An exciting opportunity has arisen for a senior management post within Families Outside. This is a key role for a dynamic and passionate individual interested in making a real difference in the lives of families affected by imprisonment. If you are skilled and motivated to take strategic and operational responsibility for the support of children and families and have the skills and experience to lead a team of dedicated staff, among other attributes, we would like to hear from you!

This role is primarily based in our Head Office in Edinburgh but would be feasible for anyone in the central belt.

About the role

Families Outside is the only national charity in Scotland that works solely to support children and families affected by imprisonment. This senior management post leads the strategic development and implementation of the work of Families Outside’s Family Support team, linking the work of the Regional Managers and Regional Family Support Coordinators, national Helpline, and support to Prison Visitors’ Centres to improve outcomes for children and families throughout Scotland who are affected by imprisonment. The post holder will lead and inspire a team of managers to deliver high quality integrated support within our values framework (Compassion, Integrity, Tenacity, and Expertise). Undertaking and leading on significant projects, providing strategic leadership, and promoting and representing Families Outside are all key components of this challenging role.

About you

You will need a proven relevant track record, possibly gained in a range of sectors where you operated at a senior level with external audiences and engaged with, and influenced, a variety of stakeholders. You will also need demonstrable experience in managing and developing a diverse family support service, working collaboratively to support families caught up in criminal justice processes, significant experience of child and adult protection and trauma-informed practice, and extensive experience of managing staff, students, and volunteers.

Someone who thrives on working collaboratively with others for the good of the business, you will be adept at building a network of good relationships and have an ability to develop a thorough understanding of the organisation and the wider sector quickly. You will be a good listener and positive influencer who communicates clearly, verbally and in writing; is reasonably comfortable with the media and Parliamentary bodies; and, where appropriate, is able to persuade others to change their views, intentions, or actions.

The leadership role of Director of Services is key for the organisation: you will lead a team of 4 – 5 managers, and as a member of the 3-person Senior Management Team will report directly to the CEO. Providing leadership and effective day-to-day management of the Family Support Team, you will ensure that Families Outside is a key contributor to local and national policy and the lead national voice on issues relating to families affected by imprisonment.

This is an exciting role for the right applicant. It comes at a time where Families Outside has undertaken a major restructuring programme and is regrouping to make best use of our capacity. This is an exciting time to join the team, where you will have the opportunity to deliver the ambitions of Families Outside on a national and international stage.

Staff Benefits

25 flexible leave days plus 10 public holidays

4% matched contribution workplace pension scheme

Hybrid & flexible working

Employee Assistance Programme (Health Assured)

Cycle to Work Scheme

Laptop and mobile phone for all staff

Role and Responsibilities

Weekly:

• Managing data entry, monitoring and reporting data necessary for grant reporting; providing reports and analysis to the Project Coordinator
• Keep foodbank paperwork up to date and relevant.
• Shred confidential paperwork.
• Send thank you letters to supporters
• Check and respond to emails and Facebook messages.
• Keep volunteer records up to date.

As required:

• Prepare agenda for management meetings and send to the Foodbank Co-ordinator, before circulating to the management group.
• Prepare minutes at foodbank planning meetings and circulate to the management group, within 1 week, after the meeting takes place.
• Set up refreshments for meetings and groups.
• Create new forms, spreadsheets or documents to ensure the foodbank and advice service runs as efficiently as possible.
• Develop flyers, posters and promotional materials for use by the foodbank.
• Recommend new technologies that will make the work of the foodbank and advice service more streamlined and safer.
• Produce quarterly volunteers and supporter's newsletter.
• Oversee and supply the needs of volunteers, such as lanyards, uniform and equipment.
• Ensure rotas for volunteers are completed & communicated in a timely manner.
• Update all social media sharing, in conjunction with the social media volunteer.
• Keep foodbank publicity up to date.
• Assist in the set-up of Foodbank activities.
• Ordering stationary, promotional and office supplies as required by the foodbank
• Provide support to the Treasurer and other members of the Management Group.
• Monitor Health & Safety practices and ensure that all recording is kept up to date, such as fire alarm testing, emergency lighting tests, PAT tests etc
• Work under the direction of the Project Manager on new initiatives. And undertake any other reasonable tasks at a commensurate level as requested by the Foodbank Project Coordinator.
• Every 6 months/Annually:
• Carry out Risk Assessments for new activities.
• Ensure that a fire drill is carried out at least twice a year. (Bring this to the attention of the management group in January and August each year)
• Keep all Church of Scotland and Foodbank policies and procedures are up to date and clearly displayed.

Person Specification

• Confident IT user, Microsoft Excel, Word etc
• Proven experience in an administration role.
• Confident in the use of social media.
• Able to carry out role in an efficient and timely manner.
• A commitment to social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
• Helpful and friendly manner.
• Ability and flexibility to work as part of a small, busy team, and to undertake such additional duties as may reasonably be assigned.
• Able to work on your own initiative as well as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to build relationships with the team/ volunteers and external parties.

This is a sessional post of 12 hours per week, and the hourly rate is £12.50 and the hours of work are Wednesday: 9.00am to 2.30pm and Thursday: 9.00am to 2.30pm. There is funding secured for the first year. The role is funding dependant and is applied for on an annual basis.

Any expenses incurred while carrying out the above duties will be reimbursed, as agreed with the line-manager.

The post holder will be line-manged by the person appointed by Carnwadric Church Kirk Session. The Line-Manger is Tammy Cahill, Foodbank Co-ordinator. The post will be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the post is fit for purpose.

Sick leave – There are 5 days per annum sick leave. The line-manager should be contacted as soon as possible regarding sickness. This is to ensure that any work that is needed completed can be attended to. The line-manager should be contacted by phone.

The holiday entitlement for this post is 5.6 (2.8) weeks per year and holidays must be agreed, in advance, with the line-manager.

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic individual with experience in youth work to be our Youth Development Leader. We are looking for someone who is passionate about the Good News of Jesus Christ and the spiritual development of young people. You would be expected to worship at Viewpark and be actively involved in the life of the congregation in order to become familiar with the congregation and the wider work undertaken there. The successful applicant’s main focus will be to facilitate and further develop our TeenSpace Project. This involves working with young people from 11 to 17 in conjunction with a range of ecumenical partners and other voluntary and statutory bodies. A wide range of volunteers is involved.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have experience of working with young people,
• Be experienced in starting projects and delivering to completion,
• Have an awareness of current issues affecting young people,
• Be someone who has led teams of volunteers,
• Be an effective communicator in many settings,
• Be both self-motivated and an adaptable team player