Salary: £36,000 (PT: 19 hours a week)

Duration: 2 years fixed term

Secondment considered: please contact maggie.hepburn@acvo.org.uk

Location: Aberdeen City (we operate a flexible hybrid working policy)

Reports to: ACVO Chief Executive

Responsible for: No direct reports

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Third Sector Interface (TSI) at Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations (ACVO) as a Senior Development Officer, supporting the local implementation of The Promise and currently Fairer Futures work.

This role will play a key part in strengthening how third sector organisations across Aberdeen are connected, informed and involved at a strategic level.

Working closely with third sector partners and stakeholders, the postholder will support collaboration around emerging national and local developments, including a stronger focus on whole family support, early intervention and meaningful participation of care experienced people in shaping services. This will be achieved through facilitating events, coordinating learning and information sharing, and supporting the use of evidence and insight to better understand how Aberdeen is progressing collectively.

This is a chance to join a friendly and dynamic team and work alongside the third sector to turn the vision of The Promise into practical, measurable progress for children, young people and families across the city.

Job Purpose:

• To represent and promote the Third Sector at appropriate partnerships, groups and meetings, such as e.g. The Children’s Services Board and the Carer’s Strategy Implementation Group.
• To lead and facilitate the Third Sector contribution to the city-wide implementation of ‘The Promise’.
• To identify required change, barriers to change and offer support to organisations in the third sector to manage change.
• To identify required change, barriers to change with external partners and offer support to manage change.
• To plan and lead the local provider’s Forum and appropriate networks.

Main Tasks

• In conjunction with other partners, ensure that the Third Sector can contribute effectively to Children’s Services Planning and the Fairer Futures Partnership.
• To represent and promote the Third Sector at a strategic level and represent Third Sector issues at appropriate identified meetings.
• To ensure that Third Sector organisations are kept informed and given the opportunity to input into discussions, decisions, and new developments.
• To identify and support other organisations to input into and represent the Third Sector where appropriate.
• To ensure Third Sector organisations have knowledge of, and can engage with, the purpose of The Promise agenda locally.
• To plan and lead the local provider’s forum and appropriate networks.
• To participate in regular team and staff meetings of ACVO.
• To ensure that all records relevant to the post are maintained accurately.
• Any other duties which may arise from time to time provided the tasks are both reasonable and within the post holder’s capabilities.

Challenges & Demands of the Role

• Understanding and representing views of a diverse range of individuals and organisations, sometimes being the only Third Sector representative in the room.
• Maintaining good relationships and encouraging collaborative working between a diverse range of individuals and organisations.
• Supporting change in individuals and organisations
• Maintaining a good level of understanding across a range of issues around the Children, Young People and Families’ agenda.
• Managing and prioritisation of multiple tasks associated with the role.
• Maintaining a positive and solution focused attitude at all times.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential:

• An appropriate qualification in Community Work, Education, Social Work, Health or other relevant discipline.
• A working knowledge and understanding of Children’s Services agendas and issues.
• A working knowledge of representation work.
• Experience of partnership working.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• Good IT skills.
• Ability to collate and disseminate information.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel to meetings.
• Commitment to a team working approach.

Desirable:

• Knowledge and experience of children, young people and families’ third sector organisations.
• Knowledge of the Scottish Approach to Service Design (SAtSD).
• Knowledge of the Community Planning Partnership work in Aberdeen City.

Personal Characteristics:

• A commitment to apply ACVO’s values to all aspects of work.
• An awareness of the work and value of the third/voluntary sector.
• A commitment to high standards

How to apply

Applications can be completed via our online application form

Or you can Contact ACVO for an application form by email to enquiries@acvo.org.uk or by telephone on 01224 686058.

Informal enquiries can be made to Maggie Hepburn on the telephone number above or to maggie.hepburn@acvo.org.uk

Deadline for applications 5pm on Tuesday 17th February 2026.

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