The Steve Sinnott Foundation, a Watford UK based international development organisation and charity, requires a project coordinator. This will be an appointment initially for one year (with the possibility of renewal subject to further funding) to assist generally with the Foundation's campaigning activities and with a main focus on the Foundation's project to engage schools in the UK with an Education for All Day project in 2013

The Steve Sinnott Foundation was set up in 2008. It is named after the late General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Steve Sinnott. The Foundation works to promote the Millennium Development Goals to secure quality education for all children around the world. Our work includes community based initiatives in Africa & Asia, policy advocacy on education and raising awareness about rightsto education through extensive campaigning with schools in the UK. We provide and manage an online international community of teachers educators and project organisers.

This is an exciting time to join the Foundation as we are substantially expanding our campaign with the education community in the UK and worldwide. We are looking for an enthusiastic person, with passion for and commitment to education for all and the ability to engage a wide audience with the issues, including teachers and young people. You will be willing to take initiatives, look for new opportunities and rapidly scale up the Foundation’s partnerships with schools in the UK and abroad. You will have excellent communication skills, both oral and written as well as expertise in the use of social media technology and software.

The last date for applications is 23rd November 2012. Interviews will be held at the Foundation’s office at 54 Clarendon Road, Watford WD17 1DU as soon as possible after the closure of applications.

PROJECT COORDINATOR

JOB DESCRIPTION

Background

  1. The Foundation is named for Steve Sinnott who was, until his and premature death on 5th April 2008, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers of England and Wales. He was passionate and committed in his support for the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, in particular Goal 2 (MDG2), the achievement, by 2015 of universal primary education, the opportunity for all children throughout the world to attend school at primary age.
  1. The Foundation does not presume to substitute itself for the United Nations nor for the many charities already actively engage in the pursuit of MDG2 Rather its aim is to motivate teachers and educators throughout the world to support MDG2, to encourage their active participation in its achievement and to provide a central resource of information, knowledge and experience to those many individuals and groups throughout the world who are involved in projects to bring the achievement of the goal closer.
  1. This is possible for the Foundation because of Steve Sinnott’s reputation and the respect he earned. He was a very active participant in the work of Education International (“EI”), the world federation of teachers’ organisations with 401 member organisations operating in 172 countries and territories. In the course of his contribution to EI, Steve was in regular contact with teachers’ leaders throughout the world and it was their liking and respect he won. The mention of Steve’s name to the senior figures in education in relation to any project secures immediate interest and support.

Structure of the Foundation

  1. The Foundation is a company limited by guarantee with charitable objects. It is also a registered charity. Its directors are Mary Sinnott, Christine Blower (General Secretary of the NUT), Jerry Glazier (NUT Executive Member) and Graham Clayton (former NUT Senior Solicitor). Though closely associated with the NUT it is not a body directed by the NUT. It has its own independent decision making structure.

Terms

Duration / Initially for one year subject to renewals
Location / Watford, United Kingdom
Salary / £20,000 PA
Holidays / 28 working days inclusive of public holidays (occasional work on public holidays may be required with days off in lieu)
Restrictions / UK permanent resident or must have relevant permit/visa to work in the UK
Reports to / Project Manager
Expected travel / Considerable travel within the UK and possibly international travel at a later stage

Purpose of the Appointment

This appointment is initially for one year with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and further funding. The Project Coordinator will work with theFoundation’s Project Manager and the Education Team primarily to deliver the first phase of the Foundation’s project ‘Education for All Campaign & International School Linkages’. This is intended as a three year project which involves campaigning with UK Schools to raise awareness about the Millennium Development Goals for Education. The second and third years are dependent on the success of the project in the first phase.

The project involves a number of activities such as identifying partner schools, embedding MDGs in Global Citizenship Education and encouraging the use of Foundation’s resources in classrooms across partner schools, setting up and nurturing global school linkages and organising an ‘Education for All’ day (EFA day)in every partner school in the summer term of each year until 2015. The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the management & administration of this project, under the guidance of the Project Manager and the Directors.

