RECLAIM want working-class people to be represented everywhere decisions are made about our lives and to be recognised for our talent, strength and diversity. Our aim is to build a movement of empowered young working-class people who are proud of - and not held back by - their roots, and who will lead the way for future generations.

We are proud to be working with the Co-operative Foundation on an exciting new pilot project named #OurSpace. As such, we are seeking to appoint an experienced Project Manager who is able to engage working-class young people to lead this important piece of work to ensure that community spaces are delivering a welcoming experience for them.
 

About the role

The Project Manager will have responsibility for engaging a group of around 60 working-class young people, through RECLAIM’s alumni and also through building successful relationships with partner organisations, who will work on the project over a 12 month period. 

Through a number of sessions the group will devise and implement a campaign to gain commitment from local community space leaders that their organisations will work hard to understand and provide a genuine welcome to the communities which they serve. 

Following the end of the pilot activity the Project Manager will review, evaluate and report to the Co-op Foundation and partner organisations, and will work with the team at RECLAIM to look at how this model might be used elsewhere in the country.

Who we are looking for

Someone who has managed projects before and is comfortable helping young people engage with senior stakeholders. You will already have significant experience of direct engagement with young people either in an educational or youth work setting.

Able to work on your own initiative, this post will require an adept multi-tasker who can successfully work to bring together young people, youth organisations, and community space leaders and teams, focussed on building a shared understanding and agreed solutions.

Your communication skills, both verbal and written will be excellent, and you will be able to show your experience of monitoring, evaluating and reporting against the programme and organisational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of Programmes, you will be responsible for the design and implementation of the #OurSpace programme, ensuring that every young person who takes part is fully supported to become part of a powerful network of young working-class leaders, able to make change in their own community. 

Duties will include but are not limited to:-

• Working with the Director of Programmes to create and deliver a high quality programme of activity and engagement against the objectives of the pilot.

• Ensuring programme participants are able to access the programme in a safe way, ensuring that barriers to participation (such as travel costs etc.) are mitigated.

• Managing and maintaining relevant and accurate data, as required, including producing risk assessments and reporting safeguarding concerns appropriately, following prescribed processes in a robust manner, undertaking relevant safeguarding and first aid training, as appropriate.

• Actively network and build relationships with individuals and organisations able to contribute to the desired outcomes of the programme.

• Working closely with the Fundraising team to identify and maximise funding opportunities to both enhance and extend the programme.

• Regular reporting against agreed metrics and budgets including the production of a final evaluation and impact report.

• Delivering excellent stewardship of the funder, The Co-operative Foundation, through regular communication and updates.

• Working with the Alumni Officer to create a transition pathway for participants that will ensure a retention rate of at least 25% through to the Alumni network.

• Engaging with external stakeholders such as parents/carers and schools/colleges to ensure holistic support for young people, particularly in respect to safeguarding.

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope of the post. 

Skills and Experience

Essential

• A strong commitment to the mission of RECLAIM and to the empowerment of young working-class people as leaders of change.

• A successful track record of working with young people in an educational or youth work setting (minimum two years).

• Experience of project and budget management, including monitoring, evaluation and report-writing.

• A good networker able to build strong partnerships with stakeholders at all levels within local and regional cultural organisations and public spaces.

• Strong organisational skills and experience of successfully managing multiple priorities, particularly in relation to stakeholders, events and logistics.

• A good working knowledge of and commitment to safeguarding young people, and experience of applying safeguarding processes in relation to youth work

• Confident use of databases to record and extract data, and knowledge of associated legal responsibilities in relation to data.

Desirable

• JNC Qualification - Level 2 or above

• Bid writing/fundraising experience.

• Experience of working in the arts and/or heritage sector, either as staff or as a volunteer.

To apply please send your CV along with a supporting statement (not more than one side of A4) outlining your skills, experience and qualifications in relation to the post and requirements, by 5pm on Wednesday 15th April 2020.