Community Capacity Building Coordinator Jobs in Edinburgh

We are recruiting for an exciting new role:

• Participation and Networks Coordinator. 
• 28 hours per week at £15.00 an hour (Actual salary £21,840 -FTE £27,300).
• Fully remote with occasional prearranged in person meetings

This job is essentially about facilitating great conversations and then making sure that the learning from those conversations has real life impact. It’s a special role and will influence everything we do as an organisation - so we are keen to have someone really fantastic in it. Every day will be different in this role but you will be responsible for:

• Growing and managing our network groups, including those for researchers, universities, professionals, support groups, PDAers themselves & family members.
• Noticing themes that emerge, and bringing together people from across networks to take action. This will include co- producing research, written information, video/podcasts and convening groups who are trying to influence change.
• Encouraging people in networks to understand and use their power and influence, resulting in more and better research about PDA, new ways to share best practice, and a better understanding of PDA generally.
• Managing and supporting change projects alongside people in networks.

To do this role, you’ll need to understand PDA, and be an enthusiastic, inclusive and engaging facilitator. You’ll need to be self- organised, trustworthy and good with deadlines. Excellent writing skills, the ability to adjust your communication style to meet the needs of your audience, as well as the ability to use or quickly learn to use different software are also essential. In addition you will have the skills to be able to credibly and effectively design and push forward projects involving everyone we work with, treating everybody with respect.

Deaf Unity is seeking an Organisational Development Consultant with experience of successfully supporting small charities through growth and change.  

We are planning the transition from a freelance to a PAYE salary structure and require support with: 

• Designing an appropriate staffing structure 

• Benchmarking salaries 

• Business and financial planning 

• HR/employment systems and policies, related training 

• Governance 

The overall aim of this commission is to establish an effective and well-managed staffing structure for the organisation, with strong systems and policies embedded across our teams. Ultimately this will build Deaf Unity’s stability and resilience for the long-term. 

Deaf Unity: mission and purpose 

Deaf Unity is a deaf-led charity (CIO), based in London, that works to empower, nurture and train deaf individuals. Our particular focus is on three main points of transition that are pivotal in enabling deaf people to realise their potential – and to thrive within and contribute fully to society. These transition points are: 

• leaving school to enter further/higher education 

• entering the workforce 

• progressing in the workplace 

We work with our community in London to identify the barriers deaf people face at every stage of this journey, empowering them to make informed choices and to succeed. We partner with stakeholders (universities, employers, voluntary sector partners) to decrease, overcome or eradicate these barriers altogether. 

From our home base in London, we work alongside our community and partners to develop and deliver new initiatives in response to clearly identified needs. We directly engage 300+ deaf people each year: inspiring and supporting school-leavers to take their first steps into higher education; empowering graduates and employees to navigate the world of work with confidence; and connecting deaf people with each other to build community, tackle isolation, mobilise around key issues and break down barriers to learning and employment. Sharing and dissemination of our work (including online to reach the national community) goes on to engage far greater numbers. 

Deaf Unity generates much of its income from providing interpreting and consultancy services and delivering training (British Sign Language and deaf awareness courses).  This activity fully aligns with our charitable mission and generates essential unrestricted funding to support our wider activities. Income in the year ending December 2023 was £115,316, of which over 80% was generated from course delivery and interpreting services. That year we generated a surplus of £11,102. 

Context for the commission 

To date, deaf Unity’s programmes have been delivered entirely by a freelance team: CEO, administrator,  tutors and project managers/coordinators leading on different streams of activity.  We have recently recruited a Training and Operations Manager (freelance) to lead on training and interpreting services. 

Activity continues to grow. Turnover in 2024 was c. £175,000 (final accounts are currently being produced), demand for courses is strong and we have had a successful year of fundraising. 

Our activities engage a broad range of beneficiaries, participants and stakeholders: deaf students and employees; our local deaf community in London; and many different stakeholders – universities, employers and local councils – working with us to remove the barriers that disadvantage deaf people and prevent access to opportunity. We are proud of a track record of impactful interventions that have made a real difference in the prospects of deaf learners, jobseekers and employees. 

