JOB VACANCY / Arthritis Champion Project Co-ordinator
DIRECTORATE / Nations & Services
APPLICATIONS TO /
CLOSING DATE / 10.00am on Friday 15 August 2014
PROVISIONAL INTERVIEW DATES: / Week commencing 18 August 2014
We can offer some flexibility on the interview dates bearing in mind that this in during the holiday season.
DATE
AUGUST 2014

CONTENTS

  1. INTRODUCTION FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
  1. OVERVIEW OF THE ARTRITIS CHAMPIONS CAMPAIGN IN NORTH ENGLAND
  1. JOB DESCRIPTION
  1. PERSON SPECIFICATION
  1. APPLICATION FORM – see separate attachment
  1. STRATEGIC PLAN – separate attachment

August 2014

Dear candidate

Thank you for your interest in the role with Arthritis Care.

I joined Arthritis Care in August 2013. From the moment I arrived, I have been impressed by the deep seated commitment of our staff and volunteers, many of whom have direct and personal experience of arthritis. This helps us to stay true to one of our key values – never losing sight of what it means to live with arthritis – and means you are applying to join a truly value-led organisation.

While the organisation has achieved much in the past, it doesn’t stop us wanting to achieve so much more in the future. I have been working closely with our Board of Trustees, our Senior Management Team, our staff, volunteers and members alike in developing a new Strategic Plan. This Plan, a copy of which I have included in the application pack, will enable us to move into the next phase of our development, creating a legacy that will mean touching the lives of more people affected by arthritis. You would be joining us at a very significant time.

The successful delivery of our strategic plan is entirely dependent upon the efforts of the dedicated people who work in our organisation both as paid staff and volunteers. I expect everyone to give their best but in return I want them to work in an organisation where they receive the support they need to do their jobs effectively. To that end we have a performance development review process with regular opportunities for feedback and identifying learning and development needs. I am committed to ensuring that people in our organisation understand what we are trying to achieve as an organisation with those affected by arthritis at the heart of what we do. More importantly, I believe that people should have an appropriate work life balance and enjoy working in our organisation - I am delighted that in a recent survey over 95% of people said they enjoy working here and I am one of them.

Arthritis Care is an exciting and challenging place to work and there is much more to do as we enter the latest phase of our organisation’s development. If you have the skills and experience that we are looking for – and want to work in an organisation that will value you - I hope that you will consider applying for this vacancy.

Yours sincerely

Judi Rhys

Chief Executive

August 2014

Re: Arthritis Champion Project Co-ordinator Posts

Dear Candidate,

An exciting opportunity has arisen for Arthritis Care enabling us to expand our delivery of our Champion Programme in the north of England and we are seeking two project Co-ordinators to join our team.

Both posts are 0.6 FTE, home-based and fixed term for 9 months/1 year in the first instance with possibility of extension to 3 years. Each post will cover one of the following clinical commissioning group areas:

1.North Leeds*

2.Greater Huddersfield and North Kirklees

*This post is 9 months in the first instance.

Reporting to the Project Manager, the post holders will fully co-ordinate Arthritis Care’s Arthritis Champion Programme and meet agreed targets in a given locality.

The Arthritis Care Community Champion Programme

Piloted in West Cheshire through funding from the Charities Aid foundation during 2013, the Arthritis Care Community Champion Programme aims to increase awareness and self-management of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. Working alongside community groups and health and social care professionals trained Champion volunteers provide face to face contact at local drop-in points giving people with arthritis access to:

  • Information – web based and paper
  • Self-management techniques
  • Local service signposting

Community Champions also signpost to and/or facilitate the following services:

Champion One2Ones - tailored service offering clients affected by arthritis:

  • The opportunity to talk with a trained One2Ones Champion who will help them identify exactly what they need help with, and then support them to set their own goals or plans to improve the situation
  • Up to six individual sessions taking place over the phone or face to face by arrangement

Chat4Change - group telephone self-management and befriending offering

  • Telephone self management support for people with arthritis
  • Seven weekly sessions in a telephone group setting plus a reunion

Arthritis Awareness - introductory session for health professionals and social care staff working with people with arthritis offering

  • Information about arthritis and living with the condition
  • Self-management tips
  • How Arthritis Care can help

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for more information.

For an informal discussion about the Project Co-ordinator role please contact me on 01772 286 234. Please leave your name and contact number if I am unable to answer the phone and I will return your call.

