Energy Jobs
This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with demonstrable research and development experience to play a key role supporting the delivery of our Diocesan strategy, Southwark Vision 2024-2035, Christ Centred Outward Focused. As a result of a successful application for funding from the national church, the Diocese of Southwark has launched the Southwark Diocesan Investment Programme (DIP) - a multifaceted, integrated and transformational programme designed to help resource and implement Southwark Vision and further mission, ministry and growth in parishes across the Diocese.
The DIP Research and Development Officer will be a member of the Diocesan Strategic Development Unit working specifically on researching and developing different workstreams for this exciting new progamme as it starts and also contribute to the existing strategic development funded projects coordinated through the Strategic Development Unit.
About you
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in work, with strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Self-motivated and able to work independently, as well as part of a team.
- A flexible and adaptable approach to work, with a willingness to learn new methodologies or techniques.
- Demonstrated commitment to ethical research practices and maintaining confidentiality.
- Proficient in data analysis, with the ability to interpret complex datasets and produce clear findings.
A good understanding of the structure, breadth and dynamics of the Church of England will be important, along with the desire to serve our churches and support a fruitful future.
Are you interested in applying? Please view the Job Information Pack for full and further details about the role, including shortlisting and interview dates.
About us
The Diocese of Southwark is one of the 42 dioceses of the Church of England, created in 1905 from part of the ancient Diocese of Rochester. The Diocese covers South London and East Surrey, is one of the largest Dioceses in the Church of England and the most diverse, and is divided into three episcopal areas: Croydon, Kingston, and Woolwich. It has the London home of the Archbishop of Canterbury and has the centre of the Church of England in the diocese, Lambeth Palace. Today the Diocese ministers to nearly three million people over an area of 317 square miles through its 293 parishes and 105 church schools, educating more 37,000 young people. The churches offer welcome, care and dignity to their parishes, supporting those in education, hospitals and prisons, and pioneering communities seeking to reach out and serve in new ways.
Equal Opportunities
The Diocese has a strong commitment to equal opportunities and will not discriminate on the grounds of race, nationality, age, sex, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, religion or belief. Its employees are expected to abide by the Equal Opportunities Policy which embodies these principles.
Welcome to the Diocese of Southwark, where we seek to be Christ Centered Outward Focused in all we do.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Making The Leap is an innovative societal change charity that aims to make a big difference. From direct delivery, to advocacy and leadership, we refuse to stay in our lane and believe passionately that those we exist to serve have the right to be anything they want to be. To say that this is an exciting time for the organisation would be an understatement, as our incredible funders, donors, partners and supporters have given us the chance to move to the next level, and have further influence and delivery nationally.
The shared soul of the organisation is to be passionate about helping young people from less-advantaged backgrounds; build up other charities and community groups and want to partner with them or support them; want to work with businesses and organisations to get things done; and care deeply about addressing racial inequity.
The organisation has a number of strands: core Making The Leap; the UK Social Mobility Awards; the Social Mobility Podcast; Black Charity Leaders and The Social Mobility List.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) has an international award-winning reputation in heritage conservation and regeneration for its own estate. For this reason CCT has been contracted to deliver a programme of work for Historic Chapels Trust (HCT). HCT owns and cares for 20 of the most significant Nonconformist and Catholic chapels no longer in regular use by their congregations, all listed at Grade I and Grade II*. Key to the project is management of the assets, funded by the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) through their Cultural Assets Fund (CAF).
As a member of CCT’s national Conservation team you will be the main point of contact for all chapel maintenance related issues, liaising closely with contractors, local groups and volunteers. Alongside the Conservation Projects Manager for Chapels you will deliver the maintenance programme, including regulatory and legal compliance, as well as deal with utilities and insurance of chapels. 10 of the chapels are in our North region, 6 in our West region and 4 are in our South East region.
You will have previous experience in the field of historic buildings maintenance, repair or property management. You will be an effective communicator, be able to plan and deliver your own workload and also work as part of a team. As you’ll be working at chapels throughout England it is essential you have a full driving licence.
If you would like to apply for this role, please visit our recruitment portal to begin your application. You will be asked to submit a CV and a short supporting statement (max 2 sides A4) outlining why you’d like to apply and how you fulfil the person specification for this post, so you’ll need to refer to the job description.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 8am on 4th November 2024
The interviews will take place in London on 15th November 2024. Please note that the interview date and location have been specifically chosen according to the availability of the panel.
We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer. Candidates who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the job will be offered an interview.
If you have any queries about this role, or if you have a disability and wish to request a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.
We are an inclusive employer and offer equal opportunities to all regardless of an individual’s age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
We are not a licensed sponsor at this time. Any offer of employment will be made subject to valid right to work in the UK being provided.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Reed Finance are proud to be working exclusively with London Design & Engineering University Technical College in appointing a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to oversee all financial aspects of their educational institutions, including the UTC, the 6th Form, and the Engineering Skills College. The CFO will be responsible for strategic financial planning, managing financial risks, financial reporting, and ensuring sustainable economic health.
This is an exciting time to be joining when significant and substantial growth is being planned, which you will be pivotal in supporting the delivery of. We are seeking an insightful and highly strategic individual who has the ability and appetite to influence at both micro and macro level. An engaging individual, comfortable with leading day-to-day operations and presenting to trustees and external organisations.
Key deliverables of the role:
- Advise the CEO and board on financial strategy and operations.
- Develop and implement the trust’s strategy, providing financial analysis and guidance on all activities.
- Conduct financial due diligence on potential new members of the trust and report recommendations.
- Manage the budget process, ensuring alignment with the trust’s strategic objectives.
- Develop and monitor the trust’s business plan using effective financial and budget modelling.
- Ensure robust financial management through the development and monitoring of financial policies and procedures.
- Manage internal and external audit procedures, ensuring compliance and addressing any recommendations.
- Oversee the trust’s commercial contracts and procurement procedures to achieve financial efficiencies.
- Complete and submit financial returns as required by regulatory bodies.
- Manage the central finance team, ensuring professional development and best practices.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Proven experience in a senior financial leadership role within a similar sized organisation.
- Demonstrated success in financial planning, analysis, and strategy development.
- Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire teams.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively at all levels.
- Strategic thinker with strong project management skills.
- In-depth knowledge of financial regulations, standards, and best practices.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary package.
- Opportunities for professional development and growth.
- Dynamic and supportive work environment.
- Contribution to significant educational initiatives.
