At a Glance
- Tasks: Support bereaved families and coordinate community activities across Scotland.
- Company: Sands, a charity dedicated to supporting those affected by baby loss.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, meaningful impact, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families facing loss while promoting community wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Experience with minoritised communities and volunteer management skills.
- Other info: Join a passionate team and help create safe spaces for support and healing.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Sands exists to save babies’ lives and ensure that anyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss receives the support and care they need.
Our volunteers are incredible! They run peer support, community-based activity, build relationships with hospitals, run football teams, cheer at events and much more. Putting them first and enabling the activity they deliver is the primary goal of the Community and Volunteering Team.
Local peer-led bereavement support is a core part of what we do here at Sands. This is primarily delivered by Support Groups and Sands United football teams run by dedicated volunteers right across the UK, most of whom are bereaved themselves. There are 84 Groups and 40 Sands United team across the UK who provide safe and welcoming spaces to be there for each other.
This is a high-profile and exciting new role which is responsible for ensuring that anyone affected by baby loss or the death of a baby has the chance to access Sands peer led activities in Scotland, promoting sport and activities for health, wellbeing and support services and groups, ensuring that all sections of the community are aware of available activities and where they can go to be part of the community.
We are looking for successful, demonstrable experience of working with minoritised communities and a good working understanding of the barriers people experience accessing bereavement support and care in statutory, health and community settings.
With experience of coordinating volunteering programmes on a regional or national basis, you will be passionate and knowledgeable about the potential for volunteering within the charity sector.
You will have excellent communication skills suitable for a range of different audiences and environments, with significant experience of volunteer management and relationship building.
Additionally, you will have experience of working with marginalised communities together with an understanding of the barriers to accessing bereavement support that these communities encounter.
To apply:
Please submit your CV, together with a supporting statement that demonstrates how you meet the criteria in the person specification torecruitment@sands.org.uk .
CVs and supporting statements should be sent as attachments to an email in either Word or PDF format. The title of the attachments should be your first name, surname and either CV or supporting statement e.g. “NAME CV”
Closing date for applications: 08 October 2025
Interview date: W/c 20October 2025
As we have limited staff resources we are unable to provide candidates with feedback about their applications. Interviews will be held online.
Please note: We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a large number of applications.
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Community Development Officer - Scotland employer: SANDS - Stillbirth And Neonatal Death Charity
Contact Detail:
SANDS - Stillbirth And Neonatal Death Charity Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Development Officer - Scotland
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Sands and our mission inside out! When you understand what we stand for, you can tailor your approach during interviews. Show us how your passion aligns with our goals, especially around supporting bereaved families.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former volunteers and staff at Sands. They can give you insider tips on what we value in a Community Development Officer and help you make connections that could boost your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions related to community engagement and volunteer management. Think about real-life examples from your experience that demonstrate your skills and understanding of the barriers faced by minoritised communities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Development Officer - Scotland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Community Development Officer role. Highlight your experience with minoritised communities and any relevant volunteer management skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Sands!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the person specification. Be specific about your experiences and how they relate to the role – we love seeing real examples!
Follow the Application Instructions: Pay close attention to the application instructions. Remember to send your CV and supporting statement as attachments in Word or PDF format, and name them correctly. It shows us that you can follow guidelines, which is super important for this role!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s easier for us to manage applications that way, and it ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Let’s get your application in!
How to prepare for a job interview at SANDS - Stillbirth And Neonatal Death Charity
✨Know Your Community
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs and challenges faced by minoritised communities in Scotland. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these needs and how you can help bridge the gap in bereavement support.
✨Showcase Your Volunteer Management Skills
Prepare examples of your past experiences in coordinating volunteer programmes. Highlight any successful initiatives you've led, especially those that involved building relationships with volunteers and community members.
✨Communicate with Empathy
Since this role involves sensitive topics, practice conveying your thoughts with compassion and understanding. Think about how you would approach conversations with bereaved families and ensure your communication style reflects that.
✨Engage with the Role's Vision
Demonstrate your passion for the charity sector and the importance of peer-led support. Be prepared to discuss how you envision promoting health and wellbeing activities within the community and how you can contribute to Sands' mission.