Chief Operating Officer
Scottish Refugee Council
Chief Operating Officer
Glasgow
£57,767
Established in 1985, the Scottish Refugee Council are an independent charity dedicated to supporting people in need of refugee protection. The people they work with have fled horrific situations around the world and come from countries where conflict is rife and human rights abuses common.
When people arrive in Scotland, a new journey begins. The UK’s asylum system is tough and takes its toll on individuals and families. Settling into a foreign country and a whole new system can be disorientating and challenging. Through direct services which provide practical support, advice, and a listening ear to help people rebuild their lives in a sustainable and meaningful way, they work with communities and community groups to speak out against an unjust asylum system and campaign for policy changes that make a positive difference to people’s lives.
The Role
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a newly created role which provides oversight, leadership, and vision to ensure the organisation meets its short and long-term objectives. The incumbent will ensure our people, policies, and processes support delivery of our strategic objectives and drive organisational performance through a culture of continuous improvement. They will provide professional advice and judgement on a broad range of complex matters requiring experience and understanding of organisational and cultural change. Success will rely on effective collaborative and partnership working across teams and functions, with particular emphasis on bringing the SMT together to work on key strategic plans.
The postholder will play a key role leading on three of our strategic priorities; listening and learning from those with lived experience; enhancing the wellbeing and development of our people; and embedding a strong learning culture and digital transformation.
Who are we looking for?
You will be an experienced leader in organisational operations with knowledge of delivery objectives. We are looking for someone who has extensive change management and can deliver objectives on timescales and agreed budgets. You will be a strategic thinker with a high degree of integrity and excellent judgement, you will also have strong negotiation skills and an ability to operate and influence, maintaining a focus on strategic aims, often in a crisis responsive environment. In addition, experience of the third sector would be ideal.
The COO plays a key role in supporting the Chief Executive and organisation through a period of growth in the scope and scale of our work, in response to humanitarian crises and the external demands we face as the lead Scottish agency for refugees in a fast-changing policy landscape. If you have what it takes, please contact Kate Kennedy on 0141 212 7570.
Closing Date: Monday, 20th February
Interviews: W/C 6th March
Applications should include a CV and short cover letter which demonstrates how you meet the person specification.