JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: ManagerPSU Newcastle, Job-share, 17.5hrs (over 2.5 days)

Terms of employment: 6 month contract from 18 September 2017with possible extension.

Reporting to the Regional Manager, North East

Purpose of the job

To maintain anddevelop the Personal Support Unit service at Newcastle Combined Court.

To recruit, train and support a team of volunteers.

To work efficiently with ouradministrative office systems and procedures in accordance with PSU practice.

To initiate and develop links with all key agencies in the Newcastle Combined Court, and associated organisations in the area.

To raise funds for the service.

To produce evaluative material.

To support the CEO and other staff in running the charity.

To recruit and supervise an intern if funds become available.

Main duties

1.Volunteer related

1.1.Recruit and select volunteers, and organise and participate in their induction and training, with support from line management and colleagues in the network.

1.2.Provide support for volunteers at the PSU inNewcastle, and elsewhere as appropriate.

1.3.Organise a rota of volunteers, to ensure the provision of a service for litigants, relatives and other client supporters.

1.4.Delegate client enquiries and cases to the team of volunteers.

1.5.Ensure that the service is offered and provided to its users in a supportive, helpful, inclusive, accessible and friendly way.

1.6.Build up and maintain a database of information on appropriate services throughout the area, and ensure that volunteers signpost clients to other relevant sources of support.

1.7.Ensure that accurate records of all contacts with,and feedback from, service-users are maintained.

1.8.In conjunction with other staff, review, update, and improve training content, material, and methods.

1.9.Travel to other PSUs to provide and/or support regional training, undertake peer reviews, and share best practice.

2.Management and development

2.1.Supervise and manage an intern if funds become available.

2.2.Ensure that all the work of the service is carried out in accordance with the PSU’s Equal Opportunities policy.

2.3.Implement the PSU’s Health and Safety Policy, especially relating to personal safety for volunteers, and as related to any part of the premises that is occupied by the PSU service.

2.4.Ensure that all volunteers maintain a strict policy of confidentiality in their dealings with litigants and their supporters.

2.5.Initiate and develop working relations with court staff and other relevant agencies to promote the service and to further develop these as the service progresses, and to liaise at all levels, including judges and court staff. Where necessary, negotiate to achieve improvements for litigants and their supporters.

2.6.Develop and maintain relationships with organisations in the local area, such as probono advice services, law centres, the Citizens Advice Bureaux etc.

3.Fundraising

3.1.Workto agreed fundraising targets;and with support from the fundraising team, organise and support fundraising events for the PSUNewcastle.

4.Administrative

4.1.Ensure that there are efficient and effective office systems and procedures to support the service, in line with PSU practice.

4.2.Initiate systems in line with PSU practice, for appropriate record keeping and the production of regular statistics and reports.

4.3.Collate and evaluate evidence about the service, in order to recommend and implement relevant actions for improvement and development.

4.4.Prepare budgets and accounts if required, and maintain appropriate financial records and budgetary control, specifically monitoring and managing petty cash (including volunteers’ expenses) and office requirements.

4.5.Prepare regular reports on the PSU Newcastleservice, for line managers and the PSUBoard of Trustees, and others as required.

5.Promotion and policy

5.1.In advance of hearings and on the day, initiate and develop marketing materials, promotion mechanisms, and referral procedures to ensure that all litigants in person and their supporters have access to the PSU service.

5.2.Support the PSU’s development of social media for purposes of communication with and promotion to the legal community, potential referring agencies and clients.

5.3.Raise awareness of issues in the court system that affect litigants and, where appropriate, make proposals for change.

  1. General

6.1.Liaise with the job-share partner to ensure that the service is delivered effectively, volunteers are supported and processes run smoothly.

6.2.The PSU is undergoing a period of development and this job description may change and develop.

6.3.This job description is not exhaustive. You will be expected to undertake such other duties as may from time to time reasonably be required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential requirements

Experience and qualifications

  • Graduate calibre or equivalent experience
  • Evidence ofsuccessful experience in a service-based organisation
  • Demonstrable ability to work with volunteers and coordinate service delivery

Skills and abilities

  • Persuasive, authoritative, confident and decisive
  • Enthusiastic, flexible, energetic and committed
  • Ability to deal with competing demands, calm and reliable under pressure, demonstrating sound judgement
  • Diplomatic and tactful, concerned to maintain good relationships even when there are disagreements
  • Ability to deliver a supportive service to vulnerable people
  • Excellent writing and speaking skills suitable for a wide range of audiences
  • Excellent computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets and email
  • Ability to work collaboratively and on own initiative
  • Willingness to adhere to the PSU’s equal opportunities and confidentiality policies
  • Ability to work effectively in partnership with other agencies
  • Ability to plan and undertake evaluation
  • Willingness to work occasional unsocial hours

Desirable requirements

  • Proven ability to recruit, train and support a team of volunteers
  • Supervisory or management experience
  • Experience of working in the public or voluntary sector, or a demonstrable aptitude for doing so
  • Experience of working in a job-share arrangement
  • Experience of fundraising
  • Experience of delivering training
  • Knowledge/experience of creating online training mechanisms
  • Knowledge of the judicial and court process
  • Experience of using social media in a work environment

TERMS of EMPLOYMENT

  • Salary: £11,221 pa (£22,442pro rata)
  • Annual leave entitlement: 28 days, plus public holidays, pro rata
  • Matched pension contributions up to 6% of salary

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