- Hybrid working available, typically one day per week working from home, though consideration for two working days from home will be given for the right individual.
The closing date for applications, which will require a tailored CV and supporting statement is midnight on Sunday November 3rd.
Position: Campaigns Manager
Type: Full-time (35 hours a week), permanent
Location: Office based in London with flexibility to work remotely
Salary: £39,717* per annum plus excellent benefits
Salary Band and Job Family: Band 3, Charity
*you will start at our entry point salary of £39,717 per annum, increasing to £42,199 after 6 months service and satisfactory performance and to £44,681 after a further 6 months.
About us
We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.
Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus.
Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award-winning support and information.
Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.
About this job
With a new UK government, elections upcoming in Scotland and Wales, a new MS Society strategy in the wings for 2025, it’s an exciting time to join our campaigns team as we look to take our campaigning up a gear.
Whether it’s about making sure people access ground-breaking treatments, tackling the poverty people face when living with MS, or making sure the right support is there when people need it most, as our campaigns manager you’ll be leading a team to empower, inspire and mobilise our community to become change-makers.
Do you want to make sure our digital actions hit the right note, that our emails pack a punch, and we bring energy and creativity to our campaigning? Are you keen to lead a team where we will prioritise personal development and foster a culture which supports learning, innovation, testing and giving things a go? Do you want to support people living with MS to be more involved in our campaigns and embed co-production throughout our work?
If this sounds of interest to you, we’d be really interested in hearing from you.
Closing date for applications: 9:00 on Thursday 31 October 2024
Interested?
PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Equal Opportunities
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.
We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application.
Disability Confident Employer
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.
You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.
If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.
More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to):
Encouraging work life balance
- 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
- More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
- Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us)
- Flexible working options
Caring for you and your family
- Generous sick pay entitlement
- More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment
- Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year
- Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis
- Enhanced leave for new parents
- Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
- Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
- 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time
- 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time
- Cycle to work scheme
- Death in service scheme
- New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
- In the event of miscarriage or still birth
- To support fertility treatments
- For antenatal appointments for both parents
Thinking about your finances
- Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
- Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
- New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing
Enriching your life at work
- Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
- Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
- New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely
- Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups)
- Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support
- 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community)
- 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal
Safeguarding
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.
This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.
We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.
We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.
Your right to work in the UK
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.
You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.
No agencies please.
To fund world-leading research, share the latest information and campaign for everyone's rights. Together we are a community. Together we can stop MS
We have an exciting new opportunity for a Head of Fundraising to join our Income Generation team. Primarily, this new role will have direct responsibility for growing and managing our Individual Giving income streams within the Fundraising team, but will also have managerial responsibility for the Corporate, Community & Events income streams. The role will provide leadership and support to motivate and inspire team members to drive income.
The role will also play a crucial part in contributing to the success of the wider organisation, representing fundraising at the Heads of Service meetings.
The ideal candidate will have experience working in fundraising in the charity/not for profit sector, managerial experience, a proven record of meeting and exceeding targets and KPI’s, and excellent communication skills.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
At Bipolar UK we are passionate about improving understanding of mental health and empowering people affected by bipolar to lead their best lives.
Every month we empower 1,000 people to stay well and we plan to support many more. We offer specialist information and resources through our website, host over 80 peer support groups monthly and offer a 1-1 peer support line and moderated eCommunity. We also work with research organistions and campaign to ensure bipolar voices are heard.
As Fundraising Officer, you will be playing a pivotal role in nurturing and growing our supporter-base across individual giving and events so that we can scale up our services to meet the needs of our community.
Position: Fundraising Officer (fixed term - initially 1 year)
Responsible to: Strategic Partnership Manager
Location: Flexible and remote working
Hours: 35 hours per week (full-time) - flexible working
Salary: £28,000 per annum
Annual leave and benefits:
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25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays)
-
Flexible working
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Company contributory pension scheme
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Employee Assistance Programme
How to apply: Click the Quick Apply button below. You’ll be asked to submit a CV and answer a few short screening questions about your relevant skills and motivation.
Interviews will take place in the week commencing 18 November.
Closing date: 8 November 2024
What you’ll be working on:
You'll be maintaining excellent stewardship to nurture and grow our supporters across a range of income streams
You'll be acting as a first point of contact for a wide range of supporters and enquirers and maintaining excellent stewardship to nurture and grow our donorbase.
You'll be managing and improving resources to support fundraising including t-shirts, posters, flyers, donation boxes and fundraising packs.
You'll be liaising with the communications team to create promotional materials for the website and social channels to increase fundraising engagement.
You'll be working alongside the fundraising team and communications team to deliver fundraising campaigns.
You'll be managing a number of external accounts to maximise event fundraising including Run for Charity, Enthuse and Discover Adventure.
You'll also be managing accounts to support in-memory donations and legacies and enhancing opportunities for growing these income streams.
This job is for you if:
You are passionate about creating a better world for people living with severe mental health conditions.
You have at least 2 years’ experience of fundraising ideally in individual giving or community fundraising.
You have excellent written and verbal skills – with experience of writing compelling copy and building diverse strong relationships.
You have excellent project management and time management skills.
You are creative and versatile in your approach and value the opportunity to grow and shape your role.
You have experience of delivering against targets.
You are comfortable working with minimal supervision in a remote environment.
You have a sound understanding of the principles of fundraising including ethical fundraising and GDPR compliance.
You have used Salesforce (or equivalents).
You have a high level of competence using Microsoft Office software and are able to quickly adapt to new technologies.
And finally:
An understanding of bipolar is desirable and we welcome applications from those with lived experience of bipolar either themselves or through family and friends.
Our mission is to empower everyone affected by bipolar to live well and fulfil their potential.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Role
SafeLives is very proud of its reputation for high quality training and operational programmes, and your role in maintaining our standards for learners and stakeholders will be vital.
As a Training and Engagement Coordinator to the Scotland Team, you will provide effective and efficient co-ordination of resources and support, primarily related to our accredited courses, Idaa and DACA, as well as our open course and bespoke training, when capability allows. You will work alongside the Training Lead and Senior Training and Engagement Coordinator and occasionally help support with our Safer, Sooner and Authentic Voice operational work.
This role is integral to our providing quality training across Scotland, influencing and enhancing the approach of professionals who come into contact with domestic abuse.
Hours: 22.5 hours per week (3 days)
Contract: April 2026 with the possibility of extension
Location: UK based, remote (with occasional fully imbursed travel in Scotland and wider UK and, where candidate is England-based, expected occasional working from Bristol office)
About SafeLives
We are SafeLives, the UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good.