Completed application forms should be emailed to by 10.00 am on Friday 15 August 2014

Interviews will take place in the Leeds area during the week of 18 August.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes

SA Newsham

Susan Newsham

Area Development Manager, North England

Job Title / Arthritis Champion Project Co-ordinator
Hours of work / Part Time - 21 hours per week
Contract / Fixed Term until July 2015 with possible extension to 2017
Location / Home based – North England
Vacancies covering North East, North Kirklees and Leeds
Salary / c£20,500 FTE
Reports to / Arthritis Champion Project Manager
Responsible for / Volunteers within the Arthritis Champion Programme

3. JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB PURPOSE
To plan and co-ordinate all aspects of Arthritis Care’s Arthritis Champion Programme within a designated area and/or within a specific project.
To work with other co-ordinators and supervisors to ensure there is consistency within Arthritis Care’s range of Champion services
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
  • To ensure adequate numbers of volunteers are recruited and appropriately trained, accredited, supported and supervised to fulfil the tasks and service provision
  • Liaise with the national admin team to ensure effective administration flow and fulfil monitoring and evaluation requirements of services within the programme
  • Ensure that quality assurance and reporting requirements are met
  • Attend service meetings where appropriate
  • Promote the Champion programme to statutory and community partners
  • Promote the project using social and local media within Arthritis Care’s guidelines
  • Attend and encourage volunteers to attend local CCG and other consultations to promote the programme and ensure the voice of people with arthritis is heard
  • Receive referrals, make contact with participants and ensure excellent participant experience
  • Plan and co-ordinate self management support programmes, contributing to delivery as required, in response to needs and project contract requirements
  • Provide input to ongoing development of service programmes and processes, contributing to updates and innovations to ensure the needs of people with arthritis are understood and addressed
  • Ensure adherence to corporate policies and procedures, including essential data security, to manage risk and ensure high quality services
  • Undertake any other duties reasonably requested by the Project Manager to ensure service continuity and adequate cover provided.

PLANNING AND ORGANISATION
  • Organise appropriate and necessary training and supervisions of volunteers.
  • Work with the Project Manager to manage the project plan ensuring provision of self-management support services, including planning and organising all aspects of service delivery.
  • Plan and organise administration, monitoring and reporting against monthly programmes and targets, providing timely reports on activity as agreed
  • Maintain secure records and data relating to patient information.

PROBLEM SOLVING
  • Identify requirements for human resources and address through local recruitment.
  • Respond to service commissioners’ and participants’ requirements during service delivery, alone and in collaboration with the Project Manager
  • Deal with individual issues and problems experienced by volunteers

DECISION MAKING
  • Review and take action, where appropriate, regarding recruitment and overall volunteer capacity to deliver in the designated area
  • Advise and respond to local volunteers in relation to aspects of service provision.
  • Ensure all policies covering Disclosure and Barring Service, Health & Safety, Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults, Quality Assurance and deployment of volunteers are communicated, understood and adhered to.

KEY CONTACTS
  • Regular contact with volunteers
  • Advising and regular reporting to Project Manager on progress
  • NHS and other public sector employees in relation to service delivery and outcomes
  • Service participants

  1. PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title / Arthritis Champion Project Co-ordinator
Date / July 2014
EXPERIENCE (including paid work and voluntary)
Essential:
  • Experience of providing or supervising the provision of self-management support and guidance
  • Experience of recruiting, training, supervising and supporting volunteers
Desirable:
  • Some experience in a role delivering training
  • Some experience of developing adult learners
  • Some experience of managing volunteers with disabilities

EDUCATION
Educated to A level or equivalent

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

  • Project management skills including the organisation of service provision
  • Good people management skills including feedback and coaching skills
  • Ability to engage and motivate volunteers
  • Excellent team working skills
  • Excellent verbal communication skills, including listening skills
  • Well organised
  • Basic administrative skills
  • Good training delivery skills

KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

  • Good knowledge of best practice in the field of volunteer supervision
Desirable:
  • Knowledge of the social model of disability
  • Good knowledge of best practice in the field of self-management
  • Broad awareness of equal opportunities issues

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Essential:
  • Willingness to work flexibly, including some evening and weekend work
  • Willingness to travel daily throughout the designated geographical area, and occasionally to other parts of the UK (some overnight stays may feature)
  • Access to use of a car or suitable alternative means of transport