JobDescription

Position:Dog Fighting Programme Manager

Responsibleto:Chief Operating Officer

Workswith:COO, Chief Executive, Head of Intelligence, other League staff, external organisations and representatives, and other interested parties.

Grade: 3

Location:The role is based in the League’s Head Office in Godalming.

Duration:One year contract

Overview

The Dog Fighting Programme Manager is a new post. It includes the co-ordination of the investigations and rehabilitation capabilities as well as oversight of the campaigning and media strategies to enable effective change and realisation of projected benefits.

The role is crucial for creating and maintaining focus, enthusiasm and momentum. The Programme Manager is responsible for the overall integrity and coherence of the programme. They will develop and maintain the programme environment to support each individual project within it – through effective programme management and project management processes.

The post holder will develop a strong network of individuals and organisations who can work with the League to help protect the lives of dogs that have been affected by dog fighting. The post holder will also be the project sponsor for the development and delivery of material to educate the public and those working in a professional capacity with dogs in order to raise awareness of the issue.

The League is Britain's leading charity working to stop animals being abused and killed for ‘sport’. The League was instrumental in helping bring about the landmark Hunting Act. We carry out investigations which expose law-breaking and cruelty, work to change attitudes and behaviour through education, campaign for stronger laws and penalties, and manage sanctuaries which protect wildlife.

Purpose of the Job:

  • To have oversight of the League’s existing undercover investigations into dog fighting, to work with specialist contractors to ensure they are on track with objectives and legally sound
  • To provide strategic direction and handle any media activity relating to the investigation.
  • To lead on the development of a strategy for the rescue and rehabilitation of dogs involved in dog fighting, and to oversee and implement this strategy.
  • Planning and designing the programme and proactively monitoring its progress, resolving issues and initiating appropriate corrective action.
  • To chair and co-ordinate a Dog Fighting Task Force
  • Ensuring effective quality assurance and the overall integrity of the programme – focusing on the internal consistency and promoting collaboration between internal teams
  • Managing the programme’s budget, monitoring expenditure and costs against delivered and realised benefits as the programme develops
  • Ensuring delivery of new products and services from projects is to the appropriate level of quality, on time and within budget, in accordance with the programme plan and governance arrangements
  • Ensuring there is allocation of resources and skills within the programme’s individual projects
  • To manage the risk assessment register and monitor, review and evaluate on-going initiatives that contribute to decision making for achieving objectives.
  • To establish an advisory group including legal and veterinary professionals in order to ensure the League’s rescue and rehabilitation framework is workable and legally robust.
  • To build a network of individuals and organisations to support the rescue the League’s dog fighting programme.
  • To identify and develop opportunities in relation to the League’s dog fighting education programme, and to work with the appropriate team to deliver the training inputs to groups including rescue workers, veterinary professionals and the police.
  • To identify and develop other opportunities for community engagement which will promote a positive image of the types of dogs most likely to be affected by dog fighting in order to educate the public and effect cultural change.
  • Work with the COO on the transition to the new business as usual position
  • Participate in meetings and report progress of the programme at regular intervals
  • Maintain and create effective working relationships within the League and its stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, Trustees and external consultants.

Role-holder Profile

Skills
/Knowledge / Essential / Desirable
Professional and Technical Qualifications /
  • Significant experience in running projects and programmes
/
  • Project management qualification

Experience and Knowledge /
  • Have practical experience in designing, setting up and coordinating projects
  • Proven experience of planning and organising workloads and delivering on project objectives.
  • Knowledge of animal welfare issues
  • Excellent judgement and creative problem solving skills, including negotiation
  • Media and communications experience
  • Have practical experience in delivering presentations to diverse audiences.
  • Proven experience of effective report writing and making recommendations for action.
  • Good knowledge of budgeting and resource allocation procedures
  • Sufficient seniority and credibility to advise project teams on their projects in relation to the programme
  • The ability to find ways of solving or pre-empting problems
/
  • Knowledge of dog-related legislation, particularly the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and Animal Welfare Act 2006.
  • Experience of working with local government authorities, local police forces, members of the veterinary profession and dog rescue workers.
  • Experience in training or education delivery.

Skills and Competencies /
  • Able to lead, inspire, motivate influence others to achieve the League’s objectives.
  • Sensitive and effective interpersonal skills – able to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with staff and other stakeholders
  • Good knowledge of techniques for planning, monitoring and controlling programmes
  • Sound business case development and approvals skills
  • Able to generate solutions, analyse and understand issues and make effective recommendations.
  • Confident and effective communication skills.
  • Intermediate MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
/
  • Advanced MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook competence

Personal Characteristics

1.A genuine empathy and compassion for animals and commitment to the objectives and purpose of the League;

2.An understanding of and commitment to the values of accountability, openness and diversity;

3.Excellent interpersonal skills to be able to talk to anyone ina diplomatic yet inspiring way. A credible, approachable person that is authoritative and canbuildrapportandsupportfortheLeague where it isneeded.

4.The ability to work in challenging environments with resilience and manages challenges in an emotionally mature way.

5.The ability to adapt your response accordingly to changing needs and circumstances.