COMMUNITY ACTION SOUTHWARK
JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLESustainability Officer
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GRADENJC Scale, Points 30-36
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RESPONSIBLE TODirector of Capacity Building
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PURPOSE OF JOB
- To provide strategic support to local voluntary and community sector organisations and the local voluntary and community sector collectively to facilitate an improvement in their long term sustainability.
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MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1.Principal Duties
Consultancy
1.1To develop and implement a framework of consultancy services that can be delivered to member organisations. Within this framework, the post holder will develop strategies:
1.2To provide in-depth strategic support to organisations to develop their readiness for commissioning, particularly public sector contracts, and/or to provide dedicated support to complete a response to a commissioning document.
1.3 To advise and support organisations in developing and implementing strategies and services in response to the national and local agendas e.g.Personalisation.
1.4 To advise and support organisations in developing and implementing marketing and promotion strategies.
1.5 To develop and implement a range of strategies that encourage organisations to work collaboratively (e.g. shared services) and to advise and support groups of organisations that wish to develop this approach.
1.6 To develop a package of support for organisations that wish to merge.
1.7 To strategically support local voluntary and community sector organisations on a range of practical areas including strategy development, good governance, service design, evaluation, legal forms, collaboration, quality management systems, premises and equality and diversity.
1.8To provide information and support to organisations, including social enterprises, that wish to develop trading initiatives.
1.9To devise and implement systems for measuring, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness and impact, across the local voluntary and community sector, of CAS’s sustainability work and to modify arrangements in light of new monitoring data.
1.10 To support organisations to identify operational efficiency savings, such as application of mandatory/discretionary rate relief, the proceeds of which can be redirected to front line work.
Research
1.11To analyse the possible impact of future changes in the environment in which the local voluntary and community sector operates, particularly to do with legislation, government policy and economic factors and trends.
1.12To design and undertake research relevant to the local voluntary and community sector and disseminate the results of that research as appropriate.
Learning
1.13To develop and implement a strategic approach to the development of an accredited learning programme for volunteers, employees and trustees of local voluntary and community sector organisations, which should include accredited programmes where appropriate.
1.14To deliver or commissionaccredited training forvoluntary and community sector organisations, as identified by research and member feedback and within the developed framework above.
1.15 To implement a variety of techniques within the learning programme, such as action learning, coaching or mentoring.
Communication
1.16To adhere to and to contribute to the development of CAS’s communications strategy (including house style, database responsibilities, internal communications, online/web based, phone call protocols etc).
1.17 To develop online resources, to complement the team’s consultancy service.
1.18 Participation in online networking tools both internally with colleagues and externally with members and stakeholders.
1.19 To ensure the CAS members are fully informed about the work of the Sustainability Officer by generating and contributing to CAS’s communication channels.
1.20 To develop, facilitate and maintain relevant physical networks such as the Southwark Trustees’ Network, the Capacity Builders’ Network and the Central London CVS Network or networks that replace these.
1.21To contribute to developing and managing an electronic database, ensuring that all data is correct before inputting into CAS systems;
1.23 To be involved in editing and managing the production and circulation of the Cascade newsletter and other CAS publications. This includes seeking out story ideas, writing articles and proof reading;
In common with all other staff:
2.General
2.1To support CAS’s mission, vision, values and strategic objectives;
2.2To implement CAS’s policies and practices including equality and diversity, health and safety and quality management policies;
2.3To take responsibility for one’s own professional development and participate in relevant internal and external development activities in order to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for the effective performance of the role;
2.4To attend supervision sessions and appraisals and undergo training as identified;
2.5To undertake such other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post which may be required from time to time;
3.Planning and Organising
3.1To develop an annual workplan with your line manager and provide input in to the team’s strategic planning process and to ensure plans meet funders’ requirements;
3.2To plan and organise own work priorities to ensure the achievement of all necessary targets and deadlines;
3.3To engage with teams across CAS to coordinate an organisation wide input on actions and business;
3.4To undertake and complete timely reports, including monitoring reports;
3.5To manage budgeted income and expenditure and adhere to internal financial controls;
3.6To identify income-generating opportunities, develop proposals and secure funding for existing and/or new work;
4.Building and Managing Relationships
4.1To actively develop and manage relationships both internally and externally;
4.2To engage in discussions with others about the quality of working relationships with a view to improving the quality of CAS services;
4.3To develop strong, purposeful and wide networks, as appropriate to the role;
4.4To take steps to manage how others view you and Community Action Southwark to ensure the organisation is represented in a positive light;
4.5To make time to meet people and develop mutual understanding;
4.6To take part in professional associations such as AGMs or other similar social and networking events;
5.Effective Influencing
5.1To develop and implement effective influencing strategies;
5.2To adapt the content, style and timing of communication to meet the needs of a variety of audiences, with differing language and business needs;
5.3To be able to uses a combination of logical argument, personal conviction and passion to create a winning case;
5.4To use understanding of the organisation and its culture and structures to tailor the approach;
5.5To be able to involve others in decision making in order to gain support;
6.Team work
6.1To contribute to team work within your own team and the CAS team by participating in team meetings and full staff team meetings, and by working collaboratively with other staff.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Needed
Methods of testing Appl Int Test
- Educated to degree level or vocational equivalent
- A relevant professional qualification (desirable)
- A demonstrated commitment to personal and professional development
- Experience of commissioning and/or delivering accredited training or group work facilitation, and contribute to the development of a range of training resources
- Ability to carry out and manage the full process of research and analysis
- Excellent presentation and communication skills both written and oral
- Skilled and able computer user in standard office software including Outlook email, Word, Powerpoint and mail merge
- Knowledge of Charity Law and legislation in relation to voluntary and community sector organisations and how to operate within good practice guidelines
- Knowledge and experience of quality management systems
- A knowledge of Human Resource issues
- Ability to facilitate the writing of business plans and action plans and encourage the achievement of goals
- Ability to motivate and enable community members to take part in learning activities
- Good organisational and project management skills including financial planning, time management, project planning, monitoring and evaluation, and good governance
- A good understanding of governance, including issues facing trustees and voluntary management committee members
- Ability to provide advice, information and support on premises related issues
Personal qualities
- Strong team player, capable of capable of leading and decision making whilst also considering wider issues and impact on individuals
- Ability to prioritise and manage own workload/caseload
- High level listening, influencing and negotiating skill; positive, flexible and proactive attitude
- Strong networkingand influencing skills
- Reliability
- A full commitment to equality of opportunity with practical ideas for its implementation within the scope of the post
Additional Information
Office Base: The post is currently based at the Community Action Southwark Offices, 8th Floor, Hannibal House, Elephant & Castle, London SE1 6TE
Hours of work: 35 per week
Hours of Business
Office Hours / Flexi-TimeMonday to Friday / 9.00am to 5.00pm / 8.00am to 6.30pm
A flexi-time scheme is in operation within Community Action Southwark.The successful applicant must be willing to work within the flexi-time hours. The person appointed may be required to work outside these hours.
Annual Leave:30 days Annual Leave. The leave runs from 1st April to 31 March.
Pension Scheme:In addition to the salary, there is a company pension scheme to which employees currently contribute 3% of their salaries
Probationary Period:The appointment will commence with a probation period of six months which may be terminated at a month’s notice by either side during the period.
Other: Successful applicants will need to prove their entitlement to work in the UK and may be subject to CRB/ISA checks.
22/09/181