About Volunteer Scotland

Volunteer Scotland is the national centre for Volunteer Development. Our vision is for ‘a nation of volunteers strengthening Scotland’s communities’. Our purpose is to ensure that people volunteer, early and throughout their lives, that volunteers feel safe, valued and heard, making a difference to themselves and others and that volunteers represent their communities.

We lead the Volunteering Action Plan (VAP) on behalf of the Scottish Government and deliver five interconnected programmes — Participation, Development & Membership; Events, Campaigns & Promotions; Research & Policy; Disclosure Services; and the Knowledge Gateway.

These programmes collectively aim to widen participation, improve the quality and visibility of volunteering, support volunteer organisers, and promote volunteering through major campaigns and events. They generate and share national evidence, influence policy, and foster volunteer voice. They also ensure free access to the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme for volunteers and provide trusted guidance, development services and Quality Standards across Scotland.

Our Values

We are determined to make a difference when and where it matters most, by applying our values in everything we do: CARES

• Collaborative
• Accountable
• Respectful
• Effective
• Supportive

Through our values we will make the greatest difference for volunteers, those who support them, and Scotland's communities.

The Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Participation and Membership Coordinator to join Volunteer Scotland, in a new role. With a flexible and proactive approach, you will provide high-quality project coordination and administrative support across a range of initiatives and events emerging from Volunteer Scotland’s new five-year strategy.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across our programmes will be a focus for this role. Activities will include supporting the development and delivery of Volunteer Scotland’s membership offer to help strengthen relationships and enhance member engagement; supporting the success of a new events programme, which will include online, hybrid and in-person activity, as well as a new national hybrid conference; and supporting the growth of our new Bespoke Support and Development Service.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone highly organised, collaborative, and passionate about supporting volunteering and participation across Scotland.

Volunteer Scotland is an equal opportunities employer, committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Volunteer Scotland.

We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We positively welcome applicants from all backgrounds and all protected characteristics.

What will you receive?

You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your abilities with the opportunity to make a real difference every day. In addition, you will have excellent development opportunities including training, career development, and a range of e-learning courses.

You will also receive:

• Hybrid Working
• Enhanced parental leave
• Group Life Assurance
• Eye Care Vouchers
• Company contributory pension
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling services
• Employer Supported Volunteering Days x 3 (pro-rated)
• 28 Days Annual leave (inclusive of 3 floating public holiday days), rising to 33 days plus 5 fixed public holidays. (The office is normally closed between Christmas and New Year and any weekdays in between are given as additional leave).
• Annual Learning and Wellbeing allowance

Summary of main responsibilities

• Overall operational control and management of the Bureau within guidelines laid down by the Board and Membership Standards agreed by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS)

• Overall management of all paid and unpaid staff (volunteers)

• Ensure that all aspects of client enquiries are efficiently and effectively dealt with.

• Represent the Bureau positively to all other agencies or organisations.

• Design and develop along with the Board the Bureau’s strategic aims.

• Responsibility for ensuring effective use of IT.

General Management Responsibilities

• Develop and strengthen the role of the bureau within the community including positive partnerships with other Bureaux.

• Plan, coordinate, and manage all activities of the Bureau in conjunction with the Board.

• To ensure that the Bureau fully complies with the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice Scotland membership scheme.

• Ensure that the bureau’s quality of advice including case recording is of the highest quality, ensuring that Scottish National Standards (SNS) are met.

Management of staff

• Ensure that there are always sufficient staff and volunteers so that the volunteer led generalist advice services run smoothly.

• Recruit and select volunteers with the Office Manager ensuring training is undertaken to meet required competence standards.

• Ensure the Bureau fully complies with equal opportunities and updated policies as required.

• Provide staff support, supervision, appraisal, and development.

• Hold staff and volunteer meetings as required and ensure discussion on relevant Bureau matters.

• Ensure staff information records including appraisal, training and sick absence records fully comply with GDPR requirements.

• To work in conjunction with the Office Manager to ensure that all enquiries are dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible including accuracy and quality of advice given to clients to comply with GDPR, CAS and SNS principles.

• Ensure that advice related policies and procedures are fit for purpose and up to date.

Finance and Budgeting

• Control Bureau spend within limits set by The Board.

• Ensure an accurate record of all income and expenditure is maintained.

• Arrange preparation of monthly accounts and financial projections.

• To advise the Board on matters of operational expenditure including costings as required.

• To assist the Treasurer or any other appropriate Board member in the preparation of annual accounts and AGM reports including annual reports.

• Ensure Bureau and projects are adequately funded by making applications to funding bodies with the approval of the Board and comply with the Bureau Fundraising Strategy.

Representing Coatbridge Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

• Liaise with members and officers of North Lanarkshire Council and participate in appropriate council groups.

• Represent the Bureau positively in local networks as required.

• Maintain and develop relationships with funders and local agencies.

• Liaise and maintain and develop links with other voluntary organisations including membership of Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL).

• Contribute to and participate in the activities of CAS and associated groups.

• Maintain and develop the Bureau’s role and relationship with CAS and other national agencies.

Audit and Quality Assurance

• Assist in the CAS audit by compiling information, providing up to date policies, and meeting their requirements.

• Implement a quality control system for the monitoring of the service provided to clients.

• Prepare full, accurate and regular reports on all Bureau activities as required by the Board.