Last year alone, 14,000 professionals received our training. Over 80,000 adults at risk of serious harm or murder and more than 100,000 children received support through dedicated multi-agency support designed by us and delivered with partners. In the last six years, over 4,000 perpetrators have been challenged and supported to change by interventions we created with partners, and that’s just the start.
Together we can end domestic abuse. Forever. For everyone.
Benefits
- 34 days' holiday incl. public holidays
- Flexible working e.g. compressed hours
- Cycle to work scheme
- Eye care vouchers
- Pension scheme with 4% employer contribution
- Childcare vouchers
- Employee assistance programme
- Clinical supervision
- Holiday purchase scheme to buy up to an additional 5 days
- Enhanced family leave policies
- Enhanced sick pay
- Professional development fund
- Individual learning budget
- Restorative practice training
- Time off in lieu
If this challenge sounds as exciting to you as it does to us and you believe you have the qualities we have described, please take a look over the job description and submit a 500-word cover letter and CV.
Closing date: Wednesday 6th November 2024.
SafeLives is a committed provider of equal opportunities for all; please see our job description for full details.
No agencies, please.
Creative Content Officer
Location: Flexible remote (with monthly meetings / team days at our office in Horsham, West Sussex) with a requirement to attend events in person
Salary: £28,000 per annum (FTE)
Level: Grade 4 and B
Hours: Part-time, 21 hours per week (to include Tuesday)
Contract: Permanent
Who is Born Free?
Born Free is a UK registered charity that works tirelessly to ensure that all wild animals, whether living in captivity or in the wild, are treated with compassion and respect, and are able to live their lives according to their needs. We oppose the exploitation of wild animals in captivity and campaign to keep them where they belong – in the wild.
About this opportunity
Are you excited about incredible content and the reaction it gets from an audience? Do you know what works, what doesn’t, and why? Do you thrive by creating engaging stories? Do you love the challenge of creating short form video content that engages audiences? Do you know how to harness and amplify a brand message to create authentic experiences and interactions with our community?
We are looking to recruit a Creative Content Officer who can take our captivating stories, spanning nearly 40 years of conservation and wild animal welfare, and deliver them to today’s diverse audiences in exciting, creative and contemporary ways, engaging people of all ages.
Under the leadership of the Digital Marketing Lead, working alongside the Social Media Officer and with the support of the Communications Officer, you’ll create visual content, including video and graphics for the delivery of all Born Free’s digital channels, including – but not limited to – fundraising appeals, adoption stories, stories from the field, including conservation and animal rescue and relocation, and news stories from the policy team working tirelessly to campaign for strengthened national and international legal protection for wildlife.
You will have the incredible opportunity to translate our powerful narrative, outstanding achievements, and ambitious plans to all touchpoints on social, working directly with our programmatic and marketing teams and the Co-Founder. You'll build and grow our engagement and conversions by tailoring content to our different audiences.
The Creative Content Officer will need to have the energy and hands-on attitude to thrive in a lean, fast-paced environment with strong focus on outstanding content, accuracy and performance. This role requires a truly collaborative approach, embracing all aspects of the Foundation’s overall work, and an understanding of how your work affects, and is affected by, the work of everyone around you.
Responsibilities & Duties
- Working under the direction of the Digital Marketing Lead, and collaboratively with the Social Media Officer, develop and create impactful and engaging visual content, with a focus on video and graphics, for our social media and digital marketing channels to grow our social media audiences
- Ensure content is adapted / suitable for specific channels / audiences and is in line with brand aesthetics and identity
- Manage multiple video projects simultaneously
- With the Head of Communications and PR, work with external freelance editors when required
- Identify consumer trends to help with planning social media campaigns.
- Analyse competitor activity and keep your pulse on the latest social media trends
- With the Social Media Officer, create a flexible, proactive and reactive content calendar for all social that enhances the broader programmatic, marketing and leadership plans.
- Ensure that the BFF’s brand is consistent across every platform
- Live and breathe our brand voice and style guides, and continue to develop them through content, alongside
- On occasion schedule content on Sprout Social and respond be on the rota for social media community management.
Our Ideal Candidate
- Strong filming and editing skills in Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Express and CapCut
- Lives and breathes video – thrives on creating content that genuinely connects with audiences.
- Inclusive, creative, courageous, discerning, curious, and devoted to Born Free, its Mission, and its followers.
- In tune with current trends
- Comprehensive, nuanced understanding of all social platforms, including emerging creative sensibility and a keen eye for look and feel
- Work with the Social Media Manager’s analysis of data to maximise engagement of visual content
- Highly-motivated self-starter; capable of working independently, yet collaboratively, within a fast-paced environment.
- Quick-thinking, agile, creative, hands-on, resilient, stress-tolerant, problem-solver.
Required Skills
- Adobe Creative Cloud including excellent skills in Premier Pro (After Effects a bonus)
- Ability to create engaging and highly visual content that tells a story and drives engagement, from our archive of video and photography, or filming on phone or DJI Osmo.
- A strong understanding of social media video strategies
- A genuine curiosity and interest in both current affairs, wildlife related news, and sector-wide developments.
- A solid understanding of the use of a range of social media platforms, particularly in relation to advertising/branding and customers.
- Knowledge and understanding of algorithms and search engine optimisation.
- Strong communication and people skills for articulating ideas to colleagues and the wider organisation.
- Excellent teamworking, collaboration and networking skills.
Further Information:
Note: This job description outlines the roles, duties, and responsibilities of the post. It is not intended to detail all specific tasks. Born Free reserves the right to alter the content of this job description to reflect the changing needs of the organisation but is a correct reflection of the main duties of the post at the time of writing. Please note this role will require working outside of normal working hours from time to time.
Our excellent benefits package includes opportunities for continuous professional learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, working from home with regular team meetings to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, wellbeing support, and a competitive pension.
The closing date for applications is 17.00 on Friday 1st November 2024.
Interviews will be scheduled to take place week commencing 11th November on Teams.
If you do not receive an invitation for an interview by the 8th November 2024 then you have unfortunately not been shortlisted. Thank you for your interest.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
Born Free is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. We welcome requests for flexible working.
