THE GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND ASSOCIATION
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: / Sighted Guide AmbassadorDEPARTMENT/LOCATION: / Sighted Guiding
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Job title: / Sighted Guide National Manager
Location: / Named locations or surrounding areas:
Hamilton
Sheffield or Leeds
Bristol
London or Reading
Redbridge or St Albans
MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB: / 1) To identify, set up and support mobility services, in particular Sighted Guide service, being accountable for the delivery of the service by influencing, advising and empowering partners delivering a service and those services that Guide Dogs directly deliver.
2) Represent Guide Dogs to external organisations, influence services that blind and partially sighted people receive and deliver the 2020 strategy and department business plan.
3) Promotion to potential clients, volunteers and partners of Guide Dogs mobility services.
DIRECT/INDIRECT SUBORDINATES / Direct: / 3-5 Sighted Guide Coordinators and other staff as appropriate
Indirect: / Volunteer teams delivering services.
Please attach an organisation chart of department showing where this job fits in.
DIMENSIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Personal, capital or revenue budget:Value of equipment:
Services provided:
Signature of Functional Director: Date:
Signature of Regional Controller: Date:
Signature/Name of Dept Head: Date:
Signature/Name of Job Holder: Date:
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To identify opportunities and make contacts in local community where there are potential partnerships or a need for the Sighted Guide service, and support ongoing relationships with partners.
§ Work in partnership with external organisations by putting processes into place for them to set up and deliver a service. Support them by forward planning, agreeing priorities, developing and driving forward the sighted guide service in line with business needs.
§ Assist in delivering the service as and where appropriate, to ensure the success of the project. This is likely to include recruiting volunteers and providing them with the appropriate support, guidance and recognition.
§ Publicise the service locally. This will include collecting case studies, drafting press release and responding to media requests.
§ Work with ophthalmic units, GPs, opticians, local charities etc to reach clients who may benefit from the service.
§ Train volunteers to the National standard and kite mark quality checks on services.
§ To seek funding for coordinators and other aspects of the service where appropriate. Working with Fundraising to look at local grant providers.
§ Compile and report on qualitative and quantitative evaluation of their area, and be accountable to delivering set targets in line with the Corporate Plan in liaison with the National Manager.
§ Ensure a positive reputation for the Sighted Guide project and other mobility services as appropriate, internally and externally, through the provision of a high level of customer service. Liaise with appropriate Guide Dogs’ departments, to ensure work is to appropriate standard, e.g. fundraising, communications.
§ To direct and motivate Sighted Guide Co-ordinators and other staff.
§ To manage all issues raised and ensure these are assessed and appropriate action undertaken, referring as appropriate to the National Sighted Guide Manager.
§ To ensure that Guide Dogs’ Equality and Diversity Policy is implemented and reflected in all aspects of volunteer involvement.
§ To actively support and promote Guide Dogs’ Vision, Mission and Values.
§ To undertake any other appropriate duties as specified by National Sighted Guide Manager.
Ambassador February 2011
JOB FACTORS
1 JUDGEMENT
Ambassador February 2011
§ The Sighted Guide Ambassador will be responsible to make key decisions, in consultation with others, to ensure the smooth running of sighted guide services.
§ Sound judgement to plan and maintain service set up
§ Identify and manage Service risks, ensuring contingency plans in place
§ Analyse problems/issues and identify the elements necessary to bring about change
§ Negotiate with project teams and external suppliers re project pilot to include scope, costs, timescales and delivery of quality
§ This will require tact, diplomacy and a high level of customer service in order to ensure that good relationships are developed with external partners and all key internal stakeholders.
§ Understand the needs of blind and partially sighted people
§ Understand the needs of volunteers and the complexities of managing a volunteer led service.
Ambassador February 2011
2 PLANNING & ORGANISATION OF WORK
Ambassador February 2011
§ The job holder is required to be able to plan, prioritise and self-monitor their activity, with limited day-to-day support from their line manager.
§ Must be adaptable when circumstances change.
§ The job holder must be able to organise her/his own work, ensuring deadlines are met, and to be able to prioritise sometimes conflicting deadlines.
§ Project planning skills are essential, as are solid organisational, time management and problem solving skills.
§ Manage sighted guide co-ordinators and other staff delivering mobility services as appropriate and deliver training to volunteers.
Ambassador February 2011
3 COMMUNICATIONS & CONTACTS
Ambassador February 2011
§ The post holder needs to build strong relationships with a wide range of staff both at Guide Dogs and externally working collaboratively to achieve a positive outcome for the service provision.
§ Ability to influence, persuade, negotiate and advise and maintain diplomacy and achieving quality outcomes when programme/ project/ business interests conflict
§ The post holder should have a good understanding of the local community within which they operate, the voluntary sector and the work of Local Authorities and will act as a local ambassador for Guide Dogs and the Sighted Guide project.
§ Excellent written and verbal/telephone communications are essential to the success of this role, as is a positive attitude.
§ He/she will act as a local ambassador for Guide Dogs.
§ Liaison and relationship maintenance and development with partner organisations and local authorities.
Ambassador February 2011
4 INTRODUCING CHANGE (CREATIVITY)
Ambassador February 2011
§ The post holder should be flexible, creative and open minded in their approach.
§ Ability to keep themselves abreast of developing trends and best practice inside and outside the Association, and be proactive in sharing ideas with others.
§ He/she will need to communicate and manage any changes that affect staff or volunteers within the region and deal with any concerns or difficulties in a positive and appropriate manner.
Ambassador February 2011
5 JOB IMPACT
Ambassador February 2011
§ This role is vital in the set up, promotion and delivery of new Guide Dogs products.
§ It will have impact on the services that blind and partially sighted people receive in a geographic region, and be key to Guide Dogs relations with external partners.
§ It will mould how services are delivered, their success and the publicity they receive and will impact on decisions that are taken on how the organisation operates in the future.
§ Quality assurance will be key to ensure that both the training and accreditation of quality and delivery are consistent across the volunteer sector.
Ambassador February 2011
6 THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE
Ambassador February 2011
Required:
§ GCSE or equivalent standard of education, including literacy and numeracy competence.
§ To be familiar with the management and motivation of volunteers.
§ Experience of delivering training to an accreditation level
§ Direct marketing or PR experience to manage external relationships and develop contact and opportunities for the service delivery.
§ Line management experience and geographical/ remote management experience.
§ Volunteer support and development and/or personal volunteering experience
§ An understanding of visual impairment issues and service requirements
§
Desirable:
§ Experience of working in a Programme/Project/Change Management environment
§ Understanding of the voluntary sector and local authorities
§ Excellent use of MS Office
Ambassador February 2011
7 SKILLS ACQUISITION & PRACTICE
Ambassador February 2011
§ Sound literacy and numeracy skills
§ Excellent planning and prioritisation skills
§ Methodical, well organised and efficient
§ Ability to achieve results without constant supervision
§ Strong problem solving skills, with sound judgement
§ Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships and business understanding with customers
§ Training skills
§ Accreditation of training.
§ Excellent communication skills
§ Excellent use of MS Office
§ Line management experience
§ Volunteering management skills
Ambassador February 2011
OTHER COMMENTS
Ambassador February 2011
§ Willingness to travel to other Guide Dogs/partner organisation offices with occasional overnight stays.
§ Flexible approach to working hours.
Ambassador February 2011
Ambassador February 2011
Ambassador February 2011