Through management of a team of area managers, the Scotland Network Lead will ensure the food banks in our network get the support they need to deliver emergency food, while we work together to achieve our vision to end the need for food banks altogether. Using strategic, negotiation and partnership skills, the Scotland Network Lead will manage our work in Scotland to support the food banks in our network to reduce the need for their services locally. This role also provides crucial support to and oversight of food bank operations across Scotland, including quality assurance and risk management. Scotland currently leads the UK in having a rights-based, progressive agenda to ending the need for food banks, but there is much to do to ensure political intentions become a reality. This role will provide essential support to our area managers and the food bank network to reduce, prevent and eventually end the need for food banks in Scotland.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Manage the delivery in Scotland of food bank operations and key strategic projects that are part of the Trussell Trust’s five-year strategy to end the need for food banks.

• Build partnerships with organisations across Scotland to develop and build services and systems that help end the need for food banks.

• Engage with a wide range of external bodies, including elected representatives, faith and community organisations, and research bodies.

• Drive a culture of innovation, resourcefulness and change within the Trussell Trust’s operations.

Support the Head of Scotland and Northern Ireland in the development of systems, processes and communications to ensure service excellence.

Team Leadership:

• Provide leadership, support and line management to the area managers. 

Risk Management:

• Ensure consistent quality assurance of food banks across the region, in line with guidance from the safeguarding and quality team at the Trussell Trust.

• Support area managers to deal with complaints and manage food banks with high risks.

Cross-organisational working:

• Act as a liaison between the area team, the wider operations team, and other directorates, managing the flow of ideas and feedback to positive effect. 

• Attend operations management meetings and cross-organisational working groups, and follow-up with relevant actions/roll outs in Scotland.

• Any other reasonable duties as specified by your line manager to support the work of the Trust.

The Trussell Trust is a charity founded on Christian principles which works to end the need for food banks in the UK. We all subscribe to the same values of dignity, justice, compassion and community, and hope that new team members will too, irrespective of belief or background.