JOB DESCRIPTION:
POLICY & DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (WORKFORCE)

1.DETAILS

Job Title:POLICYDEVELOPMENT OFFICER (WORKFORCE)

Location:Based in Edinburgh

Reporting to:CCPS Director

  1. JOB PURPOSE

The postholder will supportvoluntary sector social care providers, in their capacity as major employers, to develop, support and reward their workforce appropriately, in accordance with the workforce-related outcome identified by CCPS in its corporate plan:

“The provider workforce is well qualified, competent and confident, with good pay and conditions.”

This post will provide a range of relevant policy, information and development support to employers in the sector, and ensure that their views, interests and concerns are appropriately communicated to key stakeholders.The post is supported by a Reference Group of employers in the sector.

The main area of focus for the postholder will be the delivery of a programme of workforce development activity financially supported by the Scottish Government. This programme will be agreed between CCPS, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

  1. KEY RESULT AREAS
  1. Develop/maintain a strong awareness of relevant employer and workforce-related initiatives, policy and practice developments.
  2. Develop/maintain positive, collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders including Scottish Government, SSSC, HR Voluntary Sector Forum, Scottish Care and others.
  3. In collaboration with other members of the CCPS Team:
  • research, write and produce relevant briefing papers, policy documents and other materials (printed and electronic)
  • respond to enquiries from providers and other stakeholders, providing information or referring to other sources as appropriate
  • undertake surveys and other exercises, and analyse findings
  • organise relevant meetings and events, taking specific responsibility for a number of these as required.
  1. Take responsibility for all CCPS communications relating to workforce matters, including electronic and social medial communications, information bulletins, and ensuring that the relevant pages of the CCPS website are kept accurate and up to date
  2. Ensure that the concerns and interests of employersin the sector are communicated and represented at key stages of relevant workforce policy and practice development initiatives by, for example:
  3. analysing relevant documents
  4. developing co-ordinated responses from employers to consultations and other calls for information and evidence
  5. serving on relevant working groups and advisory committees
  6. attend relevant meetings, conferences and events as a delegate, representative and, where appropriate, a contributor.
  7. Support CCPS Workforce Associates by commissioning, co-ordinating and promoting relevant pieces of work as required.
  8. Prepare financial, activity and outcome reports to Scottish Government in line with agreed grant monitoring arrangements, and attend monitoring meetings as required.
  9. From time to time, undertake policy and development activity in other areas of strategic interest to CCPS.
  10. Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed.

* The office base will be at Norton Park, Edinburgh, however occasional travel within Scotland will be required.

4.PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education and qualifications

The successful candidate should preferably be of graduate calibre and demonstrate strong intellectual and organisational capabilities.

Relevant experience

Essential:

  • At least 2-3 years experience of working in a policy, information and/or development role
  • Experience of research and information gathering
  • Writing/producing information materials and publications to a high standard
  • Use of IT (ability to produce and format own documents); survey software (eg. Survey Monkey); spreadsheets
  • Familiarity with social media
  • Successful event design and organisation

Desirable:

  • Experience of multi-agency and inter-agency working
  • Use of IT: website writing/updating.

Specialised training and knowledge

Some awareness/knowledge of the following will be a distinct advantage:

  • the policy landscape in which voluntary sector social care and support providers operate;
  • relevant workforce issues, eg. those relating to registration and qualification requirements; pay and conditions; workforce development & training; leadership.

Aptitudes, abilities and skills

Essential:

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to grasp, absorb, analyse and summarise complex information rapidly
  • Ability to present strong, credible arguments on behalf of employers to key stakeholders at a senior level
  • Organisational skills
  • Strong IT skills
  • Flexible, ‘can-do’ approach
  • Values base consistent with the social care sector.

5.MAJOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The post has the following terms and conditions package:

  • Salary CCPS Scale Spinal Points 29-32(£26,761 - £30,039)
  • Five weeks annual leave plus 11 public holidays
  • Optional contributory pension scheme
  • Core working hours 35 hours per week (although from time to time additional hours may be necessary).

Funding for this post is confirmed on an annual basis.

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