Specific Responsibilities

  1. Managing relationships with all UK and International partner schools
  2. Proactively engage schools and teachers in the campaign; sending reminders for key events, collecting regular feedback and sharing important news and information.
  3. Answer all incoming calls and handle all queries from school staff, following up and responding within the specified time frame.
  4. Visit schools for assemblies, presentations and meetings where necessary, initially with the Project Manager and later individually.
  5. Encouraging schools to use resources developed by the Foundation for Global Citizenship Education as well as EFA day.
  6. Report the feedback from schools on a regular basis to the Project Manager.
  7. Cultivate strong relationships with all partner schools at home and around the world.
  1. Supporting teachers and school staff with fundraising & organising EFA day
  2. Work with the Project Manager to help schools organise the EFA day, ensuring information, help and support is available to the schools in preparation for the day.
  3. Ensure wide publicity and media coverage in the run up to the day and after.
  4. Answer questions from schools related to organising the EFA day, responding to all requests professionally and promptly within the specified timescale.
  5. Provide support to schools in organising their fundraising activities.
  6. Maintain a fundraising database for schools and update information regularly.
  1. Reporting, documentation and events
  2. Keep the schools contact database up to date.
  3. Under the guidance of the Project Manager, develop a database for recording enquiries from schools and the assistance provided to each enquiry, with the objective of developing guidelines at a later stage in the project.
  4. Collect stories from schools about their experience of being involved in the campaign, using the Foundation’s resource base and organising the EFA day and use them to develop inspiring case studies (with permission from respective schools) that will motivate more schools to get involved in the campaign.
  5. Assist in organising a partner schools workshop at the end of the first year of the project and respond to all queries regarding the event.
  1. Project monitoring & evaluation
  2. Along with the Project Manager, develop questionnaires that will be used for collecting formal feedback from schools.
  3. Visit schools for observations, taking notes for case studies and meetings with the key staff involved in the campaign.
  4. Follow up data collection for monitoring through email and phone calls.
  1. Coordinating International partnerships
  2. Work with the Project Manager and Directors in identifying international partner schools and developing their links with UK schools.
  3. Facilitate schools in carrying out all partnership activities in a timely manner and ensure regular communication between all partner schools.
  4. Be the point of contact for all queries from UK and international partner schools and respond to them within the agreed timescale.
  5. Regularly share updates and information with all UK and international partner schools.
  6. Send reminders about key events and deadlines to contact people in all UK and international partner schools.
  7. Develop and regularly update international school partnerships database.
  8. Collect stories of curricular/cultural exchange, fundraising or any other activity undertaken by UK and international partner schools, along with illustrations, photographs and any other evidence available and collate them to produce exciting and inspiring case studies and reports for donors & supporters.
  1. Website update and social media
  2. Regularly update the project related section of the website.
  3. Active blogging throughout the EFA day and other key events.
  4. Encourage students and teachers from partner schools to blog on the website, with the aim of having one new blog each month.
  5. Frequently update the Foundation’s social network pages such as twitter and facebook.
  1. Other responsibilities
  2. Undertake other appropriate work as delegated by the Project Manager and the Directors.
  3. Stay updated with trends and new developments in charity fundraising and proactively identify new avenues for fundraising and business development.
  4. Play an active role in identifying and adding new schools to the campaign.
  5. Work as a part of the team to contribute to the Foundation’s goals.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential :

  1. Excellent IT, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
  2. Experience of extensive use of social media.
  3. Commitment to the objectives and values of the Steve Sinnott Foundation.
  4. Willingness to travel, occasionally outside of normal working hours as may be reasonably required.

Desirable

  1. Graduate
  2. Understanding of and commitment to education at home and abroad
  3. Experience of fundraising from schools or general fundraising experience