James Whyte Email & Phone Number

Scotland, United Kingdom

As a key member of the Corporate Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Director of Service Delivery at VSS, I oversee the alignment of our initiatives with strategic objectives. My focus is on developing future strategies, particularly in volunteering, to ensure comprehensive support for individuals affected by crime across Scotland. I manage all planning aspects within my area, ensuring our team of staff and volunteers are equipped to effectively provide assistance where and when it's needed most.

Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom

Volunteer Scotland is Scotland's only national centre for volunteering.• Deliver training on behalf of Volunteer Scotland for volunteer engagement professionals across Scotland. Training covers a broad range of relevant good practice areas, including Effective Leadership, Change Management, Volunteer Mental Wellbeing, and Development of a Volunteer Strategy.• Support, advise, and assess volunteer involving organisations seeking accreditation with the Investing in Volunteers (IiV) award. IiV is the UK quality standard for good practice in volunteer management.

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Sight Scotland & Sight Scotland Veterans form Scotland’s largest visual impairment organisation.• Lead management responsibility for the development and implementation of a sustainable volunteer strategy, ensuring alignment with best practices and wider organisational strategy.• Establish structures and systems for volunteer engagement, identify requirements, and provide comprehensive training, support, and liaison for volunteers and staff.• Served on the governance committee leading the development of the Scottish Government’s new Volunteer Action Plan.• Guest speaker and workshop leader at annual conferences of both the Association of Volunteer Managers (AVM) and the Association of Voluntary Service Managers (AVSM) on the topic of inclusive volunteering.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Sight Scotland & Sight Scotland Veterans form Scotland’s largest visual impairment organisation.• Lead management responsibility for the development and implementation of a sustainable volunteer strategy, ensuring alignment with best practices and wider organisational strategy.• Establish structures and systems for volunteer engagement, identify requirements, and provide comprehensive training, support, and liaison for volunteers and staff.• Served on the governance committee leading the development of the Scottish Government’s new Volunteer Action Plan.• Guest speaker and workshop leader at annual conferences of both the Association of Volunteer Managers (AVM) and the Association of Voluntary Service Managers (AVSM) on the topic of inclusive volunteering.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

National Lead – Volunteering ProgrammeLed the national volunteering programme, ensuring best practice in volunteer management across recruitment, vetting, selection, training, and ongoing support. Key achievements include the introduction of standardised policies and procedures nationwide, improving consistency and effectiveness. Provided strategic support to managers, helping them maximise volunteer contributions while ensuring a meaningful and rewarding experience for volunteers. Managed performance reporting, quality assurance, and piloted innovative approaches to enhance volunteer engagement. Successfully led the organisation to achieve Investing in Volunteers accreditation in summer 2016.Key Skills & Achievements:- Revamped volunteer recruitment and selection processes- Developed comprehensive volunteer management policies and procedures- Designed and facilitated training programmes- Expertise in project management and performance evaluationNational Digital Youth Work LeadManaged the digital youth work team, providing support to young people via email, text, and one-to-one online chat. Oversaw the organisation’s digital presence, including website and social media management. Although separate from the volunteering programme, I was entrusted with this responsibility due to my expertise in digital engagement.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Key Achievements: - Led a successful competitive tender bid for GMH, expanding operations into the Grampian Health Board region, and managed all activities, including staff and office premises in this area.- Established and managed a community-based, volunteer-led sexual health testing service.- Managed a peer education service operating both online and in LGBTQ+ venues.- Organised and facilitated highly successful residential weekends for gay and bisexual men living with HIV.- Established and managed a remote reporting service for gay, bisexual men, and men who have sex with men affected by crime.- Managed a volunteer-led community magazine focused on health and wellbeing.- Participated in a DFID-funded partnership, delivering HIV prevention training and peer education guidance to professionals in Yekaterinburg and the Seversk Oblast region of Russia over multiple visits.Responsibilities: - National lead for volunteering and community development at GMH.- Managed the GMH Grampian project, overseeing staff and volunteers.- Handled contract management and liaised with funders.- Engaged with stakeholders to advance the project’s objectives.- Managed budgets, secured funding, and provided regular written reports.- Oversaw the organisation's websites and social media presence.