This said, we have not reaped the full benefits of the partnerships and experience that have contributed to this success. A wholly freelance workforce means skills, knowledge, relationships and learning are regularly lost. We now wish to bring a core team into a salaried, PAYE structure to assure greater stability and continuity. We wish to invest in our people and demonstrate good employability practices, as champions of Deaf parity in the workplace. Specialist support is needed to ensure a good process, an affordable structure, and that appropriate systems, policies and structures are in place to support future work.

In late 2023, the Board of Trustees agreed a forward plan, setting out the charity’s objectives and the activities we plan to deliver over the next 3-5 years. Our work is guided by 5 high-level, strategic objectives. We aim that by 2028:

1. Deaf Unity will have created in partnership with London schools a high-quality, effective careers advice pack/toolkit which can be accessed digitally by schools across the UK to inspire and support deaf learners on their FE/HE/vocational journey.

2. Deaf Unity will be providing a comprehensive package of support around employability, that is recognised and in use by 5 leading nationwide employers and by the National Union of Students (NUS). 

3.  We will be hosting in London a highly respected, impactful annual event for deaf people in work that is reaching 100 deaf people each year, directly or indirectly 

4. Deaf Unity will be able to evidence that the CIO is making a substantial positive difference in the lives of learners, students and employees - through quantitative and qualitative feedback including testimonials and case studies 

5. Our organisation will be stable, financially secure and resilient, supported by strong governance and management systems and effective partnership networks

This commission directly supports objective 5. 

In parallel with this: 

1. Deaf Unity will work with an Evaluation specialist to develop a practical, effective evaluation framework and plan enabling us to capture and analyse our impact across the full range of our activities. This will enable us to improve the design and delivery of our services and activities, on an ongoing basis and to better evidence the charity’s impact and the difference we are making in people’s lives. 

2. Staff and Trustees will undertake training to address identified skills and knowledge gaps (a modest budget is allocated for this) 

This programme of development activity is kindly funded by Trust for London. 

In the course of the year Deaf Unity will also be working with a corporate partner offering pro-bono support to redevelop the website and advise on online course delivery. 

Overview of role 

The consultant will be required to lead and support Deaf Unity’s CEO and Board through a systematic approach to agreeing, implementing and embedding the new structure. We currently envisage that this will include: 

• A review of the functions, skills and competencies required to deliver Deaf Unity’s forward plan 

• Producing a proposed, costed staff structure, with salaries, rates of pay and conditions that are benchmarked against the sector and meet good practice e.g. in terms of Living Wage parity 

• Business planning to include producing a revised budget for 2025 (currently indicative only) and an indicative budget for 2026, based on current levels of activity/growth, to ensure that the new structure is affordable. (An in-depth business development process is planned for a later stage, separate from this commission) 

• A review of governance and existing policies

• Support with the transition process e.g. ensuring that the moving of any freelance staff to salaried contracts is compliant with the law and with good employment practice

• Development of a training plan (spanning the Board, staff and freelance team) to address identified skills gaps 

We will however welcome alternative proposals for how this work might most effectively be structured.

Schedule 

We aim to start work in mid April 2025, completing by end October 2025 (7 months). The consultant will be required to work flexibly throughout this period and this will be negotiated with you on appointment, bearing in mind your other commitments. 

Time commitment: estimated 15-20 days over a 7-month period 

Fees: Fixed fee is £8,250 inclusive of VAT and expenses 

Specification 

The consultant will - 

• Inform and guide the transition to this new staffing model and way of working, to ensure the resulting structures are effective, affordable and compliant with statutory requirements and with best practice 

• Provide hands-on practical support where necessary e.g. benchmarking salaries, drafting job descriptions, reviewing and updating budgets, reviewing policies 

• Be aware of and alert to Deaf Unity’s ongoing, parallel streams of activity (e.g. evaluation work, development of website) and strive to maximise synergies and added value linked to these 

• Have due regard throughout the process to Deaf Unity’s charitable objects, so as to ensure that all progress is made with these and the good of our beneficiaries in mind 

Person specification 

Essential 

• Evidenced skills and experience in supporting projects of this nature for third sector organisations that have limited capacity and resources 

• Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of employment/HR law and practice 

• An understanding of the operating context of a charity such as ours, that is reliant on mixed income streams including fees, public grants and charitable grants. 

