About Community Renewal

Community Renewal works to transform communities by engaging and supporting people to get involved in community activity and to improve health and wellbeing, learning and employment.

What we believe:

  • People don’t resist change - they resist being changed.
  • That people in deprived communities alreadyknow what is required to improve their qualityof life – what they need is help with how to make it happen.
  • That all our work needs to have compassionate listening as a starting pointand remain at the core of what we do.
  • That every individual and community has assets that are under-utilised and often notencouraged via a ‘deficit approach’.
  • When we are able to work with people withan open agenda coupled with a long termcommitment – personal and community development can be accelerated.
  • That sustainable transformation in communities is possible but needs a long term commitment.

What we do

Since 2003, we have worked in around 20 communities across Scotland – in some of these communities we have been working for the past six years. During that time we have supported around 4500 people into sustained employment, around 3000 to make health and wellbeing improvements and around 1000 into volunteering and community activity. We currently employ over 40 staff in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Our current projects include:

Employability

  • Delivering the Integrated Employability Service in Edinburgh
  • Delivering an “Employment Safety Net” to vulnerable young people in Edinburgh
  • Delivering a peer support and employability service for mental health service users in Glasgow

Health and Wellbeing

  • Supporting NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to engage with harder to engage groups
  • Providing a Health Case Management Service to vulnerable individuals and families in Craigmillar in Edinburgh

Neighbourhood Development

  • Operating a “Community Canteen “ in Govanhill to provide high quality, affordable food to people living in poverty
  • Open Door – A community development and listening process designed to get more people involved in their community to improve quality of life
  • People’s History Project – a volunteer based project that charts the history of immigration in Govanhill going back to the 1800s
  • Our Place – supporting the Bellsmyre Community Development Trust to access £2.5million in grants from the Big Lottery

What we are developing

We have a range of activities that are currently in development, including:

  • The scaling up of the Employment Safety Net Project to cover 18 neighbourhoods within Edinburgh and to establish this approach as part of Glasgow’s youth employment strategy
  • To develop a comprehensive support service for young people making the transition from being in care or looked after
  • To build on our projects in East and North Edinburgh so that they are able to provide more holistic support to individuals and to embed these projects more in the communities where they are based.
  • To establish a mobile food exchange for people experiencing food poverty
  • To support the Big Lottery with the development of Our Place 2 in North Ayrshire, Dumfries and Dundee
  • To develop a joint project with The Glasgow Equality Academy to place disabled graduates within the Education Departments of Scottish Local Authorities to support their equality activities
  • To develop a programme of training and capacity building for GP practice staff to improve their engagement skills and strategies
  • To develop a new social enterprise that will provide job opportunities for Roma Immigrants as public sector intermediaries
  • To develop a social enterprise that will provide affordable funeral care to low income families

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your enquiry about the post of Our Place 2 Project Leader. The post will be located in one of our offices inGlasgow, Edinburgh or West Kilbride however the post holder will be expected to travel regularly between each of Community Renewal’s Our Place 2 projectsin Ayrshire, Dumfries and Dundee.

Selection Process

The closing date for this post is 12noon onFriday 18 July 2014. You will only be contacted if you have been shortlisted for interview. If you do not receive a reply, unfortunately you have not been successful on this occasion.

The interviews for this post will take place onMonday 28 July 2014.

If you would like an informal chat about the post, please contact Claire Pattullo (Operations Director) on 07717507486.

Please submit your application, preferably by emailing your application form and covering letter to:

Alternatively you can post your application to:

Helen Barrie

Finance and HR Manager

Unit 3

Orkney Street Enterprise Centre

Glasgow

G51 2BX

Yours faithfully,

Helen Barrie

Finance and HR Manager

Role Profile
Title / Our Place 2 Project Leader (OP2PL)
Location / Glasgow, Edinburgh or West Kilbride(with regular travel to Our Place 2 projects across Scotland)
Salary / Circa £26,000 – 30,000per annum
Hours / 37.5 week
Leave / 25 days (plus public holidays)
Report to / Operations Director
Role summary
Community Renewal is a social enterprise and registered charity that works to build communities, improve quality of life and alleviate poverty by engaging individuals and families and supporting them to achieve sustainable employment, improved health and to become more involved in their community.
Community Renewal currently operates in 5 neighbourhoods in Glasgow and Edinburgh and is now expanding to other areas in Scotland including Ayrshire, Dundee and Dumfries. The current income of the organisation is just over £1m per annum.
We have secured funding from the Big Lottery to deliver three ‘Our Place 2’ programmes in Ayrshire, Dundee and Dumfries, in partnership with Community Enterprise, CEIS and Dundee Social Enterprise.
The purpose of the OP2PLposition is to work with key partners to ensure the development, management and delivery of our ‘Our Place 2’ projects, taking a lead role on a day to day basis for Community Renewal’s contributions.
Overall Objectives
  • In support of the Operations Director and Senior Management Team, s/he will takelead responsibility for the development, management and delivery of Community Renewal’s elements of the ‘Our Place 2’ projects in Ayrshire, Dundee and Dumfries, including direct management of specific projects.
  • S/he will be responsible for the development and supervision of volunteers and community activists supporting the ‘Our Place 2’ projects.
  • The OP2PL will liaise with other Community Renewal Project Leaders in order to co-ordinate the staff and volunteers supporting the ‘Our Place 2’ projects.

