Edinburgh Garden Partners
JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION
Post:
Responsible to:
Responsible for:
Hours:
Salary Scale:
Location:
Manager
Board of Directors
Volunteer Development Worker
35 hours per week
£27,279 (SJC scale point 32)
Edinburgh.
This post requires PVG membership and is subject to a three-month probationary period.
INTRODUCTION
Edinburgh Garden Partners (EGP) was set up in February 2011 to develop a garden share
scheme successfully established in 2009 by Care and Repair Edinburgh. EGP addresses
the significant gap in provision for older and disabled people who can no longer maintain
their gardens and may fear losing both their home and local community connections. It
provides people with essential support and fosters new relationships that reduce isolation
and help maintain wellbeing. Edinburgh Garden Partners effectively uses gardening as a
means of connecting and befriending older or disabled people who may be experiencing
isolation and loneliness.
Edinburgh Garden Partners supports garden sharing in two ways – General Garden
Sharing across all areas of Edinburgh and Area Specific Garden Sharing working in
areas of deprivation and providing more dedicated support and training. We are
encompassing both into our “Get Edinburgh Growing” forward strategy. Two projects in
the south of Edinburgh and the north and east of the city have been funded since April
2011.
As of May 2012, new funding has been secured, enabling two posts to be created: a full
time Manager and full-time Volunteer Development Worker (open to job-share). Threeyear funding is in place for the Volunteer Development Worker. Funding is initially in place
for one year for the Manager position; however other funding applications are pending.
Job Description
OBJECTIVES:

To work with the Board of Directors on developing Edinburgh Garden Partners to
reach its potential in enabling people with no gardens to get growing and those who
can no longer garden to enjoy better relationships and a fruitful garden.

To promote and develop Edinburgh Garden Partners, building strategic
relationships, strong networks and a high profile.

To develop, fundraise and manage new opportunities which enable Edinburgh
Garden Partners to reach its full potential
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic:
1. To drive forward the strategic planning and development of the organisation,
working alongside the Board on corporate planning and ensuring the delivery of the
Business Plan.
2. To work with the Board on a forward funding strategy which will enable EGP have a
sustainable funding base for the future.
3. To continue to seek new opportunities for EGP to grow and develop within the remit
of the organisational objectives and Business Plan
4. To develop strong networks and strategic relationships.
5. To be responsible for preparing annual and project budgets for Board approval,
monitoring of income and expenditure and reporting on performance against budget
to the Board.
6. To develop and ensure regular review of organisational policies and procedures in
consultation with the Board.
7. To act as company secretary.
Working with funders and external bodies
8. To prepare and submit funding applications to relevant funding bodies, thus ensure
continued financial support for EGP and the ability to develop new opportunities for
growth
9. To agree standards and target outputs with funding bodies and ensure both are met
and efficiently reported on.
10. To liaise and maintain close links with all outside organisations connected with the
service’s activities, including statutory, voluntary and community organisations.
11. To establish and maintain network links to assist the promotion and development of
the project and organisation.
Operational and Staff Management
12. To act as line-manager to the Volunteer Development Worker and other staff as
required.
13. To oversee and monitor the workload of the organisation.
14. To establish and maintain quality monitoring systems for the organisation.
15. To plan, co-ordinate and oversee promotional literature, publicity and marketing.
16. To oversee the development and updating of the organisation’s website and online
activity.
17. To be responsible for the general running of the office and office management.
18. To develop knowledge of other services available, and ensure that the organisation
acts as an information resource to provide referrals to other agencies if required.
19. To manage day-to-day finance, including book-keeping and managing cashflow, as
well as liaison with the bank, payroll service and accountant.
20. To provide direct support, regular supervision and general personnel support to staff
21. To organise and participate in team meetings.
Day-to-day operation of the Organisation’s Projects
22. Ensure that EGP is well publicised and promoted to potential volunteers, older
people and disabled people in the Edinburgh City area, guiding and assisting the
Board and other staff members as appropriate.
23. To assist with the provision of appropriate training and advice for staff, volunteers
and garden owners as required.
24. To assist with networking with local statutory and voluntary groups in order to
promote and develop our projects – working alongside other staff members.
25. To take part in support and supervision as required.
26. Any other duties reasonably requested.
Person specification
Essential characteristics

Experience of developing and managing an organisation

Ability to build positive relationships with local community groups/statutory agencies

Experience of preparing Business Plans and funding strategies, writing funding
applications and reporting to funders

Excellent administrative and project-management skills

Experience of HR and staff management

Experience of preparing and managing budgets

Ability to organise one’s own workload and to work independently without
supervision

Excellent interpersonal, communication skills

Marketing, PR and website skills

Interest in and experience of gardening
Desirable characteristics

Experience of working in the voluntary sector

Experience of working with older and/or disabled people

Local knowledge of Edinburgh and contacts with relevant community groups

Experience of recruiting, inducting and managing staff and volunteers
Edinburgh Garden Partners – a registered Scottish charity SC042164
May 2012