Christian Jobs
Rugby foodbank's Engagement Officer will oversee the smooth running and operation of the foodbank, with concern for its operational efficiency and standards in accordance with The Trussell Trust franchise model. In partnership with the Service Delivery Manager, guide the development of the foodbank project, including its material resources, financial assets, reputation, partnerships and volunteer body. The Engagement Officer will have a key role in the delivery and development of Rugby foodbank and the growth of its services. They will be responsible for building relationships with key stakeholders including volunteers, food and financial donors, partner referral agencies plus community and business groups. The right candidate will be an effective communicator who will work hard to create a positive environment for volunteers, clients, agencies and donors maximising opportunities for engagement.
At Hope4 we believe that everyone has the right to have a place to call ‘home’, somewhere that is safe, secure and sustainable, and enough food even when in a crisis. We also believe that everyone should have the chance to realise their hopes and ambitions. In order to achieve these aims we run the Hope Centre and Rugby foodbank which is part of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks. Hope4 is the overarching charity name overseeing all operations of the Hope Centre and Rugby Foodbank.
As a charity, our clients are at the heart of what we do. Although Rugby is a small market town, in 2023 we supported over 190 people at our Day Centre and provided over 7500 foodbank food parcels. Our staff and volunteers are crucial to making this happen. We currently employ 8 members of staff and have 80+ people regular volunteers.
The charity was founded by the churches across the town and continues to hold to Christian principles working to address poverty, primarily homelessness and food poverty in the Borough of Rugby. The churches, as the Revive network, support the work we do both with funding and providing many of our volunteers. Our staff and volunteers support these values and ethos irrespective of belief or background.
We are looking for someone who can work as a flexible team member and with the ability to share and balance duties according to the needs and opportunities of the organisation. You will be an outgoing self-starter who is confident working on their own initiative as well as part of a wider team. Your key skill will be the ability to work with all types so people from every kind of background because you will be engaging with volunteers, clients, trustees and external agencies such as churches, schools and businesses. It will be varied and is pivotal in ensuring the smooth and successful day-to-day running of the foodbank.
Main Responsibilities:
Stakeholder contact: this is a people orientated post
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To be responsible for quality customer service, dealing with all the communication requirements of the foodbank
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To be responsible for dealing sensitively, appropriately and confidentially with the range of complex and challenging issues presented by any of our stakeholders.
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To lead with recruitment, induction and support of volunteers as required
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To support and actively engage with varied stakeholders including faith groups, local businesses and statutory and non-statutory organisations
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To support and liaise with volunteer teams on a day-to-day basis
Service Delivery and Promotion:
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Support and actively promote services and maintain and develop positive relationships with stakeholders, to encourage continuity and to aid growth
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Be the point of contact and the face of Rugby foodbank for stakeholders
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Support and complete tasks in a timely and accurate fashion
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Further develop signposting resource and engage with external agencies to form partnerships for sign posting opportunities
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Work with our Financial Inclusion Support Worker regarding client income maximisation
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Work with our social medica content lead to support promotional activity
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Assist in the organisation of annual events such as open days, AGM, cultural celebrations such as Harvest Festival and Christmas and supermarket collection days and volunteer thank you events
General Duties:
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To work well as part of a staff team
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To deal with the day-to-day administration of Rugby foodbank via phone, email, in person, with all stakeholders,
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To organise and oversee volunteer rotas; deliver new agency induction training; organise food collections at Harvest, Christmas and adhoc at supermarkets; deliver talks about the foodbank to churches and other community groups and businesses
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To attend Trussell Trust conferences and training days
To work as part of a team to support the overall delivery of Hope4’s activities:
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Build positive relationships with Hope4’s stakeholders including staff, trustees and volunteers
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Undertake any other reasonable requests by management, consistent with the nature of the service
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Ensure that all work is delivered in line with contractual obligations and in accordance with best practice of Hope4
General:
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All information and data to be maintained in accordance with Hope4 policies and procedures, and within GDPR principles
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Undertake identified training within specified timelines and maintain current operational knowledge where required, such as safeguarding
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To be an active and effective team member including both those at Rugby Foodbank, the Hope Centre and those organisations supporting our work eg referral agencies, food and financial donors
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To work some hours, where needed, outside of normal office hours (including evenings and weekends)
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Participate in supervision and annual appraisal, and identify your own job-related development and training needs
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Safeguarding – an awareness of Safeguarding for children and adults and/or a willingness to undertake training
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To be an ambassador for Hope 4 within the wider community
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.