Key accountabilities
  • Reporting tothe Operations Director and Senior Management Team, ensure that services are delivered cost-effectively, budgets monitored, and all resources, particularly staff are utilised to best effect.
  • To lead, inspire and motivate the project teams to deliver services which are human centred, compassionate, welcoming, engaging and ethical, whilst also being delivered to a highly professional standard.
  • To monitor and evaluate performance and outcomes and prepare and carry out plans to make necessary adjustments to ensure success of services and contracts, whilst always working within the ethos and values of Community Renewal.
  • Through effective project management ensure that all projects,services, staffand volunteers are adequately and effectively supported, from development phase through to their completion, to meet the requirements of the funder, clients and stakeholders.
  • For the Our Place 2 projectsto ensure that Community Renewal’s policies and procedures are implemented consistently including Health and Safety, Data Protection and Equalities.
  • Any other duties as required by the Operations Director or Senior Management Team.

Role Requirements
Essential / Desirable
Experience /
  • Experience of delivering long-term Community Development and Capacity Building in communities
  • Experience of Asset Based Community Development
  • Proven track record of project management and achievement in community development
  • Experience of managing external stakeholder relationships with proven effective networking, meeting, negotiation, persuasion and presentation skills
  • Experience of designing and delivering training and of evaluating the effectiveness of the training
  • Experience of recruiting, developing and managing volunteers
/
  • Experience of project evaluation

Qualifications /
  • Educated to degree level (or equivalent)
  • Relevant management qualification

Knowledge/Aptitude /
  • Knowledge of the Policy Context for Community Empowerment in Scotland
  • Excellent and demonstrable volunteer management skills
  • Excellent presentation and training skills
  • Ability to manage time across multiple projects in different stages of development with consistent quality and commitment
  • Ability to work outside comfort zone and take on new challenges with enthusiasm
  • Commitment to continuous professional development
  • Excellent Information Technology skills
  • Passion for transformation and for providing services to vulnerable individuals and families
  • Project appraisal and talent developmentskills

Requirements we are looking for in candidates
Knowledge and skills /
  • Knowledge of successful engagement strategies within a Community Development context.
  • Knowledge of blended training programmes including on-line training and on-site training.
  • Knowledge of Asset Based Community Development.
  • Strong project management and communications skills with the ability to engage and work with colleagues, key stakeholders and funders.
  • Resilient, and capable of managing potentially stressful situations whilst presenting a calm, capable and reassuring presence to staff.
  • Capable of the effective management and supervision of volunteersacross diverse projects and services.
  • Capable of the effective coordination and leading of project teams.
  • Evidence of experience in conducting regular project performance reviews/evaluation and quality assurance of those services.

Experience /
  • Extensive and demonstrable experience of service management and delivery in a demanding context.
  • Experience of having successfully managed and implemented training and capacity building programmes for communities.
  • Experience of designing tailor made training solutions for community volunteers
  • Direct experience of funding programmes such as Big Lottery.
  • Experience of writing funding applications utilising a partnership approach.
  • Experience of volunteer management and project team co-ordination.
  • Experience and skills needed to develop and manage effective partnerships at all levels, including effective joint resolution of problems.
  • Evident experience of monitoring and evaluation and sharing best practice.
  • Practice experience in an area of service delivery which empowers disadvantaged individuals to gain greater control and self-management of their lives.

Attitude and approach to work /
  • Highly flexible and ready to take on the challenge of new initiatives without losing quality or focus in existing programmes.
  • Able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the objectives, values and vision of Community Renewal.
  • Self-confidence, and able to display an optimistic outlook whilst remaining results orientated, flexible, adaptable, with a ‘can do’ attitude.
  • Self-motivated, punctual, reliable, responsible and able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
  • Ability to manage time effectively; work to deadlines, and the ability and willingness to work outside normal hours when necessary.
  • Demonstrable commitment to the principles of social justice, equality of opportunity and challenging discrimination.
  • Committed to personal development.

Service Focus / Service provision
  • Be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of Community Empowerment blended with the ability to work effectively in a complex ‘political’ environment building successful working relationships across organisational, professional and operational boundaries with key stakeholders.
  • Must be a motivated and professional individual, with a desire to achieve results with a commercial and client focus.
  • Knowledge of current developments and strategic priorities within Community Empowerment Health Inequalities and Welfare Reform.
Recording and monitoring
  • Comfortable working with a wide range of management information; able to interpret and produce reports where required.

Interpersonal
Skills / Working with others / Leadership
  • Able to network effectively at operational level, build and maintain constructive working relationships across a wide range of stakeholders, including community activists, community groups, third sector organisations and Local Authorities.
  • Excellent people skills and the ability to lead, motivate and develop teams across different disciplines.
Communication
  • Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal.
  • Confident at presenting information in a variety of situations and to different audiences.
  • Demonstrable negotiating and influencing skills.
Equality and Diversity
  • A demonstrable commitment to equal opportunities and diversity, including a commitment to co-production.

