Project Officer – Scotland

Samaritans; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

Edinburgh office access

28 days annual leave

Travel across Scotland

Job summary

Samaritans Scotland is seeking a Project Officer to coordinate and deliver change across Scotland. You’ll work with the Programme Manager to turn plans into action, support local volunteering and outreach, collaborate with branches, coordinate training and engagement, and help build strong relationships with partners and communities.

This is a 24-month fixed-term contract offering hybrid working and Edinburgh-based offices with 35 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting projects, preferably within large transformations.
• Experience coordinating and leading meetings, workshops or engagement sessions.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to collaborate and work sensitively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience in a volunteer-led organisation is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support development of detailed project plans.
• Coordinate and monitor delivery of the project plan.
• Create and maintain up-to-date project documentation.
• Support development and establishment of Community Teams in Scotland.
• Support testing and development of a clearer national model for outreach in Scotland.
• Coordinate activity across different workstreams.
• Organise and lead meetings, workshops and engagement sessions.
• Support communications to internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Project coordination

Meetings & workshop facilitation

Organisation

Communication & relationship building

Stakeholder collaboration

Volunteer-led environment experience

Job description

Help us achieve our vision that fewer people die by suicide.Samaritans is entering an important period of change as we strengthen how we provide emotional support to people across Scotland and make sure our services can reach people when and where they need us most.

We’re looking for a Project Officer to help us coordinate and deliver this work across Scotland. Working closely with our Programme Manager, you’ll help turn plans into action. Your work will include supporting new local volunteering and outreach activity, working with volunteers and branches, coordinating training and engagement, and helping us build strong relationships with partners and communities. You’ll play an important role in keeping activity organised and moving forward. This will include coordinating meetings and actions, tracking progress, helping identify issues or risks, and making sure colleagues and volunteers have the information they need.

Building good relationships will be central to the role. You’ll work with volunteers, staff and external partners across Scotland and will be an important point of contact for branches and volunteers involved in the work. You’ll also help make sure people are kept informed as plans develop and changes are introduced.

It’s an opportunity to contribute to an important period of development for Samaritans in Scotland and to help shape how we support people and communities in the future.

Contract terms:£32,000 - £34,000 per annum, plus benefits24-month fixed term contract35 hours per week (full-time)We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferencesHybrid, linked to our Edinburgh (Scotland) office. The role will require frequent travel throughout Scotland.We value meeting in person and working collaboratively. We work in person around 1 day a week in Edinburgh.28 days annual leave, plus bank holidaysThis role will require occasional evening and weekend working

What you'll be doing:

• Support the development of detailed project plans
• Coordinate and monitor the delivery of the project plan
• Create and maintain up to date project documentation
• Support the development and establishment of Community Teams in Scotland
• Support testing and development of a clearer national model for outreach in Scotland
• Coordinate activity across different workstreams
• Organise and lead meetings, workshops and engagement sessions
• Support with communications to relevant internal and external stakeholders

What you’ll bring:

• Experience providing support to projects, ideally within a large-scale transformation programme
• Experience of coordinating and leading meetings, workshops or engagement sessions
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to effectively manage competing priorities
• Great communication and relationship building skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and sensitively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Experience of working in a volunteer-led organisation is desirable

For full details, please see the Job Description and Person Specification

Why Samaritans?

At Samaritans, you’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission. You’ll be part of a collaborative and supportive team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives. We offer flexible hybrid working, great benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland. To find out more about Samaritans, please read our recruitment brochure.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the people we support and who support us. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels seen, heard and supported, at all levels of the organisation.