ANGELUS Project Aware Project Officer – Creating drug aware communities and young people including new and emerging drugs

Job Description and Person Specification

Job Title: Project Officer – Project Aware

We are looking for an experienced and self-motivated project officer to deliver this innovative project that creates ‘legal high’ and drug aware towns, communities and young people. This is a new project that sets out to engage with local communities, young people and other organisations to develop ways to ensure they are resilient to the threat of change in the drugs market. Angelus is noted for its work on new psychoactive substances, so-called 'legal highs', and along the way we have seen how important it is for communities to be proactive to the challenges these changes on the drug scene present.

The work will initially be carried out in Luton but if successful will be expanded to other areas. The post-holder will spend considerable time in Luton initially delivering the programme and creating capacity amongst local groups and organisations.

Scope and Objectives

This role is a hands on role which requires sensitivity, knowledge of drugs and new psychoactive substances, experience of working creatively with young people and communities and the ability to innovate. The post holder will deliver the project on the ground, assisted by other Angelus staff and volunteers. The project is initially based in Luton and will then if successful be rolled out to four other areas where additional resources will be added. As this is a pilot programme with plans to roll it out to other towns and communities the post holder will need to understand the bigger picture of what is to be achieved, be able to tune in to changes in the drugs' landscape and adjust actions in the programme to take these into account.

The objectives of the role are to:

  • Deliver the 'Aware' programme in a local community. This will involve working directly with some young people to help them create drug/NPS safe messages, work with other organisations to dovetail activity with their work, deliver training packages in schools and to other community groups,
  • Roll the project out to other communities once the initial pilot is complete.
  • In the third phase of the project develop materials and share these with others through training and on-line.
  • Ensure information and data across the pilot is kept up to date and readily available.
  • Create materials that give out appropriate messages
  • Work closely with partners to ensure they are equipped to take the project forward when Angelus's work is done.
  • Ensure effective communication with all partners.
  • Provide support for the reference groups for the projects.

Specific Responsibilities:

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Be the first point of contact for all agencies involved in the 'Aware' programme.
  2. Build and maintain excellent relationships with all key partners ensuring all partners are kept up to date with project development and delivery plans
  3. Organise and co-ordinate reference group meetings and ensure agendas and notes from all meetings are co-ordinated and readily available.
  4. Work with partner agencies to help them develop their new psychoactive substances awareness and approaches.
  5. Deliver sessions in school and in other setting about new psychoactive substances.
  6. Work with young people directly to equip them to create their own messages through film, social media and other methods.
  7. Keep up to date records of pilot progress and ensure project plans are up dated as and when required
  8. Keep the budget up to date.
  9. Maintain dialogue with partners, being the first point of contact, to identify and support any local issues, reporting to the Communications and Operations Director where necessary
  10. Collate, record and manage all data ensuring the project database and records are up to date at all times
  11. Together with the Communications and Operations Director, ensuring that the Angelus website is up to date and regularly populated with new copy.
  12. Ensure timely and effective communication with the rest of the pilot team, including regular one to one’s with the Director of Communications and Operations

Person Specification

Criteria / Essential
Qualifications /
  • Good standard of education including English and Maths GCSE at level A-C

Experience and abilities /
  • Ability to develop and deliver a community project
  • Experience of working directly with young people and with communities.
  • Ability to manage stakeholder relations
  • Ability to collate reports for funders and external stakeholders
  • Able to manage a budget
  • Able to write copy for websites and newsletters

Skills and Knowledge /
  • Excellent written and communication skills
  • Knowledge of illicit and new psychoactive substances.
  • Good presenting, negotiating and influencing skills
  • Excellent inter-personal skills, able to work well with colleagues and external stakeholders at all levels, including head teachers.
  • Strong IT skills
  • An approachable and engaging communication style both through email and on the telephone
  • Very organised with excellent attention to detail
  • Able to stay calm and problem solve under pressure

Other factors /
  • Committed to the overall aims of Angelus and the Aware programme
  • Flexible and agile
  • Willingness to travel and work flexible hours as demanded by the post

Summary of Terms and Conditions

Job Title: / Project Officer – Aware
Term: / This post is funded initially for one year with the intention to fund over at least three years.
Start Date: / As soon as possible
Salary: / £25,000 - £30,000 p.a.
Hours: / 35 hours per week, occasional out of hours working, overnight stays and some travel across the country although initially a lot of work will take place in Luton. Our office is in London E1.
Annual Leave: / 25 days per annum plus bank holidays.
Probation: / There is a standard probationary period of 6 months
Pension: / There is not yet a pension scheme within Angelus. In line with Government requirements we will be establishing a scheme in 2017.

Applying for the Job

If you are interested in this post and want to find out more please contact Emily Hicks on initially.

Please apply by CV and covering letter with two referees by 7 April. Please ensure you address how you meet the person specification for the job and what you feel you would contribute to our work. Applications can be sent to or posted to Angelus Foundation, 54 Commercial St, London, E1 6LT.

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