Introduction

Community Land Scotland is recruiting a Policy Officer for the Inclusive Ownership project.

Inclusive Ownership is a new five-year UK-wide partnership funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. The project brings together Community Land Scotland, CLES (Centre for Local Economies), The Ubele Initiative, Shared Assets, Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Cwmpas to support more communities to take ownership of land and buildings.

The project focuses on urban and post-industrial communities and aims to make community ownership more accessible, particularly for communities facing higher levels of deprivation and Black and Minoritised communities. Through direct community support, policy development, learning and partnership working, the project will help communities develop sustainable, income-generating assets and contribute to community wealth building and local economic resilience.

About the role

The Policy Officer will lead policy development, research and evidence gathering for the Inclusive Ownership project in Scotland.

Working closely with the Inclusive Ownership Manager, Community Land Scotland’s Policy and Advocacy Team and partners across the UK, the postholder will ensure that learning from community-led delivery informs policy development and wider system change.

The role will focus on identifying barriers to community ownership, gathering evidence from communities and delivery partners, developing policy proposals and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders. The Policy Officer will play an important role in ensuring that the experiences of communities are reflected in policy and practice relating to community ownership, community wealth building and local economic development.

The postholder will contribute to policy development in Scotland while supporting cross-nation learning and collaboration across the wider partnership. They will work to translate grassroots experience into meaningful policy change and help shape the future of community ownership across Scotland and the wider UK.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about community-led development, policy change and ensuring that the voices and experiences of communities help shape future approaches to ownership, regeneration and community wealth building.

The main objectives of this post, and outcomes to be delivered are to:

• Policy development to increase community ownership of land and buildings and strengthen community wealth building across Scotland.
• Gather evidence and learning from communities and project delivery to inform policy and system change.
• Identify barriers to community ownership and develop practical policy solutions that support more inclusive ownership models.
• Work with communities, policymakers, public bodies and project partners to influence policy and practice.
• Contribute Scottish insight and evidence to a UK-wide partnership working across Scotland, Wales and England.
• Produce policy briefings, consultation responses, reports and research outputs on community ownership and local economic development.
• Support the development of new ownership and economic models that strengthen local economies and increase community control of assets.
• Work with Community Land Scotland's Policy and Advocacy Team to engage MSPs, MPs, civil servants and key stakeholders.
• Help ensure the experiences of communities facing higher levels of deprivation and Black and Minoritised communities are reflected in policy development.
• Represent Community Land Scotland and the Inclusive Ownership project at meetings, events and policy forums.

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund the opportunity has arisen to join us at an exciting and pivotal time in the journey of Dunterlie Action Group! We are looking to employ an experienced Community Development Worker who can help us to build our organisational capacity, strengthen our governance and support us as we deliver the aims of our Community Vision.

About Us:

Dunterlie Action Group (DAG) is a network of community leaders who have successfully worked in partnership with the Corra Foundation over the past nine years to build strategic partnerships, grow local groups and increase community participation. The Corra Foundations ‘Getting Alongside Communities’ programme has now moved to a new phase and it is DAG’s time to build on the momentum already achieved. We have been planning this transition for over a year and are confident that the right person will help us to become a resilient anchor organisation that empowers local people to have a voice in their community.

About the Role:

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic and passionate about community. This post will assist DAG in creating a community led structure, capable of tackling poverty, strengthening local connections and supporting people to thrive. This post will be rooted in community and will focus on supporting the development of local groups and activities, supporting local people to develop ideas and build skills adn confidence. This post will report to our Community Coordinator with support from our board.

About You:

You will be professionally qualified and have experience of working with communities and partner organisations.

You should have a strong understanding of the challenges experienced by those affected by health inequalities, social isolation and low income.

You will have experience of managing and supporting local community groups and/or projects, either on a paid or voluntary basis. You should have a non-judgemental approach and be able to form positive working relationships with a range of individuals and groups. You should be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to gather data and evidence and how this can be used to deliver outcomes and help to meet local community needs. You should be able to keep accurate records and notes that will allow you to produce up to date reports on progress and impact. You must be able to work autonomously, using good time management, organisational and communication skills.

Duties and responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Funding – support local groups to apply for and manage funding, and develop their skills and confidence
• Managing budgets
• Supporting volunteers and group members to grow and develop skills, confidence and connection to their community
• Deliver workshops to targeted groups, that will include vulnerable adults and children
• Strengthening DAG Governance, through policies and training
• Build strong relationships with appropriate agencies and services
• Work alongside partners to maximise resources and address local poverty
• Support volunteers, group members and emerging leaders to develop skills and confidence
• Provide support for vulnerable community members on a one to one basis
• Engage meaningfully with stakeholders at all levels

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children and Protected Adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. It is an offence therefore to apply if you are barred from working with children and protected adults. In addition to this, if you have lived or worked in any country outside the UK in the past 10 years, there may be a requirement for an overseas police check.

Strategic Development & Partnerships Lead

Join us at an exciting moment and help shape the future of the Crannog Campus and community-led development in Castle Douglas.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of a growing community organisation and a significant local asset. You'll enjoy a high degree of autonomy, work within a supportive and collaborative culture, make a visible difference within the community, and develop valuable experience that can support your future leadership journey.

In a nutshell, you will:

• work alongside trustees, staff, volunteers and partners to help guide the next stage of CDDF's growth and development as a community anchor organisation
• build partnerships, support fundraising, strengthen organisational systems and help shape the future of the Crannog Campus as a sustainable and welcoming community hub.