News June 2023

Vacancy: Scholarship Training Officer

We are currently looking for a Fixed Term Scholarship Training Officer to help us make a real difference to reducing poverty and trauma in Scotland. The closing date for applications is Sunday 16th July.

The Robertson Trust are looking for a Fixed Term Scholarship Training 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 Scholarship Training 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:

  • Design and deliver targeted training opportunities as part of JtS programme for scholars
  • Share facilitation skills best practice through cross team working both internally and externally
  • Identify training and development needs within the scholar group to aid with scholar career goals
  • Co-ordinate the internship programme and related career pathway programmes including liaising with employers and delegating tasks to team members
  • Provide 1:1 scholar support across a range of issues including recruitment guidance, finance, accommodation, and mental health
  • Reaching out to partner organisations and external agencies to advocate on behalf of scholars and identify appropriate support routes
  • Read and respond to bi-annual scholar reports each semester providing support where required
  • Maintain strong relationships with universities and external partner organisations regarding match funding agreements
  • Be involved in the annual selection of candidates for Scholarship including participating in the design and delivery of our induction programme
  • Continually monitor the effectiveness of learning support for scholars through forms of co-production that amplify the scholar voice.
  • Assist in the evaluation of all training and development programmes undertaken
  • Assist in the development of processes and systems
  • Interpret patterns and trends to support informed decision making and to improve and develop programmes and activities for Scholars and Alumni.
  • Maintain accurate records to support effective targeting, monitoring, and evaluation
  • Provide updates on programme outputs
  • Identify any opportunities and improvements to the JtS programme

The role is fixed term for 12-months to cover maternity leave. 

>> View the full job description here.

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 £34,167 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 committed 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 16th July 2023.  First interviews will be held 31st July 2023.

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.