Job Description

This opportunity is only open to applicants who are currently 'Priority Movers'. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.

The Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is the independent regulator and registrar for Scottish charities. Our mission is to regulate in a way that builds trust and confidence in the sector, holds charities to account, and supports them to make a positive contribution to society.

We’re looking for a Caseworker to join our team and play a key role in delivering our mission. This is a dynamic and impactful role where no two days are the same. As a Caseworker, you’ll assess applications for new charities and carry out inquiries where regulatory concerns arise, helping to ensure the sector operates with integrity and accountability.

At the heart of the role is the need to identify, assess and respond effectively and in a timely way to risks within the charity sector, in line with OSCR’s Risk Framework. Your work will directly contribute to safeguarding public trust and strengthening confidence in charities across Scotland.

You will join one the two small teams dealing with higher risk cases, and you will report to one of the Higher Risk Team Managers.

As a caseworker you will play a vital role in delivering positive outcomes for our customers communicating clear, fair and well-reasoned decisions to applicants, stakeholders and the wider public. Through this, you’ll help promote transparency and reinforce confidence in the sector.

If this sounds like an opportunity you would be interested in, please apply.

Key Responsibilities

1. Ensure best practice is followed in identifying relevant and credible information sources and assessing the information in casework, while working with managers to make sure that this work is proportionate to the risk identified and has clear outcomes in addressing that risk.
2. Make timely and defensible decisions, working in accordance with OSCR procedures, legislative requirements and procedural fairness and seeking and using:

   1. support from managers and peers,

   2. professional advice and input from colleagues across the organisation and

   3. engaging with applicants, charity trustees and external stakeholders when required

3. Manage casework to ensure consistent delivery in line with agreed performance targets, prioritising work in the light of identified risk and identifying where tasks can be escalated or de-escalated to colleagues or other teams when the risk changes.
4. Working flexibly across the range of OSCR’s casework when required, staying focused on outcomes.
5. Support OSCR’s team leaders and managers in taking forward OSCR’s culture of continuous improvement, identifying and helping to take forward opportunities to improve processes in the team and across the organisation.
6. Provide guidance on applications, queries and concerns to charity trustees and members of the public in person, on the phone and in writing, in line with OSCR corporate standards.
7. Where relevant, allocate work and manage the individual performance of team members, working with your manager to set objectives and performance targets, and monitoring output. Identify any learning and development needs for individuals and work with your manager and other colleagues to address these.
8. In line with organisational priorities and needs, work as part of a flexible team toperform other tasks and take part in projects as required.

Working pattern

This role is a permanent level transfer position.

Our standard working week is 35 hours. We understand the importance of work-life balance and offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We would be happy to discuss this with you in more detail during the recruitment process. OSCR operates a hybrid working model, with an expectation that staff attend our Dundee office at least two days per week. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive B1 grade employees.

Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words).

Vacancies close at 23:59pm on Wednesday 24 June.

Selection Process

All applicants will be invited to an informal discussion. There will be no formal testing or assessment.

Discussions are expected to be scheduled for w/c tbc.

About Us

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is the independent regulator and registrar for about 25,000 charities in Scotland. These include community groups, religious organisations, schools, universities, grant-making bodies and care providers. OSCR is a non-ministerial organisation accountable to its Board and the Scottish Parliament.

All charities operating in Scotland must register with OSCR and meet annual reporting requirements. OSCR supports charities with guidance, investigates concerns and takes action when there is evidence of misconduct or mismanagement.

OSCR’s work is guided by the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, and more recently, the Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Act 2023, which introduced new duties such as publishing a register of trustee names.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules

Minimum Time in Post
You will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of two years unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Grade or Band.

Further Information
You must discuss your intention to apply with your current line manager to help ensure release dates can be agreed

If you have specific questions about the role, please contact mary.togi@oscr.org.uk

Read our  Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.