COSLA is the voice of Local Government in Scotland. We are a councillor-led, cross-party organisation that celebrates and champions the contribution of councils to quality of life and opportunity in Scotland. Our role as a combined voice for all councils is incredibly important in shining a light on key issues of policy, funding and legislation and how these impact at a local level. We are the national voice for local issues, bringing a keen appreciation of the countless daily interactions between councils and their communities and the difference these make to people’s lives.
This exciting and high profile new role will play a critical part in shaping and leading the delivery of Creating Hope Together - Scotland’s highly ambitious suicide prevention strategy, and an initial 3 year action plan.
Creating Hope Together sets out Scottish Government and COSLA’s plans to create a new delivery and governance model for suicide prevention work. Key to this is the establishment of a new Suicide Prevention Delivery Collective with a remit to lead implementation of the national action plan by creating a strong, unified and cohesive suicide prevention community across Scotland. The new delivery model will strengthen existing partnerships and create new ones, while also creating an active learning approach across our national, local and sectoral suicide prevention work; thereby helping to deepen the reach and impact of our collective work.
The post holder will have a high level of autonomy with dual accountability to Scottish Government and COSLA, as co-owners of the strategy and action plan. Although hosted within COSLA, the postholder will be expected to work across both organisations whilst leading collaboration with a wide range of partners.
This new model for driving and delivering our approach to suicide prevention involves significant change, and this role will be key to leading others. Another key role will be acting as the critical interface role with an advisory group, ensuring transparent and meaningful reporting, highlighting strategic risks, and seeking strategic advice where that is needed.
The post holder will have excellent collaborative leadership skills, ideally in a delivery environment, working with partners across sectors to build and maintain alliances, and a strong track record of leading a significant and complex programme of work, using a multi-sector partnership model to deliver change.
The post is fixed term for 3 years and secondments are encouraged.
Applications should be made through the myjobscotland website by 11.59pm on Monday 6 March 2023.
It is anticipated interviews will be held in week commencing 20 March 2023