Job TitleProject Coordinator, Open Government Pioneers
SalaryC1 (£28,805 to £33,128)
DurationFixed term - 22 months
LocationEdinburgh/Glasgow
1Introduction and background
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the national body representing the voluntary sector. We work to the following mission: To support people to take voluntary action to help themselves and others, and to bring about social change.
The membership includes more than 1,800 voluntary organisations many of which are umbrella bodies themselves representing a diverse range of organisations, some of which are environmental organisations, service providers as well as housing associations and community transport organisations. These organisations may be local or national and encompass a wide range of interest including social welfare, education, health, housing, conservation, training and the environment.
There are currently over 100 staff based in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
Equal Opportunities statement
SCVO wishes to increase the diversity of its staff and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from people with disabilities and people from black and minority ethnic communities, currently under-represented within SCVO. SCVO’s offices are fully accessible for people with mobility issues.
SCVO will give full consideration to all requests for flexible working, part-time working or job sharing, both from external applicants and current members of staff. If you would like a copy of SCVO’s Equal Opportunities policy please contact or 0131 474 8004.
2Job context
Charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises play a critical role in the lives of people and communities in Scotland. Building the capacity of the third sector and those they support is an essential part of SCVO’s work.
Working in SCVO’s busy public affairs team, you will ensure that the third sector plays a strong role as a channel for people to participate in and change society.
The Open Government Pioneers project is an exciting new initiative to build the capacity of third sector organisations and the people it works with to participate in the decisions that affect them.
In your role as project coordinator, you will use your skills to build the role of the third sector within the open government civil society movement in Scotland and support its role in building the movement with our partners across the UK and internationally.
Your specific role will be to:
- Support the overall project coordination for the UK Open Government Pioneers project
- Provide specific project coordination for Scotland's Open Government Pioneers project
- Deliver SCVO's policy outputs on Scotland's Sustainable Development Goals
- Coordinate Scotland's role in leading the international Open Government Pioneer civil society group
3 Specific Duties
- Plan, coordinate and help deliver a series of events with a range of audiences and partners as part of the Open Government Pioneers project.
- Prepare clear, accessible and accurate policy documents such as briefings, blogs or consultation responses, both in summary or as detailed in-depth reports – making sure that SCVO's Open Government work is well understood by our sector, politicians, and the general public.
- Source, maintain and develop content for the project's digital platforms in consultation with project partners.
- Administer invoices and payments for the project finances in consultation and within budgets set by the project director and in liaison with SCVO's finance team.
- Build compelling narratives – policy or issues based - that develop and support the sector’s and SCVO’s Open Government work. Connect policy arguments with evidence in order to present a coherent policy case.
- Ensure that external stakeholders in the third sector as well as civil society, public and private sectors are engaged with and involved in SCVO’s Open Government work.
- Use your excellent communication skills to prepare clear, accessible and accurate briefings on key Open Government and Sustainable Development Goals issues and trends for the sector, government and parliament with reference to the wider political landscape
- Monitor current and public affairs developments and relate these to SCVO's Open Government work to ensure you are always up-to-date with relevant policy and political developments
- Liaise and work with external and internal stakeholders, including SCVO members and colleagues, wider civil society institutional partners, government ministers and officials, and politicians as required to deliver the Open Government project.
- Contribute to the development and communication of SCVO policies.
4 Person Specification
The post holder will be expected to demonstrate the following range of experience and skills:
Essential
- At least two years’ experience in a similar role
- A broad understanding of the Scottish third sector and wider civil society (such as trade unions, think tanks, co-operatives and faith organisations), of the changing policy and of the institutional and funding environment in which it operates
- Excellent written and oral skills in communicating complex policy issues in easily understandable language suitable for a range of audiences
- The ability to gather intelligence, analyse key trends and issues
- The ability to build a compelling case in order to influence policy agendas
- Experience of administering project invoices and expenses
- Proven ability to work effectively with external stakeholders at all levels
- A can-do attitude accompanied by a creative, analytical and flexible approach to work
- Able to work effectively on own initiative and as part of a team
- Able to work to meet deadlines, achieve project objectives and adapt quickly to changing priorities
- Good ICT skills (including word, excel and PowerPoint)
- Good digital skills (familiarity with a range of digital platforms, content management systems and social media channels)
Desirable
- Experience of working with the Sustainable Development Goals, and / or Open Government agendas
- Knowledge of Scotland’s economic, social and political policy environment and how the third sector and wider civil society are positioned within it.
- The ability to think strategically about third sector and key policy issues
- Experience of working with a range of third sector stakeholders, organisations and agencies
- Good information management and dissemination skills
- The ability to generate ideas and solutions on key issues affecting the sector
5 Other duties will include
Any other general duties as may be required by the line manager. SCVO staff are organised in teams. All teams are expected to share workloads and become familiar with a range of common duties to ensure continuity of service during peak periods, sickness absence and holidays.
6 Direct Report-ins
This post has no line management responsibility.
7 Location/Accountability
The project coordinatorwill be part of the public affairs division and will be based in one of SCVO's Edinburgh or Glasgow offices. The post holder is directly accountable to the head of the policy department (Ruchir Shah).
8Further information
For more information about this role please contact
9To apply
SCVO will accept e-mailed applications. Please e-mail to by 12 noon on the closing date.
Paper applications should be sent marked Private & Confidential to:
Caroline Christie
HR Officer
SCVO
Mansfield Traquair Centre
15 Mansfield Place
Edinburgh
EH3 6BB
Closing date for applicationsThursday 8th December 2016 (by 12 noon)
Interview dateFriday 16th December
10Major Terms and Conditions
A full package of Terms and Conditions is available. Key features include:
Salary:C1 (£28,805 to £33,128)
(Appointments are normally made on the minimum of the scale)
Duration:22 months
Increments:To maximum point of scale on completion of two years service.
Annual leave:28 days plus 6 public holidays
Cost of living increases:on 1 April each year
Pension:SCVO offers a Defined Contribution Pension Scheme to its staff. Employee contributions are 6% or 3%, SCVO contributes 9% or 4.5%.
Probationary period:6 months
Hours:35 hours per week
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