At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead admin operations and innovate services for unpaid carers in Aberdeenshire.
- Company: Join VSA, a community-focused organisation supporting local carers.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous leave, and ongoing development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible home-based role with travel across Aberdeenshire.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of unpaid carers while enhancing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in admin and team support; passion for community service is key.
The predicted salary is between 13.45 - 13.45 £ per hour.
VSA currently has an exciting opportunity to join our Aberdeenshire Carers Service as an Administrative & Innovation Lead, working within our Administration and Service Grants Delivery Team. This is a full-time, permanent position, offering a competitive salary and excellent benefits.
About Us
VSA’s Aberdeenshire Carers Service supports adults, children, and young people who provide unpaid care to someone living in Aberdeenshire. As a locally based organisation, we bring an in-depth understanding of our communities and deliver a personalised, responsive approach to information, support, and services for carers. We are proud to be network partners with national organisations including Carers Trust and the Coalition of Carers in Scotland, ensuring we remain well-informed on current developments affecting unpaid carers.
Role Details
- Hours: 35 hours per week
- Salary: £13.45/hour
- Location: Home based, with regular weekly travel across Aberdeenshire
Requirements: A full driving license and access to your own vehicle are essential.
Benefits
- Company pension
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Generous annual leave
- Refer a Friend Scheme (£200 reward)
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities
- Access to an employee discount scheme
About the Role
This role is responsible for leading the administrative operations and innovation development of the Aberdeenshire Carers Service. You will ensure efficient processes, high-quality support, and continuous improvement across the service. You will supervise administrative and grants staff, enhance systems and processes, and maintain high standards in organisation, communication, and service delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Administrative Leadership & Team Support
- Oversee day-to-day administrative operations
- Supervise and support administrative and grants staff (including mentoring and training)
- Ensure consistent, high-quality administrative standards
- Act as the escalation point for complex administrative queries
- Service Coordination & Delivery Support
- Coordinate and monitor referrals into the service
- Maintain accurate records in line with GDPR requirements
- Support the organisation of events, training, and support groups
- Stakeholder & Carer Engagement
- Act as a first point of contact for carers, professionals, and partner organisations
- Ensure communication is professional, sensitive, and timely
- Lead on public-facing communications, including the Virtual Carers Centre and social media platforms
- Innovation & Service Improvement
- Identify and implement improvements to processes and service delivery
- Develop innovative approaches to enhance carer engagement (e.g. digital tools and communication methods)
- Lead the development of the Virtual Carers Centre and digital platforms
- Gather and report on service feedback received
- Oversee grants administration, ensuring transparent processes and effective use of funding
- Contribute to funding applications, reports, and proposals
- Data Management, Monitoring & Reporting
- Maintain accurate databases and reporting systems
- Produce reports on service activity and outcomes
- Support the service manager with monitoring requirements for funders and commissioners
- Compliance, Safeguarding and Quality Assurance
- Maintain compliance with organisational policies, including GDPR
- Support audits, inspections, and quality assurance activities
- Contribute to policy and procedure development
- Safeguarding: The postholder will be expected to work in line with organisational safeguarding and adult/child protection procedures.
- Support to Management
- Provide high-level administrative support to the Service Manager
- Prepare data and feedback for reports
- Support planning, projects and service development
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Essential: Qualification in Business Administration, Health & Social Care, or equivalent experience; Commitment to continuous professional development
- Desirable: Knowledge of GDPR and data protection; Training in digital inclusion, communications, or social media; Experience or training in grant administration or fundraising
Experience
- Essential: Experience in the third sector, health & social care, or community services; Experience managing or coordinating administrative functions; Experience supervising or supporting staff
- Desirable: Experience in grants administration; Experience in service development or innovation; Experience supporting or developing digital services
Knowledge & Skills
- Essential: Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities; Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills; Proficiency in IT systems and digital tools; Ability to analyse data and produce meaningful reports; Understanding of the needs of unpaid carers
- Desirable: Knowledge of carers legislation (e.g. Carers (Scotland) Act); Digital engagement skills (social media, online platforms)
Personal Qualities
- Essential: Compassionate and person-centred approach; Collaborative working style; Proactive and solution-focused mindset; High integrity and professionalism; Adaptability and responsiveness; Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Desirable: Creative and innovative thinking; Passion for digital inclusion and accessibility
Other Requirements
- Essential: Full, clean driving licence; Access to a vehicle; Flexible approach to work
Administrative & Innovation Lead employer: VSA
VSA is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees while making a meaningful impact in the Aberdeenshire community. With a comprehensive benefits package, ongoing professional development opportunities, and a commitment to innovation in service delivery, VSA empowers its staff to thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in our mission to support unpaid carers and be part of a dedicated team that values compassion, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Administrative & Innovation Lead
✨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 VSA.
✨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 VSA.
✨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 VSA.
✨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 VSA. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Administrative & Innovation Lead
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 VSA. 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 Administrative & Innovation Lead, 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 VSA
✨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 VSA. 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!
