Community Engagement Specialist

RESPONSIBILITIES  

Mobilising community groups  

1.       Build and maintain relationships with synagogues and denominations.  

2.       Work with clergy, synagogues and denominations to develop programmes and content related to refugees, asylum, social cohesion, and xenophobia, including a network of advocates and ambassadors within communities.  

3.       Develop outreach and recruitment pathways for community members to volunteer in HIAS+JCORE projects and beyond.   

4.       Develop and pilot a project of community-based volunteering, building relationships with sector partners and Jewish communities to support, resource, and network such groups.  

5.       Support the coordination between and development of local community projects that engage with asylum seekers and refugees, including Drop Ins, community sponsorship (Welcome Circles), and collections.  

6.       Where possible, foster interdenominational dialogue and interfaith partnerships.  

Developing and delivering our youth and student work  

1.       Work with youth movements, students, and community groups to develop programmes and content related to refugees, asylum, social cohesion, and xenophobia.  

2.       Arrange visits, including with speakers, to campuses and communities.  

3. Develop new and innovative programmes in national, campus-wide, and online contexts.  

Developing partnerships across the community  

1.       Developing relationships with organisations across the Jewish community.  

2.       Organise high quality, collaborative events, campaigns and projects, including developing both Refugee Shabbat and Refugee Week as key aspects of the communal calendar.  

3.       Bring together high-quality content for other Jewish community events and activities.  

4.       Build a network of skilled advocates for refugees and social cohesion.  

Administration and Evaluation  

1.       Work to develop a monitoring and evaluation framework for projects.  

2.       Provide regular reports for trustees and funders.   

3.       Work with HIAS+JCORE staff to secure funding for the project, such as through producing reports.  

4.       Keep accurate records, and working with HIAS+JCORE office staff to develop and update the CRM.  

Other Duties  

1.       Contribute to HIAS+JCORE communications and campaigns  

2.       Play a part in HIAS’s global commitment to community engagement  

3.       Attend regular team and supervision meetings   

4.       Other duties as required by your line manager  

ABOUT YOU  

•       Commitment to the organisation's mission, vision and values.  

•       Excellent knowledge of the Jewish community, including a solid understanding of synagogues, youth movements, and student culture in the UK.  

•       A good understanding of current issues affecting refugees and racial equality in the UK, and a willingness to learn.  

•       Excellent community organising and people skills.  

•       Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to speak in front of audiences.  

•       Self-starter that can work independently as well as the ability to work as part of a team.  

•       Good interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with people from a wide variety of ages and backgrounds.  

•       Willingness to work flexible hours and to travel overseas and within the UK.  

•       Ability to learn to use new types of technology including database systems and website content management systems.  

•       The patience to design programming that caters to the needs of a variety of stakeholders.  

Experience required  

•       A track record of successful projects engaging local Jewish communities.  

•       Experience running workshops and trainings.  

•       Experience of organising events.  

•       Experience of working with young people and volunteers, especially within youth settings within the Jewish community.  

•       Experience in budget and project management.