance with Health and Safety, GDPR, and data protection regulations. Oversee and enforce HR regulations, including recruitment, performance management, and equal opportunity policies.
• CRM & IT Management: Oversee CRM systems and IT infrastructure for smooth operations and data handling.
• Funders Reporting & Financial Oversight: Manage funder reports, salary processing, contractor payments, and annual audits.

What we are looking for

• Leadership Skills:Demonstrated experience in managing teams and providing leadership within an operational context.
• Strategic Thinking:Ability to contribute to high-level decision-making and strategic planning.
• Operational Management Expertise: Extensive experience in managing day-to-day operations, ensuring quality assurance, compliance, and smooth programme delivery.
• Financial Oversight: Proficiency in budget management, financial reporting, and overseeing audits.
• HR and Compliance Knowledge: Familiarity with HR processes and legal obligations, including Health and Safety, GDPR, and recruitment policies.
• Partnership Management: Proven experience in building and maintaining strong partnerships with key stakeholders.
• CRM and IT Competence: Experience in managing CRM systems and IT infrastructure to ensure efficient operations.
• Advocacy and Networking: Strong ability to represent the organisation at external events and build networks across sectors.