At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the iCare project to improve support for unpaid carers across the Lothians.
- Company: Join a dynamic team dedicated to making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to create lasting change.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to influence health and social care practices.
- Why this job: Be part of an ambitious project that champions equality and recognition for unpaid carers.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and a passion for supporting unpaid carers.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Project & Systems Manager to take a lead role in iCare: Identifying Carers, Advancing Recognition and Equality, an ambitious five-year system-change project funded by The National Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF). iCare aims to improve earlier and more consistent identification of unpaid carers across the Lothians, addressing barriers to support and helping to create meaningful and lasting change in practice. The project will develop an early carer identification blueprint, strengthen good carer conversations using the Adult Carer Support Plan (ACSP) framework, and co-design and implement a new integrated digital carer identification platform.
Working with iCare Project Coordinators in East, West and Midlothian (the iCare Project Team), and under the direction of the iCare Project Steering Group, you will lead and coordinate delivery across the project. You will line-manage VOCAL’s Midlothian iCare Project Coordinator and provide professional leadership and coordination across the wider iCare team. The East and West Lothian Project Coordinators will be employed and line managed by partner organisations Carers of East Lothian and Carers of West Lothian respectively.
This is a senior, hands-on role with key responsibilities that include:
- Leading the day-to-day delivery of iCare across the Lothians, ensuring delivery remains focused on agreed plans, milestones, outcomes and funder requirements;
- Coordinating the different strands of the programme, managing priorities, dependencies, risks and issues;
- Supporting the iCare Project Steering Group and translating agreed priorities and decisions into effective delivery;
- Leading monitoring, evaluation and reporting, using evidence and feedback to understand progress and support continuous improvement;
- Developing strong and effective partnerships across health, social care, the third sector, research, digital and community organisations;
- Championing consistent, high-quality approaches to early carer identification, good carer conversations, ACSPs and preventative support;
- Ensuring carers meaningfully influence the project through the Carers Assembly and wider inclusive engagement;
- Ensuring that new digital approaches complement rather than replace, non-digital routes to support.
As iCare develops a digital platform, you will also help to ensure that VOCAL’s own systems, processes and practice develop alongside it. This will include translating carer, practitioner and organisational requirements into practical system and process improvements and ensuring that VOCAL’s case-management arrangements, recording practices and carer journeys develop appropriately.
About you
We are looking for someone who can bring people, practice and systems together and turn an ambitious vision into practical, coordinated change. You will have experience of leading and managing projects, services or programmes and supporting organisational, service or systems change.
A confident and collaborative partnership worker, you will be skilled at building relationships, bringing people with you and engaging others in a respectful and inclusive way. You will also have experience of working alongside digital or technical colleagues to develop services or systems, from defining operational requirements and co-design through to testing and implementation.
You will have a good understanding of unpaid caring and the impact it can have on carers’ health and wellbeing, alongside knowledge of the carer support landscape and relevant legislation. This will include an understanding of the health and social care system in Lothian and Scotland, and how to influence and support practice change within complex systems.
iCare Project and Systems Manager employer: VOCAL
VOCAL is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its staff and volunteers, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture. As a Learning and Development Officer, you will have the unique opportunity to shape learning initiatives that directly impact the lives of unpaid carers in Edinburgh and Midlothian, while enjoying access to ongoing professional development and a flexible working environment. With a commitment to continuous improvement and a focus on high-quality support, VOCAL fosters an inclusive atmosphere where your contributions are valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land iCare Project and Systems Manager
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by VOCAL.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like VOCAL.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at VOCAL.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at VOCAL. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace iCare Project and Systems Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of VOCAL. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like iCare Project and Systems Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at VOCAL
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of VOCAL. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
