Network Manager - Greater Manchester Homelessness Action Network

The GMHAN is now looking for a new Network Manager to bring together partners to work to drive action and make a difference. Two years ago, the network restructure and bought in a full-time network manager post, now funded by Greater Manchester Mayors Charity and the Lloyds Foundation.

Since this role was initially bought in, the network structure and funding as strengthened, however we are now looking for someone to play a key role in further developing the GMHAN’s strategic role across the region. This includes facilitating full network events, supporting systems change through our network task groups, driving the work of the coordination group and bringing new partners into the network.

This role will have some involvement in new funding applications for additional roles and will be the line manager for the network’s Lived Experience Co-ordinator post.

While the network has an already established structure, we are looking for someone who has their own ideas about how to mobilise partnership working and will feel confident brining their vision to the network, as well as challenging already established ideas.

If you are interested in delivering coproduction, bringing people together and driving change, then this is a great opportunity to build on your knowledge and develop your skills.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strengthening the Network

• Working to identify, connect with and involve individuals, organisations, communities, funders, and commissioners to help grow the membership of the network.
• Identifying opportunities for the network to influence systems change and mobilising the wider network to respond to these opportunities.
• Supporting the network’s task groups to work in an action focused way, by having strategic oversight of their work, linking them to opportunities and facilitating joined up working between the groups.
• Identifying funding opportunities to continue the work of the network and working with relevant partners to secure funding for the staff roles and other operational costs of the network.

Supporting Co-Production

• Encouraging and facilitating the involvement and leadership of people with personal insight into homelessness at every level by growing and supporting culture shift towards co-production.
• Line management of the network’s Lived Experience Coordinator and working with them give people with lived experience of homelessness opportunities to engage in the network

Communications

• Oversight of network comms to ensure key messages are communicated with the wider network. This includes sending regular newsletters, maintaining the network website and managing social media accounts.
• Coordinating and facilitating full network events, by identifying key contributors and supporting them to share their work.
• Representing the GMHAN at external events and in some cases presenting to a range of stakeholders about the structure and purpose of the network.

Other

• Have overall responsibility for monitoring and evaluation required for funders.
• Carry out other reasonable duties that may be required in the light of the main purpose of the job and as requested by your line manager.
• Follow GTM’s policies and procedures.

About the Greater Manchester Homeless Action Network

The Greater Manchester Homeless Action Network (GMHAN) is a cross-sector partnership that brings together everyone across Greater Manchester working to end rough sleeping and prevent homelessness. This includes a range of sectors and specialisms, such as charities, local authorities, housing providers, faith partners and people with lived experience of homelessness. The GMHAN aims to operate using the principles of co-production and community development, placing people with experience of homelessness in the lead. 

The work of the GMHAN seeks to add value to local networks and build connections at a GM level. This is done by connecting the many smaller local networks, with local and regional public and private sector bodies, including policy makers and politicians, to influence and design policies and programmes that affect the lives of those experiencing/at risk of experiencing homelessness. We do this through large in person events every 3 months aimed at co-designing Greater Manchester’s homelessness policy and showcasing best practice. Our network events focus on different themes (such as the criminal justice system or youth homelessness) and bring together people passionate about that area to share their experiences and form a collective voice to push for social change.

We also run three task groups- Learn, Lobby & Deliver. The groups are a space for action to happen outside of events, where people from all areas can come together to progress this work and identify areas where the network can influence change. All this work feeds into the GM Homelessness Programme Board, where key decisions are made.