Regional Network Lead | North of England

Active Communities Network are launching a new project, The ACN Way, which will be delivered across the UK. This project is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund for five years starting October 1st 2024. The project will build a network of 500 groups that are better connected, unified and more vocal with the aim of being actively involved in decision making and are better understood by policy makers and commissioners.

The Regional Network Lead is a new post which will work with an array of Voluntary and Community Sector groups operating in North of England. The post will offer specialist mentoring to organisational leaders and capacity building services to improve the skills, confidence and positioning of an array of youth and community groups who lack a voice as well as supporting connections to others and broader systems.

The project aims to amplify these unheard groups who deliver such vital services. As part of a UK wide team, the post will contribute to working with strategic bodies, elected representatives and funders to create transformative system changes based on our locality and person-centred based approach.  The post holder is expected to provide their specialist support to 20 groups per annum in their region, developing organisational development action plans and leadership development.

Duties and Accountabilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with grassroots groups who join the network to ensure they are supported.
• Work alongside each grassroots group to develop tailored organisational development actions plans and leadership development. Working closely with the leadership of the group by providing specialist mentoring to identify areas where organisations can be supported with training and development.
• Organise network events within the region with the aim of expanding the network and connecting groups
• Manage multiple stakeholder relationships within the region with the ability to adapt to meet the needs of the stakeholder.
• Work with the wider UK team and organisational partners to ensure groups are provided with the best support suitable to them.
• Continuously working with local stakeholders to understand changes within the local landscape which might impact on network groups to allow support to be adapted as and when required.