Community Engagement Manager
Full time- 35 hrs per week
Salary circa: £30,000 pa
Shak (South Hampstead and Kilburn Community Partnership) is a resident led charity based on the iconic Alexandra and Ainsworth estate in the Kilburn ward of Camden NW London which is an area with high rates of deprivation and poverty but big potential. Our mission is to enable young people and adults to overcome barriers to economic and social inclusion. We engage with residents through a range of activities based at the SHELL Centre, a community resource centre, and the ARC youth club and music studio.
Shak is now looking to appoint a Community Engagement Manager to launch and lead an innovative Lottery funded project that puts residents at the heart of researching and meeting community needs. You will engage and support residents to conduct research around the themes of Routes to Employment, Using New Technologies, Basic Skill Gaps, Impact of Creative Activities and Local Heritage with results informing social action and new initiatives led and co-produced by project participants
The post holder will report to SHAK’s Director and head up small team comprising of a Well Being and Employment development worker and part-time Employability and Learning worker. You will also take responsibility for other associated contracts e.g. Health and Wellbeing and for the smooth running of The SHELL Centre where the team will be based. The SHELL centre was established in 2003 as a result of a regeneration project which saw it transformed from 2 disused estate laundry rooms and has a good record of engaging successfully with the local community.
To apply
First check the job description and person specification below and then if you feel you have the skills to fit the role contact us for an application pack by one of the following methods:
Email- or call on 020 73729249 leaving contact details.
Closing date: 28/02/2017
Interviews will be held week beginning 06/03/2017
SHAK Community Engagement Manager: Job description
To deliver, manage and develop SHAK community engagement and social action projects in particular Big Lottery Reaching Communities “Living and Learning Together” project, by:
● promoting the project and engaging beneficiaries with the project
● recruiting volunteers to form part of special interest working groups to work around topics of Unemployment, Basic skills, New technologies, Creative Activities and Community archive identified as priorities by the local community.
● co-ordinating, delivering training and facilitating working groups to:
− undertake community research, identifying community skills, assets, issues, needs and aspirations
− compile and share the research findings with varied audiences
− co-design, develop and deliver social action projects based on the research findings
− engage a wider group of people in the social action projects, ensuring the project is inclusive and reflects the needs and interests of diverse groups
− build links with other groups and agencies, liaising with interested groups and individuals to set up new activities
− evaluate, evidence and review project outcomes
● mediating where tensions arise, where necessary challenging inappropriate behaviour
● managing, supporting and motivating volunteers and supporting volunteer progression
● working with Director and Finance worker to manage budgets
● preparing regular monitoring reports
● overseeing project evaluations
Manage support staff: Head up a team comprising Well being and Employment post and part-time Employment and learning worker, working closely with Director to ensure project outcomes are met and funding contracts fulfilled.
Responsible for smooth running of our community resource centre (Shell centre) e.g. day to day management, ensuring supplies are ordered, faults reported and environment is clean and safe
Work with SHAK's Director to strengthen resident input into SHAK's forward strategy and plans
Assist with enterprise development/income generation to help achieve the aims and aspirations of the special interest working groups.
Deputise for the Director as required.
SHAK Community Engagement Manager Person specification
Essential / DesirableKnowledge/Qualifications:
● A degree/HND or equivalent professional qualification/experience / ● A degree/HND in social sciences and/or a relevant postgraduate qualification
● Knowledge and understanding of community and social issues, including issues faced in areas of multiple deprivation / ● Understanding of issues faced in areas of multiple deprivation based on lived experience
● Practical knowledge and understanding of community development practices, principles and values. In particular experience of community research techniques, engagement, co-production, evaluation and sustainability / ● Knowledge and experience of using “participatory appraisal” research techniques
● Awareness of safeguarding, health and safety policy and procedure
● Experience of group engagement techniques and facilitating learning in community settings / ● Teaching qualification e.g. DTTLS
Skills/Abilities
● Excellent speaking, writing and listening skills, both one-to-one and with larger audiences
● Ability to relate to, and work with, people from a wide range of backgrounds in a respectful and empowering way
● Excellent team building and group work skills
● Ability to manage multiple priorities
● Creative thinking and problem-solving ability
● Strong organisational, time and project management skills
● Proficient in microsoft office applications, and in use of social media
● Research and report-writing skills and the ability to interpret or present data
● A skilled negotiator, able to operate with tact and diplomacy and manage tensions between different personalities
Experience
● Track record of engaging individuals, families and /or communities and empowering them to:
− identify their assets, needs, opportunities, rights and responsibilities
− plan what they want to achieve and take appropriate action
− develop activities and services to generate aspiration and confidence. / ● Experience of supporting community research
● Track record of brokering links between communities and a range of partners to help communities achieve their aspirations / ● Experience of engaging diverse groups
● Proven track record of managing staff and volunteers / ● Experience of a range of engagement techniques
● Track record of successful funding applications and/or enterprise development
Personal qualities
● Self-starter, able to be pro-active and work on own initiative and as part of a team
● Adaptable: open to new learning and ideas and able to respond to new needs as they emerge.
● A non-judgemental, positive attitude, coupled with an ability to empathise with people's life experiences
● Strong commitment to identifying and overcoming barriers to equality and inclusion
● Resilience
Special Factors:
● Post holder should be prepared for some evening and weekend work.
● This post will require DBS check