Senior Development Leader

Deafblind Scotland is the specialist charity working with adults who are living with dual sensory impairment. Our ambitions are high for members’ and we are therefore at the cutting edge of finding ways to support people to lead their most meaningful life. Deafblindness can be a devastating condition that can make daily life extremely challenging and as a result, many dual sensory impaired people become isolated. Our services can make a vital difference to their lives; enabling people to regain confidence, develop vital communication skills and re-establish social connections.

We are seeking to recruit a motivated, enthusiastic and experienced person to develop learning, social and cultural activities, opportunities and programmes for deafblind people, using Deafblind Scotland’s Learning and Development centre as a local, regional and national resource and developing outreach hubs for deafblind people or those who have a severe single sensory impairment and are at risk of a second sensory impairment, whether that is a sight or hearing loss to access support and activities locally. In reaching out to more deafblind people across Scotland, and as we progress post-Covid, you will promote engagement through accessible technology, utilising online platforms for activities and supporting virtual connection for people. Therefore, recreating our Learning and Development Centre in a virtual form so that we create a virtual centre that will bring people together.

The post holder will design and promote programmes of activities and learning opportunities which address our key priorities and working in partnership with other services and agencies you will identify opportunities for raising awareness of both the rights and potential of deafblind people and encouraging the provision and co-ordination of a range of activities, services and support with focus on growing our peer leadership programmes and approaches.

This is a key role working alongside senior management to identify opportunities to achieve Deafblind Scotland’s vision and strategy and helping to implement and develop our mission of a society where deafblind people in Scotland can live as rightful members of their own community. Engaging at a local and national level to garner support, funding and interest for the development of these activities and learning opportunities.

Good written and report writing skills are essential as is the ability to work to tight timescales including the ability to prioritise tasks. It is desirable that you have a suitable social work, health, counselling, social care qualification or equivalent with experience of developing projects and achieving project objectives. Possession of British Sign Language skills is desirable, or a willingness to learn, and an enthusiasm to learn about deafblind people and their rights is essential.