Born Free politely requests no contact from recruitment agencies or media sales. We do not accept speculative CVs from recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
Engagement Manager
Fixed Term Contract ending 30/09/2026
Job Ref: V525
Hours/Days per week: 21 hours per week – (Flexible days/hours)
Salary: £25000 pro Rota plus attractive employee benefits package
Start date: ASAP
Location: Homebased (with extensive travel throughout Blaenau Gwent)
Closing date: 4th November 2024
Interview date and Location: WC 11th November. Likely to be on teams TBC
Volunteering Matters
At Volunteering Matters we use volunteering’s unique power to bring people together and build stronger, more resilient communities across the UK.
We bring people together to resolve some of society’s most complex issues. From social isolation and loneliness; improving health and wellbeing; building skills, confidence, and opportunity; to ensuring young people can become change makers in their community, the impact that we make is great. And we won’t stop until everyone in the UK has the opportunity to thrive.
People-led and impact driven, we are a national charity that is deeply embedded in local areas across the UK. We operate in five regions: London and the South East; Wales and the West of England; East of England; the Midlands and North West England; and Scotland and North East England. We also have an Employee Volunteering Team with over 25 years’ experience, acting as a broker to provide tailor-made solutions to employers. We turn local knowledge and energy into action and progress, building stronger communities and a better future for all.
This is an exciting time to be joining the team. We’re changing the way we work to meet new ambitions and make sure our impact continues to grow alongside out business.
Add role purpose, duties, location etc.
Volunteering Friends is our new, National Lottery Community Fund project, which builds on our existing work in Blaenau Gwent. By harnessing the power of volunteers, the project will work with older people (50+) living in Blaenau Gwent who are experiencing feelings of loneliness and/or isolation, and provide companionship, confidence building and encourage involvement in their local community. The project will consist of three interlinking strands: one-to-one befriending, delivered in the person’s home or over the telephone; community buddying, providing support to attend community groups; and the establishment of volunteer-led group activities for beneficiaries to attend based on local needs and interests.
Key Duties:
- Recruit, interview, induct, train and support volunteers.
- Work closely with partners/referral agencies and funders to ensure a steady flow of participants into the projects.
- Manage the matching/placement process of volunteers and participants, setting up and supporting new activities where appropriate.
- Be responsible for project compliance, carrying out risk assessments for volunteer activity and regularly reviewing, including safeguarding arrangements.
- Ensure monitoring evidence and impact data is collected to measure progress against agreed outcomes.
- Provide administrative support for the project where required, processing volunteer expenses and maintaining databases.
- Promote the project through a range of techniques, instigating interest in volunteering and encouraging engagement.
- Maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and project partners on a day-to-day basis.
- Prepare reports to Delivery Leader and Project Manager based on agreed outputs and targets.
- Manage your own time and diary effectively, and in line with the needs of the project.
- Liaise regularly with the Project Manager and project delivery colleagues.
- Play an active role in identifying and developing new business.
- Contribute to joint working and teamwork across Volunteering Matters.
Experience/Skills and attributes:
- Experience of working with older people.
- Experience of managing and working with volunteers, and the ability to motivate and engage them.
- Experience of working in partnership with other agencies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise a demanding workload and work under pressure and to deadlines.
- Ability to assess risk and carrying out risk assessments.
- Evidence of good administrative and IT skills and the ability to maintain project monitoring, administrative and financial records.
- Understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Understanding of and commitment to Data Protection and confidentiality.
Desirables:
Ability to speak Welsh or a willingness to learn.
Qualifications:
Relevant experience and values alignment is more important for this role than specific qualifications.
Other:
Location: This role is homebased and will involve extensive travel throughout Blaenau Gwent. The postholder will require good internet access to enable remote working, and a suitable home office space. IT equipment and infrastructure will be supplied.
This role requires enhanced DBS clearance.
Our Values & Way of Working:
In all that we do, we embrace a philosophy of ‘Freedom within a Framework’ and are guided by our values: Empowering, Inclusive, Compassionate, Positive & Straightforward.
This job description is intended to include the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor exclusive but while some variations will be expected, these will be at an appropriate level for the role.
Diversity & Inclusion
Volunteering Matters welcomes all applicants and are keen to ensure our team reflects the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We encourage applications from disabled, LGBT and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, along with candidates with any protected characteristics and from disadvantaged groups.
Disability Confident & Reasonable Adjustments:
We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role. Please provide evidence in your application, which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required in the “Experience/Skills” section of this advert. To be considered for a guaranteed interview or to discuss any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We have also committed to the following pledges which positively encompass our recruitment and selection processes and methodology: The Promise, Show The Salary, Salary History.
Benefits
Our employee benefits reflect our culture which is built on an approach of full flexibility with accountability, and designed to let you make your most positive contribution; we offer Flexible Working by Default (re hours & place of work), Unlimited Annual Leave, Employee Pension scheme, Life Assurance, Cycle to Work Scheme, Season Ticket Loan, Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced sick and family leave. We are also open to discuss job share applications.
GDPR Statement
If you apply for a role with us, we will retain your contact details including your name, address, email address and phone number to help us manage your application for up to 6 months. We will not use your personal data for any other purpose or share it with any third party. You can contact us at any point to update your personal information or ask us to delete it from our records.
We turn local knowledge into action by working with volunteers and partners across the UK to build stronger communities for all.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are looking for a passionate and experienced Horticultural Therapist with a track record of coordinating inclusive gardening sessions for the local community.
You will be responsible for supporting people to work towards their goals in a garden setting and developing people's practical and social skills.
You will also have the opportunity to help maintain and develop a beautiful, versatile garden alongside a small and supportive team.
Salary: £25,650 - £28,500 (pro rata rate £15,383 -£17,100) Depending on skills and experience
Hours: 3 days per week including Wednesdays and Thursdays with some weekend and evening work required. Hours have potential to increase subject to funding.
Main purposes of the job:
To facilitate therapeutic placements for people with learning disabilities, mental ill health and long-term health conditions, and complex needs using social and therapeutic horticulture principles, currently held on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
To involve the diverse local community of Hackney and neighbouring boroughs in activities at St Mary’s Secret Garden through participation in accredited training programmes, therapeutic groups, and volunteering activities with an emphasis on individuals and communities who may otherwise be excluded.
To use horticulture and other knowledge relating to growing and caring for plants, nature conservation, garden maintenance and landscaping to engage with people, encourage learning and promote health and wellbeing.
To promote the social care aspects of horticulture to community groups, local statutory services and individuals in the London borough of Hackney and beyond.
To work flexibly within our small team to support each other, to assist with the physical maintenance and general organisation of St Mary’s Secret Garden ensuring that the garden is open and accessible to the wider local community.