Commitment to the Organisation / Commitment to organisational goals
  • An authentic and demonstrable commitment to the Vision, Mission and Values of Community Renewal.
  • Willingness and ability to take ownership of issues facing the organisation.
Embracing change
  • Open to and supportive of change and new ways of working.
  • Should exhibit openness to change and a drive for continuous improvement, and ability to deal positively with challenges and changes in strategic direction.

The post holder is expected to work within policies and procedures of Community Renewal and be committed to its ethos and values. This includes promoting and demonstrating the principles of equal opportunity (including encouraging diversity and tackling discrimination) and sensitivity to the environment.

Application for Employment

Vacancy (Job Title): / Our Place 2 Project Leader

Personal Details

Title: / Surname: / Forename:
Address: / Postcode:
Telephone / Home:
Mobile:
Work: / May we telephone you at work? Yes No
Do you have a full valid driving licence? / Yes No (answer only if post requires a licence)
Do you have a vehicle available for work? / Yes No

Employment History

Dates / Employer / Salary / Position held and brief outline of responsibilities / Reasons for leaving

Education/Qualifications & Training Relevant to Post

Date / Qualification/Course

Professional Development

Role Requirements

Please comment on your ability to carry out the duties and responsibilities for this role, and also demonstrate how you meet role requirements. In addition to the comments below, please also address the specific question on the following page. An additional page (s) may be added if required.

Additional Role Requirements

What do you see as the challenges and opportunities facing Community Renewal in the current political and financial climate? How would you use your experience to get the balance between maintaining current services at their current high quality whilst developing new services for the future?

References

Please give contact details, one of which should be your present or most recent employer. Where you have been in post with your current or last employer (if currently not working) for less than 12 months, we will automatically take up references from your last two employers. Please provide their details. We do not employ people without satisfactory references. If you were offered a post it would be completely conditional upon receipt of these. Make sure the information is complete, current and appropriate, email contact details help to speed things up.

First Referee / Second Referee
Name:
Position:
Relationship:
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:
E-mail:
May we contact them prior to interview? Yes No May we contact them prior to interview? Yes No
Convictions
Please state any convictions you have had for criminal offences. Most of our posts are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. If the post you are applying for is not exempt, this will be stated in the covering letter and you need only declare unspent convictions. If none state “none”. If necessary attach a separate sheet giving details of dates, offences and sentences, place in separate envelope marked Private and Confidential. All exempt post will be subject to criminal record checks via the criminal records bureau.
Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you form working with Community Renewal.

Declarations

Are you related to or a partner of a Community Renewal client, worker or Board member? (If yes give brief details on a separate sheet) Yes No

To the best of my knowledge there is no reason in respect of my physical or mental health why I would not be able to carry out fully the tasks described for this post. I confirm that the information I have given on this form is correct and complete and that I understand misleading statements may be sufficient grounds for dismissal.

Signed: / Date:

Please return the completed form either by e-mail or to the address stated in the covering letter by the date specified.

Equal Opportunities Recruitment Monitoring Form

This form will be detached from your application form upon receipt and the selection panel will not have access to the information during the Short listing or interviews.

Community Renewal provides support for people regardless of their background and therefore intends to ensure equality of opportunity in our recruitment process. People seeking employment will not be refused on the grounds of gender, ethnic origin, colour, sexuality, disability, religion, appearance or HIV status.

To ensure that this policy is effective, we monitor our Job Applicants according to the categories below. Completion of this form is voluntary, but it does help us provide a better service if this information is given. Thank you.

THE INFORMATION YOU GIVE ON THIS FORM WILL BE CONFIDENTIAL TO FOUNDATION AND USED FOR MONITORING PURPOSES ONLY.

Name:
I define my gender as: / Female / Male
I define my ethnic group as:
White / Asian / Asian British
British / Indian
Irish / Pakistani
Gypsy or Irish Traveller / Bangladeshi
Other: / Kashmiri
Chinese
Mixed / Multiple Ethnic Groups / Other:
White and Black Caribbean
White and Black African / Black / African / Caribbean / Black British
White and Asian / Caribbean
Other: / African
Other:
Other Ethnic Group (please specify):
I define my religious belief as:
No religion / belief / Hindu
Buddhist / Muslim
Christian / Jewish
(including, Church of Scotland
Roman Catholic, and all other
Christian denominations) / Sikh
Other:
I define my sexuality as: / Lesbian/Gay / Bisexual / Heterosexual
Do you define yourself as having a disability? / No / Yes / If yes, please
give details:
Age: / 30 or Under / 31 – 40 / 41 – 50 / 51 +
Where did you see the advertisement for this vacancy?
Community Renewal Website / Good Moves
Job Centre / Guardian Jobs
S1Jobs / The Herald
Other: / Please be specific as this helps us to see where our advertising is effective. If you saw it on the internet please tell us which site, not just “internet”.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this form.