Job Description

Development Manager (Holidays & Short breaks)

Responsible to:Head of Volunteering

Responsible for: Sessional leaders, Facilitators, Volunteers

Payscale:37 – 40

Purpose of the Role

To ensure sustainable growth of high quality short break provision which will extend our reach to deafblind people and their families and generate increased income for Sense; and to ensure that all the activities in the Holidays and Volunteering team meet or exceed the expectations of MSI/deafblind people, families, Sense and external bodies and that our standards are continually challenged to ensure leading edge practice.

Key Objectives

  • To take a lead role in the national team that is responsible for the growth and delivery of high quality and innovative volunteer led service provision
  • To generate sustainable growth for the Holidays and Volunteering Team by working with a range of statutory authorities to understand their priorities and to shape our offer in response to that
  • To generate sustainable growth for the Holidays and Volunteering Team by supporting funding opportunities and helping to develop grant applications, and provide assistance to the fundraising department
  • Project management and coordination of the delivery of a range ofcontracted or grant aided volunteer-led projects undertaken by Sense
  • To work with the Holidays Programme Manager to recruit and develop sessional leaders and volunteers with specialist skills to meet the needs of deafblind people and families receiving our services
  • To take a lead role in ensuring our standards are continually challenged to ensure leading edge practice
  • By contributing to decisions about allocations of holidaymakers, volunteers and leaders in conjunction with other senior colleagues
  • By monitoring and enhancing learning and development opportunities of all sessional leaders, volunteers, team members.
  • By providing advice, support and coaching in advance of and during the periods that our holidays and short breaks programmes are active (in conjunction with other senior colleagues).
  • To be one of the people providing out of hours office support to Sense holidays and short breaks
  • To monitor, evaluate and provide reports for the department and organisation.
  • Ensure all activities are conducted in a safe manner, in accordance with Sense policies and procedure

Specific Responsibilities

1.General

1.1The delivery and co-ordination of set strategic priorities for the holidays & volunteering department

1.2Manage delivery of Sense’s projects and scope working across all levels of the organisation

1.3Maintain required standards in the delivery of projects

1.4Support and supervise staff and volunteers in the delivery of a range of projects

1.5To support the external development of Sense’s reputation in the field of high quality holidays and volunteering programmes.

1.6To ensure, where possible, that the projects are sustainable following completion of the project

1.7Increase the level of holiday and short break service provision for our beneficiaries.

1.8Complying with all external funding requirements as appropriate

1.9Effectively liaise with service users and families

1.10Employ and manage sessional staff and volunteers

1.11Monitor, evaluate and report on projects, and report directly to funding bodies where applicable

1.12Ensure that a comprehensive communication plan is in place for all projects

1.13Ensure that all participants have equal access to wide ranging opportunities

1.14Ensure a safe and open working environment

1.15Develop opportunities for joint work within the team and external agencies, using a partnership approach

1.16To link with colleagues to extend the range of high quality short break provision

1.17To actively promote the awareness of Equal Opportunities policies in all aspects of her/his employment.

1.18To carry out any other duties as reasonably requested by your line Manager or Senior Manager, relevant to the objectives of the post.

Person Specification

Development Manager (Holidays & Short breaks)

Education and Training
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
Strong professional knowledge and expertise related to the delivery of services for multisensory impaired/ deafblind people in education, health or social care.
A good general level of education at degree level or equivalent. / MSI qualification
Able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the current social care agenda in England and Wales
Achievements and Experience
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
Experience of leading and managing complex projects and activities for people with multiple complex needs.
Proven experience of effective engagement with people with multiple complex needs, including sensory impairments, physical and cognitive impairments, complex medical needs, life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, autism and related communication difficulties and challenging behaviour.
Experience of managing volunteers / Experience of recruiting and managing volunteers and sessional staff with specialist skills
Experience of managing funded projects / Experience of preparing funding applications
Able to demonstrate a record of ensuring processes are in place that safeguard vulnerable people and deliver excellent quality standards
Skills & Abilities
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
Demonstrable commitment to delivering positive change in the lives of deafblind people and their families
Proven ability to develop new partnerships within related agencies
Ability to present clear and informative written and verbal reports
A flexible approach to work, including unsocial hours.

Note: This role can be based in London or Birmingham or home based.

There will be a requirement to attend meetings in London or undertake national travel at least 4 days per month.