To be proactive in the development of St Mary’s Secret Garden as a resource for the local community.
If you think this is the role for you please download our full application pack and follow the instructions closely to apply.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the role
Our highest impact projects rely on experts from specialists from a range of disciplines both inside and outside of JRF working together effectively.
In this role, you will lead on creating environments that enables multidisciplinary project teams to succeed in their goals.
You will apply the most relevant delivery and project management tools and techniques to the work of project teams to deliver strategic projects that are a high priority to the organisation’s mission and lead on sharing this learning within the Core Team and wider.
As a member of our internal resources team, you will provide critical administrative and logistical support to the projects in their portfolio (including proposing ways of working, tools and techniques of delivery management that work best for the project team), such as the organisation and delivery of roundtables and internal workshops, scheduling and taking notes at project meetings, co-ordination of open tender processes or other initiatives crucial to moving a project forward.
You will also line-manage two Delivery & Partnership Leads, maintaining an overview of workloads to inform the Head of Core Team on resource planning and management.
About you
The role is ideal for someone with strong project and/or delivery management skills who is passionate about JRF’s mission and committed to contributing to social change.
You must be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment, and be a team player who can build strong and effective personal relationships across JRF as well as externally.
We’re looking for someone with:
- Demonstrable working knowledge of various delivery and project management tools and techniques.
- Good understanding of poverty-related issues and JRF’s strategy
- Extensive experience of delivering complex projects simultaneously including clear understanding of financial processes and budget tracking.
- Demonstrable experience of leading on managing relationships and negotiations about resource allocation including excellent influencing and persuasive and diplomacy skills.
- Experience of proactively spotting emerging issues and working autonomously to manage them effectively with the ability to problem-solve
- Track record of being an excellent team player and actively leading and contributing to team objectives.
- Experience of building and managing ad hoc project teams to work effectively.
- Oversight of multiple workstreams for teams across the organisation and leading on ways of working across these.
- Significant experience in managing multiple stakeholders ensuring appropriate communication and engagement.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Social Media Officer
Location: Flexible remote (with monthly meetings / team days at our office in Horsham, West Sussex) with a requirement to attend events in person
Salary: £28,000 per annum FTE
Level Grade 4 and B
Part-time: 21 hours per week (to include Tuesday)
Contract: Part-time, Permanent
Who is Born Free?
Born Free is a UK registered charity that works tirelessly to ensure that all wild animals, whether living in captivity or in the wild, are treated with compassion and respect, and are able to live their lives according to their needs. We oppose the exploitation of wild animals in captivity and campaign to keep them where they belong – in the wild.
About This Opportunity
Are you excited about incredible content and the reaction it gets from an audience? Do you know what works, what doesn’t, and why? Do you thrive by creating engaging stories? Do you understand strategy for social and best practices on how to bring it to life? Do you know how to harness and amplify a brand message to create authentic experiences and interactions with our community?
We are looking to recruit a Social Media Officer who can take our captivating stories, spanning nearly 40 years of conservation and wild animal welfare, and deliver them to today’s diverse audiences in exciting, creative and contemporary ways, engaging people of all ages.
Under the leadership of the Digital Marketing Lead, working alongside the Creative Content Officer and with the support of the Communications Officer, you’ll deliver the workplans to the Digital Marketing strategy, develop and deliver all Born Free’s social media communications, including – but not limited to – fundraising appeals, adoption stories, stories from the field, including conservation and animal rescue and relocation, and news stories from the policy team.
You will have the incredible opportunity to translate our powerful narrative, outstanding achievements, and ambitious plans to all touchpoints on social, working directly with our programmatic and marketing teams and the Co-Founder. You'll build and grow our engagement and conversions by tailoring content to our different audiences.
Working alongside our external agency and the Digital Marketing Lead, you will also be proactively engaged in our paid social activity.
The Social Media Officer will need to have the energy and hands-on attitude to thrive in a lean, fast-paced environment with strong focus on outstanding content, accuracy and performance. This role requires a truly collaborative approach, embracing all aspects of the Foundation’s overall work, and an understanding of how your work affects, and is affected by, the work of everyone around you.
Responsibilities & Duties
- Working under the direction of the Digital Marketing Lead, design and deliver creative and engaging social media plans
- Ideate, curate and collate holistic content that reflects the history and diversity of Born Free, tailored to the interests of our followers, harnessing the unique aspects of each platform.
- Schedule content on Sprout Social
- Ensure content is adapted / suitable for specific channels / audiences
- Monitor, track, analyse and report on performance on social media platforms using tools such as Sprout Social, Google Analytics and Facebook Insights and recommend improvements to increase performance.
- Identify consumer trends to help with planning social media campaigns.
- Optimise content to further encourage community interaction and engagement.
- Research and evaluate the latest tools and techniques in order to find new and better ways of measuring social media activity.
- Analyse competitor activity.
- Set targets to increase brand awareness and increase customer engagement and loyalty.
- Create a flexible, proactive and reactive content calendar for all social that enhances the broader programmatic, marketing and leadership plans.
- Ensure that the BFF’s brand is consistent across every platform
- Live and breathe our brand voice and style guides, and continue to develop them through content, alongside our creative team.
- Assist with content creation where needed (e.g. other staff on leave)
- Respond to social media community
- Track, analyse and share KPI reports to optimise content performance and audience growth, and take advantage of opportunities, and adjust or pivot strategies, tactics and content development as needed.
Our Ideal Candidate
- Lives and breathes social – thrives on creating content and communications that genuinely connect with audiences.
- Inclusive, creative, courageous, discerning, curious, and devoted to Born Free, its Mission, and its followers.
- University degree in marketing or related subject or, a minimum of 3 years in a similar role, with a proven track record.
- Strong writing and editorial skills with utmost attention to detail.
- Comprehensive, nuanced understanding of all social platforms, including emerging creative sensibility and a keen eye for look and feel; editorial storytelling experiences a big plus.
- Results-driven with the ability to analyse data and deduce implications for social and engagement strategies.
- Highly-motivated self-starter; capable of working independently, yet collaboratively, within a fast-paced environment.
- Quick-thinking, agile, creative, hands-on, resilient, stress-tolerant, problem-solver.
Required Skills
- Social media-focused technologies and apps, with an eye on what is emerging as well as attention to what currently exists, including Sprout Social, or similar scheduling software.
- A genuine curiosity and interest in both current affairs, wildlife related news, and sector-wide developments.
