At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate the iCare project, supporting carers and improving identification processes.
- Company: Join a passionate team dedicated to making a difference in the lives of unpaid carers.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop skills, and contribute to meaningful change in your community.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of an ambitious project that empowers carers and drives system change.
- Qualifications: Experience in project support, strong communication skills, and a passion for community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 25650 - 31350 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a confident and organised Project Coordinator to help deliver iCare: Identifying Carers, Advancing Recognition and Equality. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF), iCare is an ambitious five-year system-change project. Working with carers, practitioners and NHS partners, the project will address barriers to support and drive changes in practice to improve earlier and more consistent identification of unpaid carers across the Lothians. It will support the development of 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.
The postholder will join a project team comprising an iCare Project & Systems Manager, based within VOCAL, and Project Coordinators covering Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian. The East and West Lothian Project Coordinators will be employed and managed by Carers of East Lothian and Carers of West Lothian respectively. All four roles will work closely together to deliver shared priorities, promote consistent practice and support learning across the Lothians.
The Project Coordinator for Midlothian will undertake a range of duties, including:
- Supporting the day-to-day delivery of iCare by maintaining clear work plans, action logs and records, and ensuring effective follow-up across project workstreams.
- Building positive working relationships with the wider project team, carers, VOCAL colleagues, NHS and community partners, and other carer centres.
- Supporting meaningful carer involvement through the development and coordination of a Carers Assembly, ensuring that carers' lived experience helps shape project priorities, changes in practice and digital development.
- Planning and supporting focus groups, workshops, briefings and training sessions with carers and practitioners.
- Supporting co-design and user testing of a digital carer identification platform, while ensuring digital options complement rather than replace non-digital support.
- Gathering feedback and data, and contributing to project learning, evaluation and reporting to the funder.
About you: You will understand unpaid caring and the impact it can have on carers’ health and wellbeing. You will also have a good understanding of the carer support landscape, including the role of Adult Carer Support Plans and the responsibilities of statutory health and social care partners. You will bring experience of supporting a project or service, working collaboratively with others, and engaging people in a respectful and inclusive way. You will also have strong organisational and administrative skills, clear written and verbal communication, digital confidence, and the ability to hold sensitive, person-centred and outcomes-focused conversations.
iCare Project Coordinator - Midlothian 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 Coordinator - Midlothian
✨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 Coordinator - Midlothian
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 Coordinator - Midlothian, 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!
