June 2015

Contact a Family

Job description

Job Title:

/ Head of Parent Carer Participation
Responsible to: / Director of Development and Engagement
Responsible for: / Parent Carer Participation team and projects (14 staff)
Department and location: / Development and Engagement.
Flexible with travel required (at least 1 day a week in London).
Salary scale: / NJC scale 48 – 53
Job purpose /
  • Leadership of the parent carer participation programme, securing appropriate contracts and grants and ensuring they are delivered, with strategic support from the Director of Development and Engagement
  • To develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and funders, in particularthe Department forEducationand the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF)

Main duties /
  • Lead, manage and develop the staff team delivering parent carer participation contracts and projects
  • Ensure the grants programme to parent carer forums is managed and delivered effectively in line with the agreement and requirements from the Department for Education (DfE)
  • Ensure effective controls and reporting mechanisms are in place for the management of budgets and for effective reporting oncontract and grant delivery
  • To develop and maintain a positive relationship with government departments, ensuring we deliver good value on the contracts and grants we hold and that we work effectively with other DfE strategic and delivery partners.
  • Develop and maintain positive relationships with a wider network of stakeholders, funders and partner organisations to promote the value and ethos of parent carer participation.
  • Working with the Director of Development and Engagement to write funding bids and negotiation of contracts for parent carer participation programmes in conjunction with the fundraising team at Contact a Family
  • Represent Contact a Family at external events and deliver presentations and workshops when required.
  • Promote the ethos of parent carer participation across Contact a Family, and lead cross departmental or cross organisational initiatives where required by the Director of Development and Engagement
  • Support the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) to provide an effective voice for parents and carers at a national level assisting them as they require.
  • Support managers in the parent carer participation team to resolve any difficult issues or complaints that may arise; and manage any issues which may lead to reputational risk with support from the marketing and communications team at Contact a Family
Job descriptions only reflect 80% of a role,and are not an exhaustive list of duties. You are expected to carry out other activities that are within the scope of the role.

Person Specification

Job Title: / Head of Parent Carer Participation
Essential skills, knowledge and experiencerequired / Competencies / Behaviours
  • Relationship Building - the ability to develop, maintain and strengthen partnerships with others inside or outside the organization that are of mutual benefit.
  • Leadership - the ability to inspire, provide direction and guidance and encourage cooperation in order to achieve a shared goal.
  • Communication and Influence - gives and receives information effectively, persuades others and negotiates to achieve the best possible outcomes.
  • Delivering Results - The ability to achieve objectives and ensure high quality results.
  • Teamwork and Collaboration – The ability to work effectively with others in order to achieve a shared goal
Experience
  • Experience of leading and developing a staff team.
  • Experience of programme management; or of managing projects of a value of £400k plus
  • Experience of producing funding proposals or of working on funding applications with support from a fundraising team
  • Experience of working at a senior level in a user led environment
  • Experience of managing relationships with funders, or of managing relationships with government officials at a national or local level
  • Experience of working with volunteers.
Knowledge
  • A commitment and understanding of the ethos of participation and co-production
  • Financial literacy - ability to use and interpret financial information
  • Knowledge of the issues families with disabled children experience
  • An understanding of the principles of monitoring and evaluation

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience. /
  • Public speaking skills.
  • Experience of facilitating and chairing meetings and /or workshops
  • Knowledge of the policy or service environment relating to families with disabled children at a national or local level

Disclosure level: / DBS needed