We are looking for someone who is analytical, organised and proactive, with excellent attention to detail. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a commitment to collaboration and continuous learning.

We are looking for a Project Research officer to support the work of Fast Forward and its Scottish Gambling Education Hub (SGEH) by working collaboratively with academic and research partners, bringing together existing evidence, andidentifying emerging trends to inform the Hub's work.

The postholder will coordinate monitoring and evaluation processes, gather and analyse evidence from SGEH activities, and support the dissemination of research, policy developments and emerging evidence relating to gambling harms, young people's health and wellbeing, and harm reduction.

Organisation profile

Fast Forward is Scotland’s national youth work agency, it is a force for change supporting children and young people to make informed decisions about risk taking behaviours. We take a harm reduction approach to reduce the negative impacts of these behaviours on their lives and those of their families and wider community.

The team’s work is dynamic, challenging and rewarding in developing innovative programmes to address risk-taking behaviours that often goes unrecognised. You will find creative ways to engage with partners, adapting and creating resources to enable them to better deliver meaningful harm reduction and prevention education around harmful gambling and gambling harm.

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.

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 Fasy Forward’s existing Scottish Gambling Education Hub. This role will have a focus on working in the community with young people, practitioners and families living and working in and around Ayrshire and South Scotland.

We are looking for an enthusiastic practitioner with excellent communication skills and robust track record of working in the community with young people, practitioners and families.

The Hub was Scotland’s first gambling education and prevention programme focusing on protecting young people from gambling harms. Its work includes delivering training to practitioners, staff, schools and youth groups, developing resources, as well as partnership building with national organisations.

Organisation Profile

Fast Forward is Scotland’s national youth work agency, it is a force for change supporting children and young people to make informed decisions about risk taking behaviours. We take a harm reduction approach to reduce the negative impacts of these behaviours on their lives and those of their families and wider community.

The team’s work is dynamic, challenging and rewarding in developing innovative programmes to address risk-taking behaviours that often goes unrecognised. You will find creative ways to engage with partners, adapting and creating resources to enable them to better deliver meaningful harm reduction and prevention education around harmful gambling and gambling harm.

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.

Purpose: You’ll play a key role in supporting Laura’s work across numerous areas in South Scotland, including rural areas. By researching local and national issues, spotting what matters most, and communicating effectively,you’ll help engage constituents and stakeholders. You willalso build practical experience in research, communications, campaigning, and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Producing materials that effectively convey Laura’s work to constituents and local media.
• Keeping up to date with current media developments.
• Corresponding with constituents and local campaign groups.
• Assisting with high-quality press briefings, speeches, presentations and written materials.
• Creating compelling narratives that tell the story of Laura’s work and empower constituents to engage with the work of Parliament.
• Identifying potential media opportunities.
• Identifying key regional events and activities, in turn promoting my work.
• Maintaining information systems to support communications.
• Contributing towards the management of Laura’s social media accounts, including posting high quality, accessible content on a regular basis
• Drafting and posting social media content to update constituents on my parliamentary activities.
• Reviewing social media trends and briefing me on issues of relevance to my parliamentary role.
• Gathering and distributing valuable data that supports my activities.
• Keeping your knowledge of local issues up to date.
• Carrying out strategic research projects.
• Obtaining and compiling relevant research documents from external stakeholders.
• Preparing and delivering regular briefings and updates.
• Analysing, evaluating and interpreting data and statistics.
• Implementing strategic goals and developing campaign priorities.
• Confirming deliverables are met.
• Supporting wider team administrative work.
• Supporting the wider administration of the office, including diary management and correspondence with stakeholders in the region and areas of policy interest to Laura.
• Accompanying the MSP on meetings and visits in the region, taking notes, photographs and videos as needed.
• Organisation of regional visits, events and in-person meetings across South Scotland.

Essential Requirements

• Have an interest in politics with the confidence to represent Laura and her work in a compelling way.
• Be capable in monitoring media developments and sourcing information from a range of channels.
• Have flexibility using relevant IT skills and writing styles, covering both press and social media.
• Be creative in communicating over a range of formats on different media platforms.
• Have the creativity and expertise to produce accurate and influential work.
• Have analytical skills with the ability to identify and investigate trends while interpreting data.
• Be a quick learner with the ability to multitask and work within tight timescales.
• Be able to respond flexibly and creatively to range of requests, such as media enquiries and press releases.
• Be a proactive problem solver with the motivation and resilience to adapt and deal with challenges.
• Have excellent organisational skills and an ability to multi-task in a fast-paced working environment.
• Have an understanding of South Scotland and the challenges and opportunities offered in representing this region.
• We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates whose backgrounds and career trajectories may be under-represented in politics.

The Junction is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled manager to lead the delivery of our high-quality, innovative projects and services. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in ensuring our work meets the needs of young people, delivers meaningful outcomes, and creates lasting impact within our communities.

About The Junction

The Junction is an award-winning charity in North East Edinburgh that supports and improves young people’s health and wellbeing.

Last year, we supported more than 1,800 young people and supported around 150 young people through one-to-one support. As a result of the service:

• 100% of young people learned practical ways to look after their wellbeing
• 88% felt more able to cope with difficult situations
• 94% reduced or stopped substance use or learned how to reduce harm associated.

About this Role

Within this role you will champion youth participation, ensuring that young people have a genuine voice in shaping both our services and the wider development of the organisation. You will build and maintain strong relationships with partners, funders, and stakeholders, helping to strengthen The Junction’s reputation and reach.

You will lead and support a dedicated team of Project Workers, fostering a collaborative, reflective, and supportive working environment where staff and volunteers can thrive. Alongside this, you will take organisational responsibility for safeguarding as The Junction’s Child Protection Officer, ensuring the highest standards of practice and compliance.

Person Specification Summary

Essential

• Experience of supervising and managing others to deliver high-quality services
• Experience managing and leading issues related to child protection and safeguarding
• Experience of developing effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms
• Experience of working with young people or providing one-to-one support
• Experience of reporting to and building relationships with funders
• Experience of working collaboratively with partners
• Understanding of a range of health wellbeing issues that affect young people (including mental health needs)
• Understanding of inclusive and accessible service delivery
• Passionate about improving the lives of young people
• Empathetic, approachable and positive motivator of others.

Desirable

• Professional qualification in Community Education, Counselling, Social Work, Health Promotion or equivalent
• Experience of managing waiting lists
• Knowledge of trauma informed practice.

What We Offer

• Flexible Working – We offer flexible working hours to accommodate families and childcare, caring responsibilities. Home working is anticipated and welcome for this role.
• Competitive Annual Leave Entitlement - 38 annual leave days in total, pro-rated for part-time positions.
• Competitive Pension Contribution – Auto enrolment in our pension scheme with a 5% contribution from The Junction.
• Positive Working Environment – An opportunity to work with a values-based organisation that is committed to equality & inclusion.