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We're looking for an experienced and passionate Development Manager - Inclusion & Community Development to join our Partnerships Team. This is a unique opportunity to combine strategic leadership, community development and organisational development support, helping create a more inclusive Somerset where everyone has the opportunity to belong, participate and thrive.

 We’re on a mission to help change lives and build healthy, resilient communities in Somerset.

We do this by supporting and championing voluntary and community organisations and providing a range of services, training and advice. We also believe that everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and so we work with local partners to provide volunteering opportunities for all. 

Pivotal to our success in this mission is our talented team of Development Managers, who provide strategic leadership, organisational development support and capacity building across Somerset’s VCFSE sector. They work proactively with organisations, partnerships and communities to strengthen governance, leadership, sustainability and inclusive practice, creating the conditions for organisations and communities to thrive. 

Working across the county, you will bring a broad range of skills, knowledge and experience to the role with core community development principles at the heart of everything you do.

You will need to be flexible, adaptable and creative, representing the organisation, promoting our services, facilitating forums and networking events and developing partnerships with relevant stakeholders. As a key member of the Bright Sparks team, you will need to be curious, tenacious, politically aware – and equally comfortable working with grass roots groups as you would be representing Spark and the wider VCFSE at strategic meetings.

Key responsibilities 

 With ever changing trends and challenges within the VCFSE sector and the wider community, this role requires flexibility, a can-do attitude, independent thinking and an entrepreneurial spirit. The responsibilities below give a broad overview of the role, but the postholder will also use their insights and expertise to shape the priorities according to community need.

This is a strategic Development Manager role, combining organisational development, partnership leadership and people management responsibilities. Approximately two days per week will be focused on providing leadership and oversight of Spark Somerset’s contribution to the Welcome to All partnership, including management of the Welcome to All Development Worker, stakeholder engagement and ensuring the voice of lived experience informs programme development and decision-making. The remainder of the role will focus on strengthening Somerset’s VCFSE sector through organisational development support, helping organisations build strong governance, inclusive leadership, sustainability and equitable practice. 

•  Provide line management, supervision and professional development support to the Welcome to All Development Worker, ensuring clear priorities, effective delivery, wellbeing support and ongoing development. 
• As part of the Development Management Team, provide strategic organisational development support to voluntary and community organisations, promoting strong governance, inclusive leadership and equitable practice, with particular attention to people and communities who may experience exclusion, marginalisation or additional barriers to participation. 
• Lead Spark Somerset’s contribution to the Welcome to All partnership, ensuring activity is delivered in line with agreed objectives, outcomes and organisational priorities. 
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with partners across the public, voluntary and community sectors, identifying opportunities for collaboration, system improvement and increased inclusion across Somerset. 
• Represent Spark Somerset at strategic meetings, forums and partnerships, advocating for the needs of the VCFSE sector and promoting inclusive approaches to community development. 
• Identify emerging trends, challenges and opportunities affecting Somerset’s VCFSE sector and use this intelligence to influence programme development, organisational priorities and partnership activity. 

Welcome to All and Partnership Development 

• Work with Bristol Refugee Rights (BRR) and wider partners to develop and grow the Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG), reducing barriers to participation and ensuring lived experience is central to service development and decision-making.

• Provide strategic support and oversight to the development of the LEAG, ensuring lived experience meaningfully influences partnership priorities, service design and decision-making. 
• Identify and facilitate opportunities for training, development and skills-building for LEAG members. 
• Build capacity within Somerset’s VCFSE sector to enable organisations to work effectively and confidently with refugees, asylum seekers and people who have experienced displacement. 
• Facilitate stronger connections between Welcome to All hubs and local community provision, including volunteering opportunities, community groups, learning opportunities and support services. 
• Support voluntary organisations to identify and develop meaningful volunteering opportunities for displaced people. 
• Lead forums, network meetings, workshops and events that encourage collaboration, learning and good practice across the sector. 

