Gypsy and traveller support worker jobs

As Chief Executive, you will lead the staff team, be responsible for providing overall strategic direction, coordination and management of all CAP programmes. Partnership building is a key role to maximise our impact.

Church Action on Poverty is a medium sized social justice charity, with a vision for the UK to become a country where everyone can flourish free from poverty. We are an ecumenical organisation with a Christian ethos and roots in the churches who remain key partners for us. We support programmes across the UK improving the lives of people in poverty and create opportunities for those with lived experience to voice their concerns with the aim of educating the public to raise awareness and understanding in line with our charitable objectives.

Currently, our programmes are structured on the principles of dignity, agency and power. They comprise: supporting a network of 130 food pantries with a membership of over 50,000; enabling people with lived experience of poverty to speak truth to power and supporting churches to explore what it means to be a ‘church on the margins’ as well as playing a leading role in high profile national campaigns.

It is anticipated that the role will be varied and flexible, but will include:

• Assisting the CAP Council of Management in the development and implementation of the organisation's programmes, campaigns, partnership building and public affairs work. 

• Managing CAP's staff and resources in line with the organisation's agreed policies and priorities, and core values of collaboration, participation and empowerment. 

• Fundraising and organisational strategy to achieve our aims.

• Ensuring that people with lived experience of poverty are actively involved in all aspects of CAP's work. 

• Leading and line managing the Senior Leadership and Management Team.

• Working with the whole staff team to develop and implement strategies that build dignity, agency and power to end poverty.

Key responsibilities 

1. Supporting CAP's Council of Management in its governance function

• Maintaining regular contact with the CAP Chairperson and Officer Group. 

• Providing regular written reports to CAP's Council of Management and attending all meetings of the CAP Council of Management and Officers Group. 

• Agreeing and implementing an annual planning cycle with the Council of Management, in line with CAP’s strategic values and vision.

• Working with the chair and officers to ensure good governance of the organisation. 

2. Ensuring the effective management of CAP's staff team by: 

• Providing day-to-day management and support for the Senior Management and Leadership Team. 

• Holding oversight of the policies and procedures of the organisation and ensuring that they are up to date and fit for purpose 

• Setting the culture of the organisation, with a focus on promoting collaborative working, learning and staff wellbeing. 

3. Finance and fundraising

• Setting a clear, viable organisational and financial strategy and implement through

• Fundraising and relationship building to secure the resources needed for the programme work and campaigning.

• Formulating appropriate applications for programme funding.

• Providing resources for donors and churches to organise fundraising.

4. Programme Development

Leading the process of programme development within CAP in order to: 

• Promote new approaches to combating poverty, which build the dignity, agency and power of people and communities struggling against poverty. 

• Ensure that programmes have clearly identified aims, objectives and methods and that projects are monitored and evaluated. 

5. Partnership Building
Building partnerships and contribute to the shared leadership and development of a movement based on dignity, agency and power with people and struggling communities against poverty, by

• Working with a wide range of partners and people with lived experience, to connect and build networks of people and groups who are committed to challenging poverty.

• Ensuring that CAP works collaboratively, leading CAP's involvement in strategic coalitions, alliances and other movement building opportunities.

• Ensuring CAP’s work is informed by the insights of people with lived experience of poverty, as well as wider public policy, debate and research. 

• Ensuring that CAP’s views are shared with government, politicians, churches and others, where possible, led by people with lived experience of poverty.

6. Membership and supporters
Working with CAP’s Communications and Supporter Relations manager to ensure the recruitment and retention of members, donors and supporters by ensuring that: 

• CAP members are provided with regular mailings and appropriate support for local/national activity. 

• Ensuring that requests from CAP members and others for information and support are dealt with appropriately. 

• Overseeing resources for Challenge Poverty Week and Poverty Sunday

7. Public Profile
In collaboration with CAP's Council of Management and staff, ensuring that CAP maintains a high profile within both the church and secular media, including: 

• Ensuring CAP contributes effectively to public and media debate, including mainstream secular and church media, TV, radio and new/social media etc.

• Prioritising opportunities for people with lived experience to act as spokespeople and the public face for CAP.

• Attending and speaking at appropriate conferences and events making sure that CAP is represented at key events.

• Representing CAP views to national, regional and local government.

8. Theological Development
Facilitating the development of theological and other resources which reflect 

• the lived experience of people and communities struggling against poverty, biblical sources, personal faith and other theological writing.

• wider analysis of social, political and economic issues.

Accountability and relationships 

The Chief Executive is accountable to the elected Council of Management. Regular contact is maintained with the Officers Group, and in particular the Chair.

The Chief Executive provides line management to the other members of the Senior Leadership and Management Team, and works closely with other members of the CAP staff team, and external partners. 

Other details about employment

Duration: Permanent contract with six month probationary period.

Hours: 35 hours per week including occasional 'unsocial' hours, weekend working and overnight travelling for which Time Off in Lieu is provided.

Salary: Church Action on Poverty Salary Band L, starting at scale point 43 on the NJC scales (currently £52,805 pay award pending).  Rising by increments after 3 years and every 2 years thereafter to point 46 (currently £56,073), paid monthly on the 14th day of each month.

Pension: Church Action on Poverty operates the Nest auto-enrolment pension scheme, and contributes a 10% employer contribution provided the staff member commits to making a 5% employee contribution. 

Benefits: Simply Health Cash Plan, Working from Home allowance, Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, Staff Expenses Debits Cards, National Gym and Partner Discounts.

Holidays: 25 days’ annual leave pro rata (30 after five years’ service) plus statutory holidays. Office closure over New Year period on top of annual leave.

Location:  Hybrid working on a flexible basis from home with some time each week in the Manchester office. 

No CVs or other attachments please, only applications using our standard application form (available to download above) will be considered.