SCDC is the lead body for community development in Scotland. We work across sectors and professions and use what we learn to help shape policy for strong, influential and inclusive communities. For us, communities which are strong and sustainable are central to a more just and equal society. We are now looking to add to our team to help us drive forward our vision of an active, inclusive and just Scotland.

SCDC is seeking to recruit a temporary Development Manager to develop and implement several of our operational programmes and to deliver on contract work. To be successful, you will need a proven track record in working with and alongside communities and community organisations, and with strategic partners at local and national levels. You will have knowledge of the policy environment for community development and empowerment in Scotland and you will have first rate facilitation, communication and writing skills. As a key member of the team, you will be expected to contribute to the strategic direction of SCDC through programme development and business planning.

About Romano Lav

Romano Lav was established in 2013 by a local Roma woman, who, alongside other Roma, was frustrated with Roma people being left out of decision-making and their voices unheard. Since then, our work has challenged the racism, discrimination, and disadvantage experienced by local Roma people. Our team is made up of Roma and non-Roma people, working together in solidarity to promote social justice and achieve meaningful change.

Our work is diverse but united by the common objective of empowering Roma people, particularly Roma youth and Roma women and challenging the racialised structural inequalities that Roma people disproportionately face.

We support Roma communities to realise their rights via community education programmes. We evidence social inequalities by co-producing large-scale community research led by Roma youth. We dismantle barriers to realising rights, and we challenge inequalities, via evidence-based advocacy. We facilitate Roma inclusion by promoting Roma culture and creating intercultural dialogue. Our events and programmes are open to all, which creates greater community solidarity and mutual understanding.

Role and responsibilities

The Project Co-Coordinator will play a key role in supporting the smooth running and development of Romano Lav's projects and wider organisational work, working alongside Romano Lav’s other project co-coordinator.

The two Project Co-Coordinators work collaboratively and in solidarity, bringing complementary skills and approaches to support Romano Lav’s wider work. While both contribute to project management and organisational development, this role advertised here has a particular focus on providing support to our staff to develop and lead on projects, administration, reporting, and general organisational support that enable our projects to run effectively. The other Project Co-Coordinator works more closely with community members, playing a leading role in supporting community empowerment, leading projects and representing the organisation. Both roles are integral to our work and are grounded in a shared commitment to community leadership, mutual support, and the values of Romano Lav.

Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, the postholder will help ensure that projects are well organised, properly supported, and delivered in line with their aims, timescales and funding requirements.

2027 promises to be a very exciting time for our organisation, with strong foundations already laid for dynamic and innovative projects and activities, and a committed workforce working in a wide range of social action, wellbeing and cultural projects. The role is not to design new projects, but rather to facilitate and oversee the delivery of existing work and act as support where needed to staff designing and leading on their projects.

The role requires someone who is organised, proactive, and adaptable, with a genuine passion for community work and a supportive approach to working with colleagues. They will help staff to plan and deliver their own projects, providing practical coordination, administrative support and guidance where needed, while offering support to staff where needed - particularly to young people - to take ownership and lead their own work.

Our projects respond to a range of community needs and interests, and the postholder should be comfortable working across different areas of activity, building relationships and responding to changing priorities.

Project Coordination and Development

• Support staff to plan, coordinate and deliver a range of projects and activities, ensuring that work is organised, purposeful and delivered within agreed timescales.
• Monitor and manage individual project budgets, keeping track of expenditure and projected costs, and work closely with the Finance Assistant to maintain an up-to-date overview of project and organisational budgets.
• Support colleagues to develop workplans, set priorities and monitor progress.
• Help staff identify what support they need to deliver their projects effectively, offering practical guidance, problem-solving and encouragement where appropriate.
• Support young people and other community members to lead their own projects, develop their skills and take ownership of their work.
• Help ensure that projects respond to community needs, interests and aspirations, and contribute to Romano Lav's wider aims.
• Co-coordinate activities across different areas of work, including men's and women's wellbeing, youth-led human rights work, arts and cultural programmes, research and community-led initiatives.
• Identify potential challenges or delays, communicate these with colleagues and help find solutions.
• Support the planning and delivery of meetings, workshops, events and other project activities as required.

Staff Support and Relationships

• Build positive, respectful working relationships with colleagues, young people, community members and partner organisations.
• Provide supportive and appropriate guidance to colleagues, helping them develop confidence, skills and independence in their roles.
• Recognise when staff need practical assistance, encouragement or space to lead their own work, adapting support to individual needs and circumstances.
• Help colleagues manage workloads, prioritise tasks and meet deadlines without unnecessarily taking over their responsibilities.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative working environment where staff feel supported and able to raise challenges.
• Work constructively with colleagues across different projects and areas of responsibility, sharing information and supporting the wider team when needed.

Administration, Monitoring and Reporting

• Responsible for the preparation of regular progress reports, funder reports and other written updates such as board reports, gathering information from colleagues and communicating project progress clearly.
• Maintain clear and accurate project records, including workplans, activity records, monitoring information, spreadsheets and other project documentation.
• Assist with monitoring and evaluating project activities, ensuring that relevant information and evidence of outcomes are collected and recorded.
• Support colleagues to keep track of project deadlines, reporting requirements, budgets and other commitments.
• Support the organisation of meetings, including helping to prepare agendas, recording actions and following up on agreed tasks.
• Help ensure that project documentation, agreements and administrative requirements are in place and kept up to date.
• Support the preparation of funding applications and other organisational documents where required.

Communication and Partnership Working

• Maintain effective communication with colleagues to support co-ordination across the organisation.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with external partners, community organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to the planning and promotion of events, activities and community initiatives.

Organisational Responsibilities

• Work in line with Romano Lav's policies, procedures and values, including our commitment to equality, anti-racism, human rights and community empowerment.
• Contribute to creating a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for staff, young people, community members and partners.
• Work flexibly across different areas of the organisation, responding to changing needs and priorities.
• Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, supervision and other organisational activities as required.
• Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role.

Line Management and Workplan

• The postholder will report to Fatima Uygun, line manager and Trustee of Romano Lav.
• Work will be undertaken in line with an agreed workplan, with priorities reviewed regularly in discussion with the line manager and relevant colleagues.
• The postholder will work collaboratively with project staff, providing co-ordination and practical support to staff to lead on their own projects.
• The role requires a flexible and responsive approach, balancing planned work with emerging organisational and community needs.

For more information, please visit the Romano Lav website.

The John Muir Way is one of Scotland's most iconic long-distance walking routes, spanning 134 miles from Helensburgh on the west coast to Dunbar on the east. The John Muir Way Green Skills programme, a three-year initiative funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, focuses on improving biodiversity along this route, creating opportunities for trainees aged 16 - 24 years old with barriers to employment, to learn new skills, build confidence, and contribute to Scotland's natural and cultural heritage.

The John Muir Way Green Skills programme is a 3-year employability initiative with 18 months remaining, through which a total of 72 trainees are engaging in practical biodiversity tasks and projects along the route. The Green Skills Traineeship helps build practical skills, knowledge and confidence for work, volunteering or further learning in the environmental and conservation sector.

The programme aims to bridge the skills gap and tackle workforce challenges, increase connectivity and break down the disconnect with nature, and create accessible opportunities that recognise and value different ways of thinking, learning and engaging.

As the Edinburgh Green Skills Leader you will lead a team of six Green Skills Trainees per year, including the existing cohort. The post holder will have overall responsibility for line managing the trainees, leading delivery of practical training and the delivery of practical biodiversity enhancement tasks on partner sites. In Edinburgh the Green Skills Leader will liaise with greenspace teams from City of Edinburgh Council and community groups to agree sites and projects. This role will also contribute to the project evaluation, local budget management, and programme promotion. Trainees are in attendance 3 days per week (Monday - Wednesday), the role is hybrid and you will be required to be on site on the same days that the trainees are present and for team meetings.

You will be part of a team of 4 Green Skills Leaders working with Scottish Canals and Local Authorities along the route.

You will work closely with the People Advisor and People Admin Coordinator managing the schedule of external training, trainee attendance, annual leave, onboarding, and programme exiting of trainees. These roles will report into the John Muir Way Green Skills Operations Leader.

• Experience of leading a small team.
• Previous management of a training programme/structured delivery model.
• Mentoring and/or coaching young people.
• A passion for supporting young people to achieve their goals.
• Knowledge and understanding of practical biodiversity projects and events.
• Experience in recruiting and managing trainees and/or other stakeholders.
• Experience in working in partnership with multiple organisations with potentially differing demands.
• Support trainees through regular one-to-one meetings to agree personal goals, review their progress and plan next steps.

A full, clean or near clean UK driving licence is required for this post, which has been held for a minimum of one year.

To fulfil the role, you must be resident in the UK and have the right to work in the UK.

As Connected Communities Lead within Thrive Outdoors, you will help strengthen opportunities for children, young people, families and communities to connect through outdoor play and learning. Working closely with funded organisations, partners and the Scottish Government, you will coordinate programmes and funding, support community engagement and participation, share learning and impact, and help grow investment in outdoor community play across Scotland. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to Thrive Outdoors’ vision of embedding outdoor play and learning into the fabric of Scottish life so that all children can thrive.