- Ability to create engaging visual content as needed
- A solid understanding of the use of a range of social media platforms
- Strong copywriting and editing skills suitable for each platform, from knowing how to write a successful X post to using effective storytelling techniques.
- Knowledge and understanding of algorithms and search engine optimisation.
- Creative skills for contributing new and innovative ideas.
- Strong communication and people skills for articulating ideas to colleagues and the wider organisation.
- Excellent teamworking, collaboration and networking skills.
- This role will have a duty for safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons in relation to online activity and will be required to adhere to all Born Free policies in relation to safeguarding, including participation in specific safeguarding training sessions.
Further Information:
Note: This job description outlines the roles, duties, and responsibilities of the post. It is not intended to detail all specific tasks. Born Free reserves the right to alter the content of this job description to reflect the changing needs of the organisation but is a correct reflection of the main duties of the post at the time of writing. Please note this role will require working outside of normal working hours from time to time.
Our excellent benefits package includes opportunities for continuous professional learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, working from home with regular team meetings to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, wellbeing support, and a competitive pension.
The closing date for applications is 17.00 on Friday 1st November 2024.
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert at any time.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
Born Free is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. We welcome requests for flexible working.
Born Free politely requests no contact from recruitment agencies or media sales. We do not accept speculative CVs from recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Peer Support Development Officer – Greater London
About Kinship:
Kinship is the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We offer kinship carers financial, legal, practical and emotional support and understanding from the moment they need it, for as long as they need it. Our expert advice, information and guidance helps with complicated and stressful decisions that so many kinship families have to make. We are always there to support them through challenging times and celebrate the good.
Kinship carers are strong and determined. Together, they are powerful. We help them build communities of support and action by connecting families locally and across England and Wales.
We are at the heart of kinship networks, partnering with and influencing service providers, local and national government and other organisations. We give everything we have to fight for each family and their rights, changing society until every kinship family is recognised, valued and supported.
Kinship care often begins in crisis. A child has parents who are unable to care for them, for whatever reason. It can be frightening, confusing and heart-breaking.
Instinctively, a loved one steps in – a grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or family friend. They are now a kinship carer, bringing up the children they love. There is often no chance to prepare. Plans may be pushed aside. Relationships, jobs and savings are frequently sacrificed.
It is life changing and challenging raising children who have been hurt or neglected, but kinship carers do it anyway because they put the children first.
We know how hard life can be for kinship carers, but we have seen the amazing things they are capable of, with someone by their side. With the right support, children raised in kinship families can flourish.
That is why we support, connect and campaign – to keep kinship families stronger by keeping them together.
About the Team
The Peer Support and Community team at Kinship is dedicated to enhancing the lives of kinship carers across England and Wales by delivering the first national peer support service. With a focus on building and sustaining networks of peer support groups, the team aims to empower kinship carers through access to resources, training, and development opportunities.
By fostering connections within local, regional, and national ecosystems, the team plays a vital role in ensuring that every kinship carer has access to a supportive community.
As part of our commitment to growth and impact, the team develops innovative approaches to peer support, creating an inclusive environment where kinship carers can share experiences and access essential services. We prioritize collaboration across various departments, ensuring that support group leaders receive high-quality advice and training, facilitating their sustainability and effectiveness. This integrated approach also includes alignment with national and local campaigning efforts to further engage and support the kinship carer community.
In line with our strategic focus on cultivating a vibrant Kinship Community of over 10,000 carers, the team leads initiatives aimed at enhancing community connection and empowering kinship families. By developing a robust model of community engagement that encompasses both in-person and digital services, the team aims to amplify the voices of kinship carers, enabling them to effect meaningful change in their lives and communities.
About the role
This role is community-based and focuses on engaging kinship carers, bringing them together to form Peer Support Groups, and supporting them to achieve independence at which point they will receive ongoing support from our national Hub.
You will do this by working with local authorities, schools, other charities and community groups. Arranging information events such as coffee mornings to engage kinship carers. You’ll create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community for kinship carers, building belonging, resilience, and empowerment.
Funded by the Department of Education, the National Peer Support Service is a game-changing service that creates a sustainable and life-changing legacy. It builds on Kinship’s 10 years of experience in developing peer support groups and two years of delivering a national service that has set up 145 new groups.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking an individual located in Greater London, who possesses the drive, passion, and skills to:
- Develop new Peer Support Groups across a diverse range of communities
- Demonstrate the energy and enthusiasm required to achieve key targets and objectives
- Work collaboratively within the Peer Support and Community Team, as well as throughout the broader organisation, to ensure the development of safe and effective support services for the kinship community.
- Maintain current Peer Support Group levels, taking the lead from the national Hub.
- Maintain accurate records that are used to populate reports, identify learning and share key insights across Kinship that allow the organisation to continuously improve our services and products.
You should have experience in developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with various community-based stakeholders such as local authorities, health services, schools, charities, and kinship carers. You will need to understand the key success factors involved in establishing and developing new in-person groups in areas of high need, as well as how to support existing groups in their journey towards sustainability.
As a practical thinker, you will work creatively to identify stakeholders and assets in areas of high need. You will build local connections and bring together kinship carers across the region, empowering them to build resilient and robust peer support communities.
You will be confident in building relationships that generate referrals from external stakeholders and in contacting kinship carers directly to secure engagement with local coffee mornings, community, and training events that will help kick-start a thriving peer support group.
As you establish new groups, you will provide support and training to help them lead their groups effectively, and develop their group culture, resilience, and skills to function independently while offering reassurance and support to empower them.
We are ideally looking for candidates based in or around Greater London and willing to work initially across London Boroughs. This role may involve work to establish groups on the periphery of this area that currently have no dedicated Development staff.
An essential requirement of the role is to be a driver with access to a vehicle for work purposes.
Key responsibilities:
Service delivery:
- In-person (face-to-face) strategic outreach into local communities including setting up and attending local engagement events.
- Set up and develop sustainable in person peer support groups, initially attending and leading sessions in person before transition to self-sufficiency.
- Working with existing groups that are at risk, closed or need support that need replacing or rejuvenating to maintain DfE service level agreement, in addition to new groups. Targets are subject to change and are not fixed.
- Recruit and retain support group leaders to develop their peer support groups.
- Assist with the delivery of training to support group leaders and groups to become self-sufficient.
- Develop strong boundaried and positive relationships with support group leaders – building resilience, empowerment and community.
