October 2010

A chara

Thank you for your interest in the post of Director. Please find enclosed an application form for this post.

The London Irish Women's Centre has been in existence for over twenty eight years. It has a strong track record of dedication to getting a better deal for Irish women in London and has provided a range of vital services to clients.

The organisation is continuing its development with the Management Committee and staff working together to ensure that the Centre remains relevant and focussed on the needs of Irish women in London. Substantial funding support from both the London Councils and the Emigrant Support Programme of the Irish Government has enabled us to build on our successful front-line services and to expand our policy work representing and empowering Irish women to take part in shaping their own future in London.

To help you with your application for this challenging and rewarding post we have enclosed:

  • Job Description
  • Person Specification
  • Application Form

You should return your application by email (preferable) to Caroline Foulkes - or by post to London Irish Women's Centre, 59 Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 0AR. The closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 1st November 2010.

Please note that this post is restricted to women of Irish birth, Irish origin, or who consider themselves to be of Irish ethnicity under section 7.2 (e) of the Sex Discrimination Act and section 5 (2) (d) of the Race Relations Act. All staff are required to have a satisfactory enhanced CRB Disclosure which can be arranged by LIWC.

Yours faithfully

Caroline Foulkes

Administrator

Job Description

Post Director

Hours 35 hours per week

Location 59 Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 0AR

Supervised by Management Committee

Salary £38,575 incl ILW plus 7.5% employer’s pension contribution after probationary period

Fixed term contract: 31 July 2011 (thereafter subject to funding)

Summary

This fixed term contract is offered as the post is fully funded to 31/7/11 and continuation is dependent upon successful funding applications. The Director will have responsibility for developing the services and supervising the staff as well as securing the financial and operational future of the Centre. The leadership of the Director will provide the vision and drive to position LIWC at the heart of current policy making, connecting the Centre with the Irish community agenda, the wider voluntary sector and key statutory agencies. The post will be confirmed subject to satisfactory completion of a three month probationary period.

Responsibilities to 31/7/2011

  1. Funding and Financial Management
  • Take overall responsibility for developing the fundraising strategy for LIWC
  • Make applications to funders to meet the needs of current services and carry forward the strategic objectives of the organisation.
  • Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the funding environment and of new opportunities.
  • Report to funders as required.
  • Create and manage budgets and oversee the financial systems of the organisation; ensure that LIWC’s policies and practices are in keeping with legislative requirements and good practice.
  • Monitor the financial position of LIWC and ensure that the Management Committee receives regular information on finances and cash flow.
  • Liaise with existing and potential fundersand ensure that they are provided with appropriate information about the work of LIWC
  • Continue to expand the public profile of LIWC, marketing the Centre and its services, including overseeing the website.
  • Liaise with the local and specialist press and other media outlets as appropriate.
  • Represent the organisation at public events and functions.
  1. Management & Development of Staff
  • Line manage the staff at LIWC through regular supervision and appraisal ensuring maintenance of appropriate quality standards.
  • Work with the staff to provide for their personal and professional development.
  • Ensure that LIWC is aware of and following the requirements of new employment and health & safety legislation and best practice in human resource management.
  • Ensure that adequate administrative and organisational resources are available to meet front-line service needs.
  • Work with the Management Committee and contracted Peninsula Business Services to ensure that staffing policies and procedures are kept up-to-date.
  • Deal with clients where other staff are unable to do so.
  1. Strategic & Project Development
  • Work with the Management Committee and staff to develop the strategic direction of LIWC from 2011-2016.
  • Continue to develop new working partnerships with the Irish voluntary sector, women’s organisations and other relevant statutory and voluntary sector organisations.
  • Represent LIWC and its clients in local and London wide networks.
  • Service and work with the development needs of the Management Committee
  • Ensure that legal obligations and duties of the organisation are met, including those relating to charitable and limited company status.
  1. Other Duties
  • The post holder will be required to undertake any other duties as directed by the Management Committee in line with the exigencies of the service.
  • Occasional evening and weekend work may be required, for which time off in lieu will be granted.

Person Specification

DIRECTOR

Essential / Desirable / Measured by
Education /
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
/
  • Degree level qualification/s
/ Application, interview and certificates
Experience /
  • 3 years experience as a senior manager in voluntary or statutory sector
  • Experience of fundraising from trusts and statutory bodies
  • Experience of managing and motivating teams, setting targets and delivering organisational objectives.
  • Forward planning in small to medium organisations
  • Producing and Managing budgets
/
  • Some experience of the Irish community sector and/or women’s organisations
  • Developing partnership approaches with other agencies
/ Application and interview
Skills & Abilities /
  • Understanding of IT functions and systems
  • Highly motivated and a resilient self-starter
  • Ability to communicate at all levels including public speaking / presentations
  • Ability to lead and motivate a team
  • Ability to set and monitor performance
  • Ability to delegate and manage
  • Good innovative and organisational skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Sensitive to the needs of Irish people and a commitment to equal opportunities
  • Ability to work with minimum supervision
  • Ability to negotiate and influence
/ Application and interview
Knowledge /
  • Knowledge of funding streams for voluntary organisations
  • Knowledge of legal requirements relating to the employment of staff
  • Knowledge of budget compilation and management accounts
/
  • voluntary sector structures and best practice
/ Application and interview
Leadership /
  • lead and develop strategic planning
  • experience of tackling and resolving issues
  • champion change and continuous improvement
  • make clear and well understood decisions
  • develop and implement new projects
/ Interview

JOB APPLICATION FORM

Post applied for:

Where did you see this advertised?

PERSONAL DETAILS

NAME
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
HOME
MOBILE
EMAIL
DATE OF BIRTH

EDUCATION

DATE / SUBJECT / LEVEL/QUALIFICATION
DATE / SUBJECT / LEVEL/QUALIFICATION

TRAINING

Please tell us about any other training or courses which may be relevant, or membership of a professional organisation.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Please outline how your skills, qualifications and experience are relevant to this position.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

DATE / EMPLOYER / POSITION / DUTIES / REASON FOR LEAVING / SALARY

HEALTH

Do you have a health problem or disability which is relevant to your application?

Summarise any serious illnesses, operations or disabilities:

Number of days sickness in past two years:

On how many occasions:

DISCIPLINE

Please detail any disciplinary procedures pending or disciplinary record in last 24 months:

CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS

Do you have any criminal convictions?

If yes, please give further information:

REFERENCES

Please give full contact details for two referees, one of whom must be your most recent employer. All appointments are subject to receipt of satisfactory references.

NAME
POSITION
ORGANISATION
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
EMAIL
RELATIONSHIP TO APPLICANT
NAME
POSITION
ORGANISATION
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
EMAIL
RELATIONSHIP TO APPLICANT

If you were offered this position how soon could you start?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please use this space to provide any further information to support your application.

Please feel free to expand the boxes or continue on additional sheets. Short listing will be based on the information you have provided and successful candidates will be those who most closely fit the person specification. Please note that not all your experience need have been gained in paid employment. If you have any questions about your application please contact the Centre on 020 7249 7318.

Return this form by email (preferable) to -

Or by post to The Administrator, LIWC 59 Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 0AR

Equal Opportunities Monitoring

LIWC keeps records of all applicants to ensure that everyone is treated fairly regardless of their race, gender, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, creed or age. This information will be detached from applications and will not be used in the selection process.

Please describe your ethnic origin:

Gender:

Age:

Do you have a disability: