Cheviot Youth
POST TITLE:Community Volunteer & Participation Officer
LOCATION:Jedburgh
RESPONSIBLE TO:Manager
HOURS:20
One Year Fixed Term Contract
GENERAL ROLE
The Community Volunteer & Participation Officer will facilitate and support all aspects of Cheviot Youth’s Community Connections Project of community volunteering and participation work in Jedburgh and the surrounding villages.
In carrying out this role they will be responsible for all youth training, group work, committee work, volunteering, new group formation and playing an active role in the Youth Hub drop-in activities. They will work closely with the Manager of Cheviot Youth to ensure that targets and outcomes are met and that evaluation of the project is undertaken in an effective and efficient manner. They will also assist in the bringing together of different organisations in collaboration and partnership to ensure the success and sustainability of this Cheviot Youth project.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES
- To deliver a comprehensive high quality programme of community volunteering and participation for young people with particular reference to Jedburgh.
- To recruit and support adult volunteers called Community Connection Ambassadors.
- To be responsible for the training and support where appropriate of all young people paying special attention to the training and support needs of young people in groups, committees and on volunteer led projects.
- To encourage and support youth community volunteering opportunities through peer mentoring, group work and one to one sessions.
- To help deliver chosen volunteer led projects with the support of the Manager and other Cheviot Youth staff.
- To help source, develop, deliver and promote a range of participation tools and training sessions to young people with the support of the Manager and other Cheviot Youth staff.
- To ensure that all opportunities are made available to link the extra curriculum award system to all volunteering activities paying particular attention to Youth Achievement, Dynamic Youth Awards and Saltire.
- To create, develop and plan an administrative structure to ensure effective running of the participation and engagement function.
- To help and support the running of the Jethart Youth Hub drop-in sessions.
- To maintain accurate and up to date information systems on all aspects of the youth community engagement and participation programme.
- To prepare written reports, help towards policy work and contribute to organisational action plans
- To fulfil Cheviot Youth’s requirements in relation to receiving training and organisational development
- To research, plan and work with other organisations to develop opportunities for multi-agency working ensuring the best most effective range of services for young people.
- To be available to work throughout the Cheviot locality where the need arises.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- To observe all Health & Safety requirements
- To work with Cheviot Youth policies in relation to Equal Opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice
- The post holder will receive regular recorded support and supervision sessions from the Manager
- The post holder will be expected to undertake any additional and appropriate functions as required by Cheviot Youth Trustees.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST TITLE:Community Volunteer & Participation Officer
OFFICE:Jedburgh
LOCATION:Jedburgh ______
EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS
Desirable: Scottish Highers level or equivalent.
EXPERIENCE
Essential:
- Experience of working with young people as individuals or in groups in a variety of settings
- Experience of running volunteer programmes.
- Experience of generic youth work and project management
- Experience of community engagement and participation work.
- Experience of the recruitment, management and development of a volunteer programme.
Desirable:
- Experience of working with community/voluntary organisations
- Experience of developing and running training programmes.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential:
- An up to date knowledge of issues that affect young people
- Ability to initiate, develop and sustain effective relationships with people of all ages.
- Ability to create a supportive and safe environment for young people
- An understanding of the culture of participation
- An awareness and understanding of setting clear aims and objectives associated with youth service development
- An understanding and appreciation of the role of the volunteer in a charity setting.
- Aware of best practice guidelines in volunteering and youth work.
- Effective time management with the ability to work under pressure
- Excellent organisational skills
- Experience and an understanding of the value of monitoring and evaluation.
- Good IT skills
Desirable:
- Experience of developing community-based activities
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Essential:
- Good negotiating, communicationand inter-personal skills
- Experience of working as a member of a team
- Ability to motivate individuals and groups and inspire their confidence and trust
- A tactful and diplomatic approach to working in a multi-agency environment.
- An awareness of the need to dealwith sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
- Enthusiasm, commitment and stamina
- A flexible approach to working
OTHER:
Essential:
- This post necessitates daytime, evening and occasional weekendwork
- Willing to travel regionally as appropriate
- Holder of a clean full driver’s license and car owner