National Coordinator, Scottish Dementia Working Group (Maternity Cover 12 months, part time)

Transcription

1 Role title: Responsible to: Location: Temporary contract: National Coordinator, Scottish Dementia Working Group (Maternity Cover 12 months, part time) Head of Policy Glasgow, Oxford Street preferred, other locations by agreement Maternity 12 months, 21 hours per week ABOUT Alzheimer Scotland is the leading dementia organisation in Scotland. We campaign for the rights of people with dementia and their families, whilst providing an extensive range of innovative, personalised therapeutic support services and investing in dementia research to towards prevention, better standards of care and ultimately to finding a cure. Alzheimer Scotland is committed to improving the lives and opportunities of people with dementia, their carers, partners and families as their journey transitions from the first point of contact through to end of life and believes nobody should face dementia alone. The Scottish Dementia Working Group (SDWG) is a national campaigning and awarenessraising Group whose members all have a diagnosis of dementia. They are the independent voice of people with dementia within Alzheimer Scotland and are led by and for people with dementia. The SDWG campaign locally and nationally to improve services for people with dementia and to improve attitudes towards people with dementia. PURPOSE OF ROLE This is an exciting opportunity to join our Public Policy team to provide strategic leadership and team management for the Scottish Dementia Working Group, so that the group can provide an effective collective voice for people living with dementia, influencing dementia policy and practice nationally and locally. You will provide overall strategic leadership, management and guidance to the Scottish Dementia Working Group (SDWG) staff team and members of SWDG, to facilitate the SDWG to be a strong and effective collective voice of people with dementia nationally and locally, and an effective, positive and collaborative partner within Alzheimer Scotland and with relevant external partners including assisting the group to identify and manage key allies and other stakeholders in achieving and promoting the group s objectives and by facilitating collaboration with SDWG and local involvement networks across Scotland to support effective national and local campaigns. You will develop the capacity and diversity of the SDWG membership to be meaningfully involved in opportunities for influencing change and oversee the support to members to attend and participate in meetings, workshops, working groups, consultations, conferences Page 1 of 5

2 and other events, including coordinating support to individual members in making presentations to groups of health and social care professionals and statutory bodies on behalf of the group. You will coordinate and support meaningful SDWG involvement in public or other consultations, ensuring that SDWG members are provided with the best evidence and information to support the group s work. Working with colleagues across Alzheimer Scotland, you will oversee the development and implementation of the SDWG communication strategy and assist in the development and implementation of public policy and campaigns. To ensure the delivery of the group s objectives and in line with Alzheimer Scotland s commitment to an effective voice for all employees, you will provide direct line management to the SDWG staff team including regular support and reflection. In addition, you will have responsibility for monitoring, evaluating and reporting progress in agreed work priorities and strategic objectives within Alzheimer Scotland, and to relevant funders. As a key member of the Policy and Research Directorate, you will contribute to the wider activities of the team and the organisation, as agreed with your line manager. As the group operates across Scotland, you will be required to travel regularly. The post is 21 hours per week. Specific working hours can be agreed on acceptance of the post. A degree of flexibility may be required to accommodate key meetings and events. This post is for 12 months maternity cover. Your approach You will lead and enable the planning and delivery of key outcomes for the Scottish Dementia Working Group and team. You will be pro-active, creative, and committed to enabling the participation of people with dementia in campaigning and activism at national and local level. You will work in a way that ensures that the Scottish Dementia Working Group both supports and is supported by Alzheimer Scotland s working localities. Your approach should support the requirement to be flexible and responsive whilst influencing and managing the expectations and needs of multiple stakeholders, including Group members. You will do this through close collaborative working with your immediate team, line manager and others with a continuing role to support colleagues in localities to deliver the seven dimensions underpinning the Alzheimer Scotland locality vision as outlined below. Page 2 of 5

3 Your leadership style The post holder should lead by example and exhibit behaviours in a leadership style that places engagement and participation at the heart of delivering the best outcomes for people with dementia and their carers. Responsibility This post has line management responsibility for the Joint Administrator for the SDWG and the National Dementia Carers Action Network (NDCAN), and 1.7FTE Development Officers currently three people. Two further Development Officers to work jointly across the SDWG and NDCAN will be recruited soon. These will be line managed by the NDCAN coordinator, with whom the successful candidate will be required to work closely to ensure that the needs of both groups are being appropriately prioritised and supported. Conditions Grade - Scale point Annual Leave pro rota, 25 days per year for the first five years; 30 days thereafter. 11 public holidays. This job description was last updated in March 2019 and is open to review by the organisation at any time. Page 3 of 5

4 Person Specification Scottish Dementia Working Group National Coordinator The following criteria will be used in shortlisting candidates and in appointing the successful applicant. Please note that the competencies are not ranked in priority order. Professional attitudes and values Comprehensive understanding of and demonstrable commitment to the principles and values of participation and involvement Knowledge of the and National Standards for Community Engagement Understanding of, and empathy with, Alzheimer Scotland s aims and values IT Excellent IT skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook Job Related Skills and Achievements Highly developed communication skills; written and verbal Highly efficient in planning, organising and managing competing priorities Proven ability to network, liaise and build effective relationships Proven ability to think and plan strategically Proficient in facilitating groups and an understanding of the dynamics and processes of group work A good understanding of working with a membership-led group Demonstrate the ability to support the development of the diversity of the SDWG Understanding of dementia and its impact on individuals and families Personal qualities Demonstrable negotiation and influencing skills Commitment to working collaboratively across the team and organisation, while comfortable with a Essential Desirable Page 4 of 5

5 high degree of autonomy Highly motivated and pro-active Other relevant experience and qualifications Recognised professional qualification community development/community education or in the social care or health care field or other related occupations to a minimum of SVQ Level 4, or equivalent experience Full driving licence and access to a vehicle during working hours. Experience of line management and collaborative management Experience of identifying, understanding and representing the views of vulnerable people and people affected by dementia Experience of coordinating and implementing risk management and ensuring the safety of vulnerable people Page 5 of 5