Job Description

POST:INSPIRE Project Co-ordinator (Fixed Term to 31.12.2018)

RESPONSIBLE TO:Strategic Lead, Founders Team

LOCATION:Oasis Centre, 1 Kennington Road, London, SE1 7QP

HOURS:Full time, 40 hours/week. Occasional evening and weekend working may be required but TOIL will be granted in accordance with current policy

JOB PURPOSE:To help design and implement INSPIRE flagship events, manage key stakeholder relationships and coordinate development of resources with external partners.

DISCLOSURE LEVEL:Enhanced

Organisational Context:

Background

With the threat of terrorism becoming a part of everyday life across the world and gang culture a characteristic of many communities in the UK, Oasis commissioned its Founder to develop thinking that would help the organisation respond to the issues that face both the communities it works in and those beyond Oasis. This resulted in Radical; a book which explores the reasons for the rise of extremist and gang behaviour and which points to a range of peaceful solutions, some of which now form part of the INSPIRE programme. For more details see appendix.

Against this background the INSPIRE programme has 3 key purposes:

  • INSPIRE is designed to equip schools and communities to support children and young people in finding a positive narrative for their lives; a sense of worth, direction and belonging which will enable them to live fulfilling, peaceful lives with the strength to resist the lure of gangs, violence, extremism and terror.
  • INSPIRE is designed to enable children and young people to develop core skills around active listening, conflict resolution, negotiation and community building as well as a respect for and celebration of diversity of religion and culture.
  • INSPIRE is designed to add value to the educational curriculum as well as respond to the PREVENT guidance in UK schools; supporting this through extra-curricular activities that have peace-making at their core and is integrated into local communities.

Context of Job:

The post holder will work as part of the new Oasis Foundation Team whose goal is specifically to help lead a change in society working with churches, Christian organisations, other faith and community groups, government, schools etc. and intentionally sharing what Oasis has learned over the past thirty years about the delivery of integrated, holistic community services to encourage and create its replication.

During the first few months of the contract it is anticipated that project co-ordination will be needed with additional projects ran by the Founder. The skills suitable for this work are commensurate with those detailed for the INSPIRE co-ordinate role and will be required on an ad-hoc basis for the first three months of the post. The projects include:

Harvest for Hope Project

Harvest for Hope was launched in 2015 to provide help to some of the million-plus Syrian refugees fleeing into Europe from war and terror. We have set a goal: to find some housing in South London and to welcome and support one or more refugee families as part of the government’sCommunity Sponsorship Scheme which was created by the Home Office in conjunction with UNHCR to house the most vulnerable families who have had to flee the war in Syria.

South Bank Churches have come together to raise money in order to purchase a property in Lambeth to house a family of five. This is a community-based project where members of churches, those who live locally have pledged to help buy a house, renovate and furnish it. We will then support the family in establishing home in the UK and ensuring they have every opportunity to being independent, resettled and healthy British citizens who have firm roots in their faith and culture.

Oasis Empower

Oasis ‘Empower: Overcoming Domestic Abuse’ – a global initiative to highlight the issue of and create support for the victims of domestic violence. This is a three year project grown out of our global hubs to help create holistic communities where those who have suffered, or are suffering from the effects of abuse or domestic violence have a safe place to belong. We will intent to train and equip out staff and volunteers, share best practice and develop a bespoke support programme.

Unaccompanied Minors

Working alongside the Department for Education and the Home Office, we will be looking into accommodation options within Local Authorities for 16-18 year olds who are unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee children. This project is in its infancy and we are looking forward to scoping out the work and creating a delivery framework in the coming months.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Event Planning and Resource Development:

  • Manage coordination and development of INSPIRE flagship event contentfor use at our host cathedrals and other venues.
  • Co-author and develop event toolkitfor flagship events as well as local event hosts, schools and voluntary groups.
  • Liaise with designer and web developer for creation of INSPIRE website and resource portal.
  • Co-ordinate creation of resources between core project partners in accordance with INSPIRE vision and objectives.
  • Co-ordinate with partner organisations to harness existing KS3/4 resources for use in curricular and as part of a school’s SMSC strategy.
  • Co-ordinate the design of youth-led resources for community-school events, in-school projects and accreditation routes.
  • Work with the INSPIRE core steering group to develop resources around community peace project ideas that create a legacy of peacemaking and community cohesion for use with schools, churches and community youth groups – e.g., using sport, art, music etc.

Stakeholder Management and Communication:

  • Help devise and implement a PR and communications strategy for INSPIRE, to include website, social media, print and broadcast media and a full range of marketing materials.
  • Liaise with media partners, including the BBC, to focus on promotion of peace projects with local schools, churches and other voluntary group partnerships, including the development of national Peace Ambassador Awards.
  • Manage communication and co-ordination with flagship event organisers, dealing with queries and concerns, and acting as the first point of contact,
  • Continue to build and to day-to-day managethe existing relationships withnational delivery partners to help implement the INSPIRE vision.
  • Identify and develop partnerships with other external national organisations whose work aligns with - and could be amplified by becoming part of - the INSPIRE initiative.

Key Relationships:

Internal:

  • Oasis staff, including Academy Leads and Hub Leaders

External:

  • Senior representatives of stakeholder/partner organisations
  • Volunteers
  • Service Users

Responsibility for Resources:

Financial Management:

To work with delivery partners and service providers to create budgets for delivery of key project milestones (e.g. social media campaign and website development).

To be responsible for monitoring and managing project budgets.

Where necessary, to identify and coordinate applying for potential funds (trusts, grants or individual donors).

Physical:

  • To undertake national travel as necessary to deliver the project.

General duties:

  • To attend team meetings, departmental meetings and project meetings, as required.
  • To take every opportunity to raise support for Oasis.

Safeguarding children and young people:

  • Oasis is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including an enhanced DBS check.
  • The above responsibilities are subject to the general duties and responsibilities contained in the Statement of Conditions of Employment.

The duties of this post may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or level of responsibility entailed.

Signed:

Employee: / Line Manager:
Print Name / Print Name
Date / Date

Person Specification:

INSPIRE Project Co-ordinator

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications /
  • High grade pass in GSCE (or equivalent) in English and Maths
  • Project management qualification
/
  • Event management qualifications
  • Degree level qualification

Experience, Skills & Knowledge / Experience of event management
Experience of project management
Excellent oral/written communication skills
Evidence of independent work
Ability to manage a complex workload, to work independently and to tight deadlines.
Excellent prioritisation and time management skills to complete tasks.
Experience of working with and managing external and internal stakeholders and delivery partners
Experience of working on a dynamic project with varying work streams and objectives
Able to function in diverse settings and with a wide range of people to achieve results
Ability to manage and influenceproject partners’ expectations and deadlines for delivery of project milestones and objectives
Excellent presentation skills
Flexible approach to changing deadlines and priorities
The ability to manage a range of different responsibilities
Experience of managing budgets
Experience of working with volunteers
Experience of working on a national project / Experience in the third sector.
Understanding of education system and school culture in the UK
Experience of matrix management in a third sector organisation
Personal Qualities / Able to cope under pressure
Reliable and honest
Punctual
Confidential and sensitive to people in crisis
Open and inclusive embracing people of all faiths and lifestyles
  • High levels of intrinsic motivation
  • Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
  • Willingness to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.
  • Have a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos.
Quality focused in all aspects of work.