• Ensure that the bureau works to SNS for information and advice.

• Ensure that the bureau fully complies with the CAS agreed complaints process.

• Statutory returns to OSCR and Companies House

Administration

• To ensure that there is an effective system in place to provide a quality advice system to clients to minimise delays in answering client enquiries and provide advice.

• To ensure that the Bureau premises and equipment are maintained to as high a standard as possible and that all requirements of Health & Safety legislation are met.

• Seek opportunities for press and media coverage to promote and highlight the work of the CAB.

• Provide the Board with reports and policy guidance as required.

• Ensure that the Bureau makes statistical, legal, and social policy returns to CAS to adhere to membership requirements.

• Ensure that all returns to statutory bodies are completed accurately and timeously to ensure legal compliance.

• Ensure that Bureau conducts local social policy work as required.

• To keep abreast of latest developments within the advice and charity sector and discuss any changes required at Board meetings.

• Organise and prepare necessary paperwork for Board members for the bi-monthly or as required, Board meetings.

• Liaise with accountant re annual accounts and payroll.

Management of Bureau IT facilities

• Have overall responsibility for and ensure the effectiveness and secure use of all IT, communication systems, and procedures to ensure the smooth operation of Bureau objectives.

• Ensure that all staff and volunteers have access to, and are adequately trained in, the Bureau IT systems and software applications to perform their duties effectively.

• Advise the Board, on matters of IT planning, security, maintenance, and budgeting.

• Ensure and fully adhere to all aspects of GDPR for full compliance and provide regular training to all users to avoid data breaches.

To undertake any other reasonable tasks as requested by the Board.

Colleges Scotland is the collective voice for the college sector, and as the membership body, represents the 24 colleges in Scotland, which deliver both further education and around 20% of the provision of all higher education in Scotland.

The 24 colleges operate in 13 regions across Scotland, allowing them to plan nationally and regionally, as well as deliver locally.

Colleges Scotland’s primary role is to support colleges and the regional strategic body in achieving their aims and objectives, and to cultivate the strength of the college sector in Scotland. This is achieved through advocating and campaigning on behalf of the college sector, co-ordinating sector-wide engagement on major issues, policy development, and maintaining strong and proactive relationships with government, sector agencies and industry bodies. Colleges Scotland is driving new business development opportunities to increase benefits to its members.

College Employers Scotland is a committee of the Colleges Scotland board and has delegated decision making responsibilities on all matters related to National Bargaining.

The Role of the Chair

The Chair provides inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring the effective governance of the charity and that Colleges Scotland is accountable to its members.

The Chair will also support and, where appropriate, challenge the Chief Executive Officer and ensure that the Board functions effectively as a unit and works closely with the entire Executive of the charity to achieve agreed objectives.

The Role of the Trustee

As a Trustee, you will be responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and effective operation of Colleges Scotland as an organisation, rather than matters related to the college sector more broadly, and ensuring that we meet our charitable objectives and comply with our legal obligations.

Ark is a major provider of Housing, Care and Support to people with long term and enduring conditions such as learning disabilities, mental health issues, dementia and autism.

Ark supports people to live independently in their own homes providing everything from a few hours a week social and life admin support to 24/7 care supporting with personal care, medication, household tasks, attending appointments and leisure activities.

We have lots of opportunities across Scotland for our Support Worker roles. As we provide full training no previous is experience is required.

If you are enthusiastic about supporting people to live their best lives, then apply now to join our team!

Your main duties will include but not be limited to:

• Working with colleagues as part of an effective and efficient team to support vulnerable people.
• Communicate and work well with our supported people to provide individual care and maintain appropriate relationships.
• Being responsible in supporting individuals throughout the activities, giving positive feedback and encouragement.
• Updating and maintaining accurate records using a tablet on Arks Information Management system.

Previous experience of the following is an advantage but not essential as Ark will provide full training: Care Worker, Social worker, Home Carer, Case Worker, Care Assistant, Autism Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant , Social Care Worker.

View our job outline, find out what you working week could look like and hear from our current Support Workers on Arks website arkha.org.uk/work-with-us

Why Ark?

• No Previous Experience Required - Ark provide full training so no previous experience is required making our Support Worker roles the perfect place to start your career in Adult Social Care.
• Get a qualification while you work - Ark fully fund your SVQ2 in Health & Social Care which you complete with the support of our in house SVQ team.
• Employee Discounts - Employee Discounts Portal with 1000s of discounts on your favourite brands including Supermarkets, Cinema Tickets, Gym Membership and Holidays.
• Career Progression -Over 75% of all Managers within Care & Support have been promoted internally.
• Employee Assistance Program - Arks Employee Assistance program (EAP) gives all employees access to counselling sessions. There is also support available through weekly webinars and the EAP Website & App.
• Contracted hours to suit you-We have Full-time, Part-time and Relief Support Worker roles available at our services throughout Scotland.

In return for your valuable contribution, Ark will also offer you:

• Up to 36 days paid holiday per year pro rata
• 4% Contributory pension scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Fully funded PVG & 1st year SSSC registration paid by Ark

Our employees told us in a recent survey that they stay with Ark because they believe in our values, we have supportive managers who continually appreciate their staff and they love making a positive difference in our supported peoples lives, helping them to achieve their dreams.

Ark would love to hear from you whether you are an experienced Support Worker or new to Social Care.