Opportunities

Job Title: Pregnancy Choices Practitioner/ Counsellor

Hours Part time: 7 – 10 Hours with some Flexible Working
Location: Aberdeen Based
Annual Salary £ 32,000 – £34,000 pro rata (£17 – £18 per hour) depending on experience or Self-employed counsellor considered.

Primary Purpose: 
The Pregnancy Choices Practitioner is responsible to the Service Manager. This post requires a Counselling Qualification to a minimum of Diploma Level and we aim to provide appointments within 3 days of a referral for a Pregnancy Crisis Client. Therefore, we are seeking someone who is able to work approximately one day per week (5 – 6 hours) and to be available to see clients at other times during the week on a flexible basis.

Key responsibilities:
To support a positive culture in all aspects of the Charity’s operations, upholding of the principles of non-judgementalism, compassion, care and respect for autonomy placing person-centred care and recovery at the heart of our services. 

To support clients facing a pregnancy crisis or loss; appointments can be offered face to face and by telephone or online counselling methods. 

To provide information to clients on the three options a client faces; parent the child, termination or adoption. To work through a pregnancy crisis using suitable methods and to be able to provide information on other sources of support a client may be able to access, including housing, benefits, social support etc. To give the client suitable support while also recognising and upholding the autonomy of the client to make their own choice on how they decide to proceed. 

To offer counselling to clients who have experienced baby loss or a termination, in a caring and supportive way. Helping them to grieve loss and to find ways to move forward. 

To support the Service Manager in reaching out to other organisations that share our values and vision through networking events, social media or workshops. To provide regular reports of statistics regarding client numbers and to use social media to promote the service.

To continue to develop your understanding of the culture that we live in and the social attitudes towards beginning of human life in relation to Pregnancy Choices support. To uphold the values of Choices Aberdeen where we do not take any political stand but want to offer a compassionate response to people of all faiths and none for anyone who may be facing a Pregnancy Crisis.

To work with a supervisor to ensure that both the clients and the counsellor are supported and feel safe and valued.

To understand the need for safeguarding and to know how to handle problems that may arise. 

To uphold the ethics and ethos of Choices Aberdeen at all times and to abide by the BACP Ethical Framework for Counselling Professionals.

To attend Board Meetings, preparing written reports to a high standard, in advance of these meetings as agreed with the Service Manager and the Board of Trustees. 

Other duties 
To undertake any other duties which may reasonably be regarded as within the nature of the duties and responsibilities of the post.  

To complete continuous personal development in related fields.

Undertake some evening and weekend work when required. 

An Occupational Requirement exists for the post-holder to be a Christian in accordance with the Equalities Act 2010.

This is a women-only role because it is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim, such as ensuring the safety and dignity of victims of sexual violence, under Schedule 3, Paragraph 27 of the Equality Act 2010. Only applicants with the protected characteristic of ‘sex’ as female, as defined by the Equality Act, will be considered.

Job Title: Service Manager

Hours Part-time: 10 – 12 Hours with some Flexible Working
Location: Aberdeen based
Annual Salary £ 32,000 – £34,000 pro rata (£17 – £18 per hour) depending on experience

Primary Purpose: 
The Service manager is responsible to the Board of Trustees and together they set the strategic direction of the Organisation. The Service Manager leads the management of the Organisation, its resources and operations, supported by the Board of Trustees.

Key responsibilities:
To lead the Team in delivering all aspects of Choices’ work including the delivery of our Counselling Services, finance, fundraising, business and partnership development, administration, facilities management, human resources, health and safety, ICT, and internal and external communications.

• To support a positive culture in all aspects of the Charity’s operations, upholding the principles of non-judgementalism, compassion, care and respect for autonomy placing person-centred care and recovery at the heart of our services. 

• To ensure compliance with legal requirements and delivery of good practice in all aspects of the Charity’s work, including accounting to funders for our work and meeting all funding conditions including reporting requirements. 

• To work to raise the profile of the Charity with external stakeholders, representing Choices to a high professional standard including in print, social media and broadcast media. 

• To support Choices’ activities as it seeks to grow and develop its resources and develop itself as a provider of excellent services for clients, designing and championing new opportunities and partnership development.

