Operations Officer (Newcastle/Northumberland/South Tyneside)

The vacancy

We help young people to build life-long belief in themselves, supporting them to take on their own challenges, follow their own passions and discover talents they never knew they had. Because when you prove yourself that you’re ready for anything nothing can hold you back.

Do you want to be part of that?

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is a world leading youth charity which gives young people the chance to develop skills for work and life.

Our structured programmes of volunteering, physical and skills-based challenges inspire, guide, and encourage young people to widen their experiences and learn new skills.

Through a licensing process, we partner with youth organisations and support them in their delivery of our programmes to their young people. These organisations range from schools and colleges to local authorities, charities, secure units, and community organisations.

Through our current five-year strategy Youth Without Limits, we are working to ensure the DofE is open to all young people aged 14-24 across the UK, and that our participants reflect the most diverse generation of young people ever.

What is the role?

This a 12 Month Maternity contract.

Working within our values and behavioural framework, the role involves closely managing the relationships of our partner organisations (known as Licensed Organisations – LOs) and ensuring those within your portfolio offer quality and inclusive DofE programmes to young people.

While managing these relationships across your portfolio area in Newcastle, Northumberland and South Tyneside, you will also identify and develop new relationships with appropriate educational and community organisations to widen the access of the DofE to young people, particularly those who experience marginalisation.

You will be undertaking regular meetings, in person and virtually, engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders at different levels within different organisations across your portfolio area. When not out at meetings, you will be working from home.

Whilst you won’t be working directly with young people, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are having a positive impact on their future opportunities.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a team player who has a passion for the development of young people and who will be enthusiastic, who can engage and influence a variety of stakeholders and who will be an authentic ambassador for the DofE.

You will need to have good communication and interpersonal skills to engage with internal and external stakeholders and have the skills to inspire and influence them to enable young people to participate in DofE.

To undertake the role, you’ll need to be exceptionally organised, have the ability to prioritise your workload, meet deadlines and have excellent administrative skills, being both computer literate and competent in MS Office applications.

We are looking for someone who has a positive outlook and who will actively contribute to our team.

The role will be mixture of home based and field based. The successful application should live within, or very close to, the portfolio area of Newcastle, Northumberland and South Tyneside with a full driving/motorbike licence and access to a vehicle.

What will you get in return?

The opportunity to work for a successful and dynamic charity that has the development of young people at its heart and the wellbeing and development of its people constantly in focus.

You will be joining a team of empowered colleagues working together.

We offer excellent staff benefits including a generous pension contribution, an employee assistance programme, healthcare cash plan, life assurance and volunteer leave. Also, 25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays and an additional 3 days paid leave between Christmas and the New Year with the opportunity to buy additional annual leave, and access to many additional benefits.

How to apply

If you feel excited by this role and believe you have the necessary skills and experience to become a valued team member, please go to our website and apply.

The deadline for applying for this role is Midnight on Sunday 29th September 2024.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend an interview during the week commencing 7th October 2024.  Interviews will be held in person, venue TBC.

If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if would like any assistance that might help improve your experience while completing the application, please contact us.

The DofE are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.   All successful applicants will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. (e.g. DBS/PVG or similar), including references covering any gaps of employment/education, confirm eligibility to work in the UK and complete a health check.