• Experience of business planning for the voluntary sector 

• Exceptional communication and strong facilitation skills, coupled with sensitivity and a commitment to confidentiality 

Desirable 

• Some knowledge of British Sign Language 

• Familiarity with the XERO accounting system 

• Commitment to values of social justice and equity 

• Experience of working with the deaf community 

It is anticipated that you will work remotely: Deaf Unity currently does not use a main office. 

How to Apply 

To apply for this role, please submit an application of no more than 1000 words detailing your relevant experience and qualifications; two or more examples of past, comparable roles you have successfully completed and your interest in the project.  Please provide details of two referees.

Please submit this by 5pm on 7 April 2025.  Please use “Organisational Development” as your title.

This will be a Freelance contract. You will be responsible for paying your own Tax and NI contributions.

Interviews will be held online in the week commencing 14th or 21st April 2025 

Deaf Unity celebrates diversity and opportunity. We strive to ensure the deaf Community and its members have access to the same opportunities as those in wider society and the same chances to contribute their talent and skills to the workforce. We will guarantee an interview for all deaf applicants to this role who meet the essential criteria. 

About us:

The UK Cyber Security Council works to bring together stakeholders to build and drive engagement in the cyber security profession, through developing standards and ethical practice, demystifying career routes into the profession and promoting the profession.

In collaboration with multiple UK Government departments and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) we develop, promote and oversee nationally recognised standards for cyber security, in support of the UK Government’s National Cyber Strategy to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.

The UK Cyber Security Council also offers organisational membership, which is open to all organisations that share an interest in promoting, supporting, and developing the cyber security profession.

About the role:

The Quality and Performance Manager will be responsible for cultivating a culture of excellence, emphasising high performance, quality, and compliance to exceed targets across the external licensed bodies. In this role, you will utilise your skills in stakeholder management, influence and coaching to enhance performance within the licensing area.

Your primary focus will involve collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure the seamless and efficient delivery of the professional registration process, tailored to meet the specific requirements of our users and participants. You will drive continuous improvement and promote best practices. A pivotal aspect of this position involves identifying performance challenges and effectively motivating and managing organisations and their teams to find solutions and elevate performance levels.

The ideal candidate will excel in building relationships and communication, maintaining productive cross-contractual and interdepartmental relationships with key stakeholders across different organisational levels to optimise performance.

Collaborating closely with external partners and the internal professionalisation and wider Council team, you will enhance and streamline performance by identifying, developing, and assisting in the implementation of innovative and impactful solutions. This role is centred around achieving results, requiring exceptional management and decision-making skills that can be applied to the intricate operations of complex licensed contracts.

To support these responsibilities, the role holder should possess knowledge and experience in reporting, analytics, data management, budgeting and enabling comprehensive and robust performance optimisation. Through ongoing performance analysis, you will provide guidance to licensed bodies to address and mitigate performance, quality, and compliance concerns while identifying key areas for improvement, ultimately establishing a proactive approach to managing performance related risks.

The role holder will need to work closely with the Head of Professionalisation to ensure updates, best practice and areas for improvement are communicated effectively and in an impactful way both internally and externally. It is expected that you will attend a range of external and internal events and initiatives to help raise the profile of and work of the Council, support pipeline growth and grow demand. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Quality

· Develop, implement, and manage quality practices that meet the requirements of the license, as well as requirements set by Government (NCSC and DSIT) to ensure that processes and procedures are compliant. 

· Manage and improve the quality framework that delivers an excellent standard of assessment, ensuring that the outcomes are exceeded and improving applicants’ experience. 