• To influence and represent the Charity externally at a high level, including within the national Pregnancy Centres Network; Education and Local Council network; with Scottish Government; and at a regional level. Building effective partnerships with organisations, including churches, who align to our values and philosophy.

Duties and responsibilities: 

Responsibilities in relation to leadership: 

• To develop a motivational, happy, supported and empowering culture which reflects the integrity and values of the Charity which continually motivates staff to achieve excellence. 

• Oversee all aspects of the leadership of the Charity, promoting high standards in all aspects of its work creating a consistent and open leadership culture.

• Seek out, develop and maintain effective working relationships with all relevant organisations and individuals to promote the work of the Charity and to promote and facilitate its strategic objectives.

• Lead by example, instilling a culture of professionalism and inclusion, where employee development and growth are prioritised through pre-active performance management. 

Responsibilities in relation to governance and compliance: 

• Foster good working relationships and ensure systems and structures are in place for the Board of Trustees to fulfil its statutory responsibilities and exercise effective control of the Charity’s affairs.

• To work with the Chair to ensure that the Board of Trustees continues to evolve and has an appropriate mix of skills and experience to oversee the performance of the Charity’s existing operations and to deliver its strategic objectives.

• Liaise with the Board of Trustees to ensure that the Charity’s overall governance structure, policies and procedures are appropriate and effective, taking remedial measures and implementing changes as necessary, including managing risk across the charities functions. 

• Attend all Board Meetings, preparing written reports to a high standard, in advance of these meetings as agreed with the Board of Trustees. Support staff to develop skills in supporting Boards.

• Develop and maintain operational policies and process in all the Charity’s functions, reviewing and updating scope and content to meet legal, regulatory and best practice requirements.

Responsibilities in relation to strategy, planning and control: 

• To work with the Board of Trustees in relation to the development of the Charity’s strategic vision, mission and values and be responsible for leading the implementation of it, ensuring that staff are vested in it as they deliver services.

• Ensure that rigorous and effective processes are in place to meet and monitor strategic objectives and provide regular reports to the Board of Trustees on the progress of the strategic plans, this will include performance measurements systems with a focus on services, as well as assessing the impact of changes in the external environment.

• Lead the development and implementation of strategic goals, objectives and financial plans to meet both the short-term and long-term business plan aspirations. This will include clear objectives for staff, and services that align to the strategy and the purposes of the Charity.

• Identify strategic risks, issues and opportunities and take responsibility for initiating and leading associated changes, including maintaining a risk strategy for the Organisation and associated mitigations.

• Seek out and implement opportunities for innovation and ensure that Choices Aberdeen Ltd. remains at the forefront of positive change in its sector and are regarded provider of excellence. 

• Develop a culture of continuous improvement throughout all aspects of the Charity’s work, encouraging a learning environment where staff, volunteers and service users feel able and are able to suggest improvements, and be heard through formal and informal feedback arrangements.

Responsibilities in relation to financial management:

• Accountable to The Board of Trustees for the overall financial health of Choices including ensuring that new funding opportunities are actively pursued.
• Ensure the appropriate financial reporting to the Board of the Charity’s financial position, and make recommendations in respect of financial management, drawing on the expertise of external advisers, where appropriate. 

Responsibilities in relation to operations: 

• Develop and lead the Team ensuring that responsibilities are clearly understood, and where collaboration and team working is in evidence and encouraged. 

• Deliver professional supervision to Members of the Team and complete performance appraisals, ensuring that all staff have an opportunity to have clear objectives, and for performance to be assessed fairly. 

• To be the Child Protection Officer for the charity and the lead signatory for PVG checks.

• To agree annual Director Performance Objectives with the Chair of the Board.

Other duties 

To undertake any other duties which may reasonably be regarded as within the nature of the duties and responsibilities of the post.  

To complete continuous personal development in related fields.

Undertake some evening and weekend work when required. 

An Occupational Requirement exists for the post-holder to be a Christian in accordance with the Equalities Act 2010.

This is a women-only role because it is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim, such as ensuring the safety and dignity of victims of sexual violence, under Schedule 3, Paragraph 27 of the Equality Act 2010. Only applicants with the protected characteristic of ‘sex’ as female, as defined by the Equality Act, will be considered.