- Support established groups (including independent) in your area to access support group leader networks and training (this includes visiting groups in person) to build a peer community.
- Follow (and where appropriate support further development off) the service blueprint to develop sustainable peer support groups.
- Collaborate with the Peer Support Hub team to provide a joined-up and positive user experience for kinship carers.
- Manage special interest groups and regional online groups as required, transitioning to ‘Hub’ team for sustainability and work with partners.
Service quality, development and data management:
- Accurately record all recruitment, contact information and volunteer case management in Salesforce in line with service framework and data protection requirements.
- Ensure accurate data entry in Salesforce to support service performance, evaluation and learning.
- Provide regular reports to ensure targets and SLA are met for the service.
- Support continuous development and improvement of the service (new systems and processes) as required.
Team culture:
- Act in the best interest of Kinship and the families we support.
- Maintain and contribute up to date understanding of kinship care.
- Deliver effective administration with attention to detail and keeping to deadlines.
- Identify and contribute to appropriate case studies to demonstrate the impact of Kinship services and contribute to policy and campaigns work.
- Actively contribute to delivering and evidencing a high performing service.
- Take responsibility for your ongoing continued professional development.
- Work in line with the Kinship values.
Knowledge, abilities, skills and experience (person spec):
Essential:
· Proven experience in reaching and establishing strong relationships with hidden or underserved communities in person.
· Significant experience developing peer support communities.
· Proven experience of recruiting, managing, training and supporting volunteers in community settings with an emphasis on understanding and working with vulnerable volunteers.
· Proven experience of ensuring outcomes and impacts of services are evidenced through high-quality data collection.
· Evidence of developing and delivering training/support to volunteers, based on the needs of service users (in this case kinship carers).
· Strong facilitation skills and essential experience of peer support or user-led groups with charity beneficiaries.
· Proven experience of using a customer relationship management system effectively (we use Salesforce).
· In-depth understanding of safeguarding particularly around vulnerable families.
· Excellent communication and engagement skills, with good attention to detail.
Desirable:
· Lived experience of kinship care.
· Understanding of children’s social care.
· Digital community building (Facebook / WhatsApp etc).
· Full, clean driving licence/own car.
General characteristics and attributes:
· Flexible and willing to travel for work across England.
· Commitment to the values, aims and objectives of Kinship.
· A real commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion within your role and a respectful approach to working with people from a range of backgrounds.
· Excellent written and spoken English.
· Permission to work in the UK.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion. We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams. We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us.
Candidate Application Information
Please refer to the Job Description for this role to check that you meet the criteria necessary for the job. Closing and Interview details are:
Closing date: 1 November 2024 12:00 pm
Interviews: Week Commencing 4 November
We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the stated deadline.
We will guarantee interviews to any candidates with experience of kinship care (either of being in kinship care or of being a kinship carer) who demonstrate they meet the essential skills and experience outlined.
Please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application. If you have a disability, which you would like us to consider, please tell us about this when you apply.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion. We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams. We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us.
Candidate Application Information
Please refer to the Job Description for this role to check that you meet the criteria necessary for the job. Closing and Interview details are:
Closing date: 1 November 2024 12:00 pm
Interviews: Week Commencing 4 November
We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the stated deadline.
We will guarantee interviews to any candidates with experience of kinship care (either of being in kinship care or of being a kinship carer) who demonstrate they meet the essential skills and experience outlined.
Please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application. If you have a disability, which you would like us to consider, please tell us about this when you apply. Please let us know if we can help and remember that you can request information in large print or in a different format.
We support kinship carers in their homes and communities, giving advice and helping them work through problems to find the best way forward.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Senior Peer Support Development Officer – North West
About Kinship:
Kinship is the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We offer kinship carers financial, legal, practical and emotional support and understanding from the moment they need it, for as long as they need it. Our expert advice, information and guidance helps with complicated and stressful decisions that so many kinship families have to make. We are always there to support them through challenging times and celebrate the good.
Kinship carers are strong and determined. Together, they are powerful. We help them build communities of support and action by connecting families locally and across England and Wales.
We are at the heart of kinship networks, partnering with and influencing service providers, local and national government and other organisations. We give everything we have to fight for each family and their rights, changing society until every kinship family is recognised, valued and supported.
Kinship care often begins in crisis. A child has parents who are unable to care for them, for whatever reason. It can be frightening, confusing and heart-breaking.
Instinctively, a loved one steps in – a grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or family friend. They are now a kinship carer, bringing up the children they love. There is often no chance to prepare. Plans may be pushed aside. Relationships, jobs and savings are frequently sacrificed.
It is life changing and challenging raising children who have been hurt or neglected, but kinship carers do it anyway because they put the children first. We know how hard life can be for kinship carers, but we have seen the amazing things they are capable of, with someone by their side. With the right support, children raised in kinship families can flourish.
That is why we support, connect and campaign – to keep kinship families stronger by keeping them together.
About the Team
The Peer Support and Community team at Kinship is dedicated to enhancing the lives of kinship carers across England and Wales by delivering the first national peer support service. With a focus on building and sustaining networks of peer support groups, the team aims to empower kinship carers through access to resources, training, and development opportunities.
By fostering connections within local, regional, and national ecosystems, the team plays a vital role in ensuring that every kinship carer has access to a supportive community.
As part of our commitment to growth and impact, the team develops innovative approaches to peer support, creating an inclusive environment where kinship carers can share experiences and access essential services. We prioritize collaboration across various departments, ensuring that support group leaders receive high-quality advice and training, facilitating their sustainability and effectiveness. This integrated approach also includes alignment with national and local campaigning efforts to further engage and support the kinship carer community.
In line with our strategic focus on cultivating a vibrant Kinship Community of over 10,000 carers, the team leads initiatives aimed at enhancing community connection and empowering kinship families. By developing a robust model of community engagement that encompasses both in-person and digital services, the team aims to amplify the voices of kinship carers, enabling them to effect meaningful change in their lives and communities.
About the role
This role is community-based and focuses on engaging kinship carers, bringing them together to form Peer Support Groups, and supporting them to achieve independence at which point they will receive ongoing support from our national Hub. You will do this by working with local authorities, schools, other charities and community groups. Arranging information events such as coffee mornings to engage kinship carers. You’ll create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community for kinship carers, building belonging, resilience, and empowerment. Funded by the Department of Education, the National Peer Support Service is a game-changing service that creates a sustainable and life-changing legacy. It builds on Kinship’s 10 years of experience in developing peer support groups and two years of delivering a national service that has set up 145 new groups.
