Workforce North Community Delivery Lead

Workforce North Community Delivery Lead

We are delighted to be expanding our reach in the Highlands and Islands through the Workforce North project and are looking for a dedicated Workforce North Community Delivery Lead.

This is a unique, impactful role responsible for building, coordinating, and embedding MCR Pathways’ transformational, relationship-based mentoring model within secondary schools and the wider employability landscape across the region.

As the Workforce North Community Delivery Lead, you will be the key enabler for MCR Pathways’ contribution to this initiative. You will provide career-focused mentoring support for S4 secondary school young people who are looking to disengage from education without a clear destination, empowering them to build confidence, focus on their goals, and realise their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Partnerships & Collaboration: Capitalise on established partnerships with local councils, Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), Skills Development Scotland (SDS), businesses, and voluntary sector organisations to create robust referral, enrichment, and positive destination routes for young people.
• Operational Caseload & Delivery: Carry an operational caseload of young people and mentors across schools and community settings. Actively support young people to rapidly secure and maintain a mentored relationship, conducting regular progress and impact reviews to keep them on track.
• Mentor Recruitment, Onboarding & Training: Collaborate with internal teams to build a steady pipeline of volunteer mentors. Organise engaging recruitment events and coordinate and deliver WFN Mentor Training, supporting mentors through onboarding (including PVG checks) and ongoing engagement via the Mentor Hub.
• Regional Support & Safeguarding: Support local Pathways Coordinators across the Workforce North area. Adapt and test the mentoring model for rural/remote settings, identifying safe, non-stigmatising venues, conducting risk assessments, and setting up robust venue vetting and confidentiality protocols (with support from colleagues and partners).
• Impact, Monitoring & Quality Assurance: Capture compelling case studies and good news stories, analyse programme impact data, and feed back best practices to support stakeholders, funders, and the future scaling of workforce initiatives across the UK.

About You

• Experience: Proven track record in project coordination, volunteer/team engagement, community involvement, and working directly with young people (aged 11–18) or vulnerable groups—preferably within education, social care, community development, or the third sector.
• Relationship Building & Communication: Exceptional ability to build trusted, meaningful relationships with education colleagues, operational partners, employers, mentors, and young people, with a talent for delivering compelling, emotionally engaging presentations and training.
• Safeguarding & Technical Skills: Sound understanding of safeguarding and child protection duties. Competent in digital literacy, data analysis, impact evaluation, and digital tools (including social media, Google Drive, and spreadsheets). Knowledge of the Scottish secondary education system is desirable.
• Qualifications: Evidence of a broad education including National 5+ (or equivalent) in English and Maths essential. An HNC level or above (or working towards) in a relevant subject (e.g., Children & Young People, Social Care, Community Development, Careers, Leadership) is desirable.
• Attitude & Values: Highly self-motivated, adaptable, and solution-focused. You put young people consistently at the heart of your practice and act as a genuine role model for MCR's core attributes: Motivation, Commitment, & Resilience.

Please note: A valid driving licence and access to a car are essential for this role due to regional travel across community venues and schools.

About Us

MCR Pathways is an award-winning charity established in Glasgow in 2007. Our mentoring programme is delivered in schools across Scotland and in North East and South East England, helping vulnerable young people gain self-confidence, identify their skills, and fulfill their potential.

• Our Mission: To connect every young person with a trusted adult mentor—someone who sparks confidence, fuels ambition, and walks beside them as they find their way.
• Our Vision: MCR Pathways will work until every young person has someone to help them find their way.
• Our Values: Respect, Communication, Trust, and Growth inform everything we do.

What We Offer

• Leave: 30 days annual leave in Year 1 (rising to 35 days from Year 2), plus 3 additional days between Christmas and New Year public holidays, and an extra day off for your birthday.
• Support & Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and Life Assurance (4 x salary).
• Flexibility & Culture: Home working with travel expenses reimbursed, joining a friendly, passionate team dedicated to making a tangible difference.