· Take a lead role in developing the Councils approach to understanding and measuring quality and outcomes through the whole professional registration process being administered by licensed bodies. Highlight areas of improvement, identify solutions and put plans in place,

· Develop a community where good practice can be shared. 

· Be responsible for ensuring all relevant individuals are added to the professional register in a timely manner and communicated to appropriately by all parties

· To manage the day-to-day relationship with external partners and stakeholders, deal with any queries in a timely manner. 

· Research, build and embed a feedback system to contribute to continuous improvement

· Work with the Director of Finance and Operations to ensure that payment structures are in place and undertake monthly reconciliation

· Ensure a robust moderation processes and plans are in place, work with the Technical Advisory Panel members and chairs to ensure members are aware of moderation support needs, complete them within agreed timescales and provide timely feedback to licensed bodies.

Performance

· Responsible for the performance management of contracts, ensuring internal and external reporting requirements are adhered to, KPI’s are set, managed and continuously reviewed and reported to LT.

· Oversee all renewal and extensions for client contracts, which will include financial and system performance based KPI’s, including the need to be accountable for the accuracy of financial tracking, cost control, overhead management, and invoicing. 

· Managing audit requirements in relation to the contracts, including preparing documentation, coordination, addressing findings and maintaining records.

· Working with various internal and external partners to identify and define solutions for complex issues, working with the appropriate stakeholders to design and implement positive outcomes.

· Work with the marketing and comms lead to ensure that Marketing and comms plans meet the requirements of the license, and that the Council strategy is aligned to support. 

· Work with the events and membership co-ordinator to highlight opportunities for collaboration with stakeholders and partners that will support Council strategic objectives. 

General Responsibilities

· Lead on workstream as guided by Head of Professionalisation and in collaboration with Professionalisation team members

· Manage key risks and follow escalation process when necessary

· Ensure there is cohesive and aligned work with colleagues within the organisation

· Maintain open and effective communication with internal and external colleagues

· Prepare status reports as required for the Head of Professionalisation

· Comply with data protection legislation and act responsibly on matters of data disclosure both internally and to third parties

· Represent the Council in stakeholder meetings and external events

· Represent the Council in a professional manner and to act at all times in a manner which will not damage its reputation.

· Work from a positive, growth mindset to solve issues and problems that may arise and to adhere to the organisation values

· Carry out such tasks as the COO/Head of Professionalisation may from time to time deem necessary for the effective and efficient functioning of the Council

Person Specification:

Essential:

Experience

• Experience with self-assessment process and Quality Improvement plans
• Experience of creating cultures that embody positive change, continuous improvement and equality
• Experience of managing a supply chain including setting and achieving KPIs and contract conformance
• Management experience and understanding of contractual and performance management with the ability to deliver results
• Experience of successfully delivering an outcome-based contract
• Experience of driving performance, identifying areas of concern and implementing projects for performance improvement

Skills, knowledge and qualifications

• Clear understanding of the purpose of professional registration and associated processes
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to negotiate and influence a wide range of stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• Ability to analyse a range of data from a range of sources to develop insights and support decisions
• Ability to respond quickly in a fast-moving environment, and make key decisions aligned to business goal

Personal Attributes & Approach

• Commitment to a registrant-centred approach
• Confident, positive and hard-working team player – happy to go above and beyond
• Ability to work flexibly within changing priorities and a capacity to be adaptable as required to deliver completed tasks to set deadlines
• Excellent IT and digital skills including Microsoft 365
• Ability to work on own initiative, as well as in consultation and negotiation with senior managers and other stakeholders as required
• Commitment, determination and resiliency

Desirable:

· Relevant QCF Assessor Qualification – e.g. D32/D33/A1/CAVA/TAQA Assessor

· Relevant Internal Verifier/Internal Quality Assurer qualification – e.g. D34/V1

· Previous audit experience

· Demonstrated success in producing efficiencies/increased outcomes against target

· Significant operational management experience

Next Steps

Deadline for application: Friday 28th March 5pm

Interviews: w/c 7th April or w/c 21st April

Start date: As soon as possible