Who we are looking for:
We are seeking an individual located in or around Greater Manchester, and willing to travel across the North West of England who possesses the drive, passion, and skills to:
· Establish new Peer Support Groups across a diverse range of communities
· Supervise a small team of Peer Support Development Officers
· Demonstrate the energy and enthusiasm required to inspire yourself and your team to achieve key targets and objectives
· Work collaboratively within the Peer Support and Community Team, as well as throughout the broader organisation, to ensure the delivery of safe and effective support services for the kinship community.
· Maintain current Peer Support Groups, taking the lead from the national Hub.
· Maintain accurate records that are used to populate reports, identify learning and share key insights across Kinship that allow the organisation to continuously improve our services and products.
In the role of Senior Peer Support Officer, you will be instrumental in ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, consistent, and sustainable peer support service that has a significant impact on the lives of kinship carers.
You should have experience in developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with various community-based stakeholders such as local authorities, health services, schools, charities, and kinship carers. You will need to understand the key success factors involved in establishing and developing new in-person groups in areas of high need, as well as how to support existing groups in their journey towards sustainability.
As a practical thinker, you will work creatively to identify stakeholders and assets in areas of high need. You will build local connections and bring together kinship carers across the region, empowering them to build resilient and robust peer support communities.
You will be confident in building relationships that generate referrals from external stakeholders and in contacting kinship carers directly to secure engagement with local coffee mornings, community, and training events that will help kick start a thriving peer support group.
As you establish new groups, you will provide training to help them lead their groups effectively, and develop their group culture, resilience, and skills to function independently while offering reassurance and support to empower them.
You will be an inspirational and energetic team leader with experience in providing day-to-day line management and operational support for a small team.
We are ideally looking for candidates based in or around Greater Manchester but willing to work initially across the whole of the North West. This role may involve working to establish groups in West Yorkshire and into North Staffordshire.
A valid driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes are essential, as this role may require travel across London and its periphery to reach areas in need of dedicated support.
Key responsibilities:
Service delivery:
- In person (face-to-face) strategic outreach into local and regional communities including setting up and attending local engagement events.
- Work creatively to set up and develop new sustainable in peer support groups, attending up to six sessions in person (if needed) before transition to self-sufficiency. Existing groups that are at risk, closed or need support will need replacing or rejuvenating to maintain DfE service level agreements across the team, in addition to new groups.
- Recruit and retain support group leaders to develop their peer support groups.
- Deliver training to support group leaders (group roles and responsibilities, safeguarding, setting up, running and promoting a group).
- Develop strong boundaries and positive relationships with support group leaders – building resilience, empowerment and community.
- Support established groups in your area to access support group leader networks and training (this includes visiting groups in person) to build a peer community.
- Help develop and deliver a service blueprint for sustainable peer support groups, thinking strategically about how to develop groups.
- You'll collaborate closely with the ‘Hub’ team to provide a joined up and positive user experience for kinship carers. This collaborative approach is key to our success and ensures that kinship carers receive the best possible support.
- Manage special interest groups and regional online groups as required, transitioning to ‘Hub’ team for sustainability and work with partners.
Service quality, development and data management:
- Accurately record all recruitment, contact information and volunteer case management in Salesforce in line with service framework and data protection requirements.
- Ensure accurate data entry in Salesforce to support service performance, evaluation and learning.
- Provide regular reports to ensure targets and SLA are met for the service.
- Support continuous development and improvement of the service (new systems and processes) as required.
Management and supervision:
- Inspire, motivate and be responsible for day-to-day line management and supervising up to 4 staff members
- Oversee tactical development of new sustainable groups in your area and your team.
- Help set clear objectives to achieve targets and outcomes.
- Actively encourage personal development and learning.
- Increase efficiencies and impact across the team.
- Ensure good team induction processes and systems are in place.
- Role model Kinship values.
Team culture:
- Act in the best interest of Kinship and the families we support.
- Maintain and contribute up to date understanding of kinship care.
- Deliver effective administration with attention to detail and keeping to deadlines.
- Identify and contribute to appropriate case studies to demonstrate the impact of Kinship services and contribute to policy and campaigns work.
- Actively contribute to delivering and evidencing a high performing service.
- Take responsibility for your ongoing continued professional development.
- Work in line with the Kinship values.
Knowledge, abilities, skills and experience (person spec):
Essential:
- Experience of team leadership or line management and supervision of a small team and managing performance to deliver targets effectively.
- Proven experience in reaching and establishing strong relationships with hidden or underserved communities in person.
- Experience developing peer support communities.
- Proven experience of recruiting, managing, training and supporting volunteers in community settings with an emphasis on understanding and working with vulnerable volunteers.
- Proven experience of ensuring outcomes and impacts of services is evidenced through high-quality data collection.
- Evidence of delivering training/support to volunteers,
- Strong facilitation skills and essential experience of peer support or user led groups with charity beneficiaries.
- Understanding of safeguarding particularly around vulnerable families.
- Excellent communication and engagement skills, with good attention to detail.
- Full driving licence and use of a car for work purposes.
Desirable:
· Lived experience of kinship care.
· Understanding of children’s social care.
· Digital community building (Facebook / WhatsApp etc).
· Full, clean driving licence/own car.
General characteristics and attributes:
· Flexible and willing to travel for work across England and Wales.
· Drive and have access to a vehicle.
· Commitment to the values, aims and objectives of Kinship.
· A real commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion within your role and a respectful approach to working with people from a range of backgrounds.
· Good standard of written and spoken English.
· Permission to work in the UK.
· Able to remain focused on the primary task of establishing new peer support groups, ensuring that more kinship carers have access to high-quality peer support.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion. We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams. We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us.
Candidate Application Information
Please refer to the Job Description for this role to check that you meet the criteria necessary for the job. Closing date and interview details:
Closing date: 1 November 2024 12:00 pm
Interviews: 1st Interview Week Commencing 4 November
2nd Interview Week Commencing 11 November
We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the stated deadline.
We will guarantee interviews to any candidates with experience of kinship care (either of being in kinship care or of being a kinship carer) who demonstrate they meet the essential skills and experience outlined.
Please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application. If you have a disability, which you would like us to consider, please tell us about this when you apply. Please let us know if we can help and remember that you can request information in large print or in a different format.
We support kinship carers in their homes and communities, giving advice and helping them work through problems to find the best way forward.