Do you enjoy working with people?

Do you have excellent communication and presentation skills, and experience working with young people?

We are looking for an enthusiastic Project Officer to join Fast Forward’s Going Forward Programme Team. This role will have a focus on formal and informal education settings.

Fast Forward is Scotland’s national youth work agency, focusing on supporting children & young people to make informed choices regarding, and take a harm reduction approach to, risk-taking behaviours, towards reducing the negative impacts of these on their lives and those of their families and wider community.

We promote health through programmes and resources developed by, with and for young people.

Our work is underpinned by the following values:

Integrity - Our work is dynamic and informed by expertise, lived experience and relevant research

Forward Thinking - We are brave and bold. We are creative in our approach to identifying and responding to risk taking behaviour.

Inclusive - We take a person centred approach. We are non-judgemental and respectful.

Collaborative - We coproduce, partner and learn with young people and experts from across the field

We are committed to delivering an inclusive service that creates opportunities for all, and do not tolerate discrimination. We welcome all people inclusive of ethnic background, disability, sex, religion or belief, gender identity or reassignment, sexual orientation, age, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, veteran status, and the many other parts of a person’s identity.

This includes our staff team and Board members, which include individuals from communities with protected characteristics.

Going Forward Project Background The Going Forward Project works with partner organisations to deliver workshop sessions to young people in formal and informal education settings. Our sessions focus on core themes of health, wellbeing and risk-taking behaviours, particularly:  substance misuse (alcohol, drugs, tobacco, e-cigarettes/vaping)  sexual health and relationships  online safety  drink spiking  consent  self-esteem and resilience  gambling harms

If you are interested in having a discussion about this vacancy contact Allie Cherry-Byrnes, CEO, allie@fastforward.org.uk

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.

We are seeking experienced Board Directors to join our Edinburgh Science Ltd Board. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in both the private and not-for-profit sectors, with enthusiasm for Public Engagement in Science. A science-related background is highly desirable. In addition, we are looking for individuals who can contribute expertise in areas such as Fundraising, Finance, IT, Marketing.

About us:

We are a not-for-profit enterprise that delivers activities in the UK and abroad including Edinburgh Science Festival, the learning programmes Generation Science, Careers Hive and a variety of climate /sustainability events and activities.

Our mission is to inspire, encourage and challenge people of all ages and backgrounds to explore, understand and engage with the world around them and to communicate the educational, social and economic benefits of science and technology. As leaders in our field of Science Communication, we work year-round to create and deliver dynamic hands-on workshops and exhibitions and inspirational shows, discussions, debates and performances that continually push the boundaries of public engagement with science. Communication and engagement is at the core of all our work and we strive to ensure that this is embedded in all aspects of our organisation.

About the role:

We aim to have a Board which covers the key areas in which we work, and we are now seeking to appoint additional members. We are also looking to diversify the Board. We encourage applications from the whole breadth of our ethnically and culturally diverse communities, and from people at all stages in their careers.

A summary of the role, tasks and responsibilities and other background is available here: bit.ly/3SWPhI7

Priority will be focussed on potential new members who have experience and skills in:

· STEM background and experience or

· Income generation and Stakeholder engagement

Our non-executive board have ultimate responsibility for the operation and development of the organisation, including employability, compliance with legislation, fundraising, public relations and financial control.

There are four full board meetings and an AGM of Edinburgh Science Ltd you would be expected to attend. Other sub-committees may meet on an ad hoc basis.

About you:

· Proven executive experience, ideally in an environment where managing change has been required.

· A strong background in strategy in the private or not for profit sector.

· An interest in the work of Edinburgh Science.

· An excellent ability to work in collaboration with other stakeholders.

· Experience of formation, implementation and achievement of a business vision and strategy.

· IT literacy.

If you have the skills, experience, and time to commit to this role, then we would love to hear from you.

We would be particularly interested in applicants who are:

· Women

· From BME or under-represented groups

An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead our Board and Charity. We are looking for someone who is dynamic, with capacity to contribute, and willing to share their expertise and ideally to also engage their network to broaden and deepen support for Venture Trust. An affinity with our work, supporting people in their development to overcome life challenges, is essential.

In return, we offer a comprehensive induction programme including charity trustee training, CPD as a trustee and opportunity to be part of a forward thinking, committed and impactful team working to help people transform their lives.

This position is a voluntary role in a national third sector organisation that has important stature in Scotland.