Organisational Development, Governance and EDI 

• Deliver one-to-one and group-based organisational development support to VCFSE organisations, with a particular focus on governance, trustee effectiveness, organisational resilience and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). 

• Provide tailored organisational development support to VCFSE groups and organisations, helping them strengthen governance, leadership capacity, sustainability and inclusive practice. 
• Support organisations to assess and strengthen their policies, practices and organisational culture to create more equitable, diverse and inclusive environments. 
• Facilitate learning, peer support and development opportunities for trustees, senior leaders and staff teams to improve organisational effectiveness and inclusive leadership. 
• Lead the design and coordination of organisational development, governance and EDI learning programmes, drawing on partner expertise where appropriate. 
• Work collaboratively with the team to develop and deliver high-quality, accessible materials, training, workshops and support packages that meet emerging sector needs. 
• Support groups to network with other VCFSE organisations and connect with partnerships, funding opportunities and strategic priorities relevant to their work. 

Monitoring, Evaluation and Internal Collaboration 

• Monitor and report on outcomes, activities and impact against agreed programme objectives. 
• Help collect case studies, feedback and evidence demonstrating the impact of Welcome to All activity, organisational development support and community integration work. 
• Accurately capture and record activities, outcomes and support provided using Spark Somerset’s CRM system. 
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the charity, including the Somerset Youth Work Alliance, Mental Health Network, Dementia Partnership and other internal projects. 
• Provide facilitation, development and partnership support to the wider Partnerships Team, helping to amplify the voice and influence of Somerset’s VCFSE sector. 

 Responsibility of all staff: 

• To attend and actively participate in staff team meetings 
• To manage own time and workload effectively, whilst also working as part of a wider team 
• Undertake any other duties that may be reasonably required by the CEO and the Board 
• Promote and adhere to all policies adopted by the Board of Trusteesand keep abreast of changes in relevant policies and legislation
• Be aware of the work of other departments, and take an active part in communicating and working with staff departments for the aims of Spark Somerset 
• Be an active ambassador for Spark Somerset, its aims, objectives and values 
• Bring to the Senior Leadership Teams attention any opportunities and ideas which may increase income, efficiency and our vision within the company and community.

You will bring: 

• Experience of providing organisational development support to VCSE organisations, particularly around governance, leadership and organisational effectiveness

• Knowledge and practical experience of charity governance and trustee responsibilities
• Experience of supporting organisations to improve Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) practice
• Experience of line management, supervision and supporting the development of others 
• Experience of building effective relationships and partnerships with a range of stakeholders
• Experience of designing or facilitating training, workshops, meetings or learning opportunities
• Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills
• Ability to think strategically, analyse information and develop practical solutions
• Experience of engaging people with lived experience in shaping services, programmes or decision-making
• Understanding of the barriers faced by refugees, asylum seekers and other marginalised communities
• Experience of working within, or alongside, the VCSE sector in Somerset
• Experience of monitoring outcomes and demonstrating impact for funded programmes
• Knowledge of approaches that support inclusion, participation and community cohesion
• Full UK driving licence and access to a car required. 

You should have: 

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; creative and lateral thinking 
• Initiative to manage time and prioritise workload 
• Ability to spot opportunities to enhance your work and achieve better outcomes for the VCFSE and communities 
• Excellent IT skills including Office 365 applications, CRM, social media, Zoom etc
• The ability to work both under your own initiative and as part of a wider team, to be flexible and tenacious, responding both reactively and proactively to situations as they arise 
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends with reasonable notice 
• Able to travel across Somerset to relevant meetings and events.

We will provide: 

• Flexibility and remote working options 
• Open and friendly team environment 
• Free Employee Assistance Programme.

Diversity and inclusivity:

A diverse voice is a more powerful voice. Diversity in our people brings new viewpoints and this drives debate and creativity, which is key to successful campaigning and an ability to engage new audiences. As such, we encourage applications from people who belong to groups which are often marginalised in society.