SSN Local Authority Programme Manager

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: 12 months - subject to extension depending on continued funding

The opportunity:

Lead the development, management and delivery of the Sustainable Scotland Network’s expanded Local Authority Programme on climate change and sustainability.

The Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN) is the public sector’s network on climate change and sustainability. The SSN Secretariat is part of the University of Edinburgh, based at the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute. With increased funding from Scotland’s 32 local authorities, SSN is seeking a knowledgeable, experienced and committed individual to lead the development and delivery of its enhanced Local Authority Programme.

This new post is a senior appointment in the SSN Secretariat. The Local Authority Programme Manager will work with the SSN Director, SSN Local Authority members, and SSN Secretariat colleagues to develop and deliver a range of support services to local authority leaders and professionals. The Local Authority Programme Manager will develop and implement a programme of support that includes:

• Delivery of topic-based training and development on Public Bodies Climate Change Duties to ensure that local authorities are acting in compliance with these duties and relevant guidance.
• Delivery of events, resources and advice to local authority leaders and professionals on climate change and sustainability duties, to identify, promote and replicate good practice.
• Work with the SSN Local Authority members and the Local Authority Subcommittee to coordinate and communicate local authority practitioner voices into national policy and funding developments.
• Develop programmes of support for Early Career Professionals and local authority senior leaders on climate change and sustainability.
• Improve the use of mandatory Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Reports to inform policy and practice and to drive improvement.
• Engage with leaders and external stakeholders as the national representative for the SSN Local Authority Programme, including direct engagement with local authority Chief Executives, Elected Members and Departmental Heads.
• Bring programme management, innovation and business development experience to the SSN Local Authority Programme in order to build the programme over time and to deliver high-impact support and improved collaboration.

Scotland’s local authorities have stepped up to invest in SSN to improve the range and depth of support provided to local authority leaders, experienced professionals and those in the early stages of their career. SSN is seeking to appoint someone who can realise the full potential of this investment and who can deliver excellent and trusted support to local authorities while innovating new approaches and developing the programme into the future.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced, knowledgeable and committed individual who has excellent appreciation of the support needs, pressures and opportunities facing local authority leaders and professional in delivering on climate change and sustainability objectives. This is an opportunity for a suitable person to join a well-established and trusted network based at a world leading University.

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