The Robertson Trust are looking for a Fixed Term Scholar Development Officer to help us make a real difference to reducing poverty and trauma in Scotland. If you would like to be part of one of Scotland’s biggest independent funders, with the clear aim of tackling poverty and trauma, this role could be for you.
We want to see a Scotland where everyone is valued and able to flourish. Over the next decade, we have committed to use all of our tools and resources to work with others to reduce poverty and trauma across four themes:
- Education pathways
- Emotional wellbeing and relationships
- Financial security
- Work pathways
The Scholar Development Officer will have current experience of working with students in further and/or higher education to assist in the delivery of our Journey to Success (JtS) Scholarship Programme with a particular emphasis on career pathways to graduate employment and alumni engagement.
The key focus of the role is on planning, developing, and coordinating a structured series of activities to engage young people from underrepresented groups in higher education. This involves organising and delivering interventions to address various aspects of social mobility, diversity and inclusion, working in a collaborative environment and developing strong partnerships with key stakeholders.
Key responsibilities:
- Working as part of a team to organise and deliver interventions that address the challenges faced by underrepresented groups at university through facilitated group work and events.
- Building a network of Scholars and Alumni through co-produced events.
- Designing and delivering a suite of training activities (online and in person) to build careers related confidence and awareness.
- Assisting in the delivery of a range of targeted employability projects such as the Career Pathways and Summer Internship schemes.
- Contributing to the review and assessment of applications to the programme.
- Responding to Scholar Progress Reports before following up with support as required.
- Assisting in the evaluation of all training and development projects undertaken.
- Maintaining accurate records to support effective targeting, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Interpreting patterns and trends to support informed decision making and to improve and develop programmes and activities for Scholars and Alumni.
- Providing annual updates on fair access and academic progression rates.
- Identifying any opportunities and improvements to the JtS programme.
- Assist in the organisation and delivery of the residential induction weekend.
- Assist in any other duties required for the smooth running of the whole Scholarship Programme.
The role is fixed term for 18-months.
The Person
We are looking for someone with a relevant qualification at HNC or above and/or with current experience of working with students, particularly those from underrepresented groups, in further and/or higher education. You should understand issues surrounding widening participation and social mobility in a university environment with experience of facilitating, developing, and delivering engaging training sessions and events aimed at young people. You should have high emotional intelligence with the ability to form collaborative relationships with many different types of people both internally and externally, building and maintaining active networks to successfully deliver project aims. It is essential to have a commitment to co-production methods and collaborative approaches to working.
We are an Equal Opportunities employer. We want to encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds to work with us. We believe that greater diversity of experience, skills and ways of thinking will challenge our thinking and practice on poverty and trauma and broaden our collective knowledge and networks. We encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates from all parts of the community, regardless of age, disability, race, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief or socio-economic background. We also encourage applications from those with experience or knowledge of how poverty or trauma impact on people’s lives.
Benefits
- Salary £31,842 FTE
- 35 days holiday per calendar year, inclusive of public holidays
- Pension - 10% employer contribution or 14% if employee contribution is 7%
- Private health insurance
- Annual Travel Pass Loan
- Employee Assistance Programme
The Robertson Trust is testing approaches to hybrid working. Applications for flexible working will be considered from day-one of employment.
We are a Living Wage employer accredited by the Living Wage Foundation.
How to apply
To apply please email recruitment@therobertsontrust.org.uk with your CV and a covering letter explaining why you want to work for The Robertson Trust and how you are suited to each point on the person specification for this role. The closing date for applications is 26th February 2023. First interviews will be held w/c 20th March 2023. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
A full job description can be downloaded here.