JOB DESCRIPTION

POST:Project Coordinator–Golding Growing Buddy Programme

LOCATION:Maidstone

REPORTS TO:Head of Sustainable Communities

HOURS:10.5hours per week (1.5 days)

SALARY:£20,800 (pro rata – based on 35 hours)

TERM:Fixed term post until 31stApril2018.

Overall purpose: Growing Buddies are volunteers who are recruited, trained and supported to promote food growingin their local communities, and encourage others to get involved. The role of the Project Co-ordinatoris to co-ordinate Growing Buddyactivity, lead regular community growing sessions, provide qualitative and quantitative feedback/reports, promote the scheme and be responsible for the successful delivery of the Golding Growing Buddy programme.

Specific Duties

  • Responsible for planning and co-ordination of all project activities in line with the defined objectives and milestones.
  • Recruit volunteer Growing Buddies to support selected housing estates.
  • Manage the recruitment, co-ordination and delivery of the induction and in-service training programme for the volunteer Growing Buddies.
  • Maintain regular contact with Growing Buddy volunteers, garden settings, complimentary schemes, local community groups and Garden Organic staff to ensure they are up to date with developments.
  • Responsible for arranging training/workshop events including venue hire/catering, administration and promotion of events
  • To gather, collate and record details and outputs of the volunteering activities (both quantitative and qualitative).
  • Provide advice and support for volunteers in the scheme including both proactive and reactive support activities.
  • To help identify and engage with existing community groups in order to reach individuals from the target areas and encourage them to attend growing sessions.
  • Delivery of regular community-based growing sessions across nominated Golding housing estates.
  • Provide quarterly reports on project activity and progress against targets.
  • Responsible for managing social media/website content/press and communications.
  • Assist in project evaluation including collating questionnaires/feedback.
  • Administrative tasks as required.

It is the nature of work of Garden Organic that tasks and responsibilities are, in many circumstances unpredictable and varied. All staff are, therefore, expected to work in a flexible way when the occasion arises where tasks are not specifically covered in the Job Description have to be undertaken. The nature of work at Garden Organic and working with volunteers and the general public requires a flexible approach to hours of work including evening and weekend working.

Person Specification

Essential (E)
Desirable (D) / Short list Criteria / Evidenced
A strong commitment and enthusiasm for organic food growing / E /  / Application Form/Interview
Organic horticultural knowledge / E /  / Application Form/Interview
Previous experience of working with community volunteers / D /  / Application Form/Interview
Previous experience of co-ordinating and delivering events/activities / E /  / Application Form/Interview
A self-motivator and team player with good oral and written communication skills / E /  / Application Form/Interview
Ability to work effectively and flexibly / E /  / Application Form/Interview
Excellent attention to detail / E /  / Application Form/Interview
ICT ability: Word, Excel, database use etc. / D /  / Application Form
A knowledge and commitment to Health & Safety issues in the workplace / E /  / Application Form/Interview
A commitment to Equal Opportunities in all work places / E /  / Application Form/Interview
Positive, enthusiastic and dynamic approach / D /  / Application Form/Interview
Full driving licence and access to a car / D /  / Application Form
Local geographical knowledge of project area / E /  / Application Form/Interview
Understanding of issues related to social housing, food growing systems and sustainable development in Maidstone / D /  / Application Form/Interview
Understanding of issues related to social housing and food growing / D /  / Application Form/Interview
Interest in the aims and purpose of Garden Organic / D /  / Application Form/Interview