Citizens UK
Citizens UK is a people power alliance of diverse local communities working together for the common good. Our mission is to develop leaders, strengthen civic organisations and make change. Our 550 member communities are deeply rooted in their local areas and connect every day to the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Through the method of community organising we enable people experiencing powerlessness to develop their leadership and come together with the power and strategy to make change.
This leads to hundreds of neighbourhood improvements - from zebra crossings outside primary schools to renovated public toilets in cemeteries. And it leads to some of the biggest campaign impacts in the UK, such as winning over £2 billion of wages through the UK Living Wage campaign, securing a legal cap on the cost of credit to control exploitative lending, and ending the detention of children for immigration purposes. We enable local campaigns to grow into large-scale social change projects such as the Living Wage Foundation, Parents and Communities Together (PACT), Sponsor Refugees, and Refugees for Justice, that form an integral part of our theory of change. The most prominent of these is the rapidly growing Living Wage Foundation with a network of over 14,000 accredited Living Wage Employers across the UK.
South London Citizens
South London Citizens is a thriving chapter with a growing team of ~18 organisers and project staff. We are building the power of communities in South London through borough alliances (in Greenwich, Lewisham, Southwark, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Merton, Croydon) and the wider region by developing community leadership and supporting people to take action on what matters most to them. Over the past three years, we have worked in partnership with mental health trusts to deliver a pioneering organising project, South London Listens (SLL), to prevent mental ill-health, and more recently with wider South London NHS leaders to take action on a range of issues (from low wages to housing conditions) that impact our communities’ health.
Purpose
We are looking for two Associate Organisers to join our thriving and dynamic team in South London building the power of local communities. These roles will support local organising, and have a specific focus on health and living wage organising.
In this exciting and innovative role, you will work with community organisations, including faith institutions, schools, universities, and community groups. Your primary responsibility will be to
1. build ‘Be Well’ teams to support the wellbeing of their communities, as part of the South London Listens partnership;
2. find and develop new community leaders within their organisations; and
3. take action to tackle the social determinants of health inequality (e.g. lack of migration status, racism, housing conditions, low wages and precarious work).
One or both of the roles will also include specific organising with low paid workers to lead the fight for a real living wage and living hours.
With your passion, energy, and commitment to democracy, you will support communities to build the power they need to win justice and make a real and lasting impact. Join us in the fight for a healthier and more equitable future for South London.
A central focus of an Associate Organiser is their own development: learning the craft of Community Organising under the guidance of an experienced Community Organiser. An Associate Organiser is working towards becoming a competent practitioner of the craft of broad-based community organising methodology, and focuses on the building of relational power, the recruitment and retention of dues-paying institutions, the development of leaders, the strengthening of member institutions, leader-led public actions, and the winning of systemic change. Your learning and development will be paramount in the first few months as the responsibilities given to your experience and skills develop.
We encourage you to apply even if you don’t feel like you fit all the criteria. We are particularly interested in people who are angry at issues of injustice, who have demonstrated taking action on that in some way, who can communicate effectively, who can build relationships of trust with a diverse range of people, and who believe in the capacity of ordinary people to make extraordinary change! We are less interested in whether you understand every word in the responsibility list below or whether you have worked as a professional organiser before. You are also encouraged to reach out if you have any questions about whether you might be suitable for the role.
Main Responsibilities
Working as an Associate Organiser in South London for Citizens UK your main responsibilities will be to:
Grow and deliver on the priorities of South London Listens and our broader Health organising
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Build and support new Be Well Hubs in a range of institutions in your allocated boroughs. Including identifying new institutions, delivering training, and supporting them once they are established.
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Work with other organisers to deliver on the priorities identified by communities that are part of the South London Listens project
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Ensure reporting and capturing of stories of the South London Listens project are captured and shared to celebrate and grow the project.
At least one of the roles includes supporting our organising efforts for more just work and wages
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Identify and develop worker leaders
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Take action with South London Citizens leaders to increase the number of living wage and living hours employers in London
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Develop and deliver community organising training for worker leaders
Build relational power to further the goals of CUK
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Actively participate in the development of a comprehensive power analysis appropriate to the desired sphere of influence for each project/assignment
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Establish working relationships with identified leaders and demonstrate ability to move them into action, including as part of the wider alliance; taking the initiative to establish new relationships as required
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Conduct one-to-ones to develop relationships with leaders and understand their concerns.
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Tell a wide range of Community Organising stories effectively to influence others and achieve CUK’s goals
Identify and develop relational leaders prepared to act with others for the common good
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Identify and discern actual and potential leaders with the passion and ability to drive change in their borough alliance and through South London Listens.
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Proactively create opportunities for leaders to develop, in particular tertiary or new leaders; nominate for training on the core taster curriculum and Be Well Hubs training.
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Successfully deliver workshops in local institutions, South London Citizens community organising introductions and Be Well training.
Strengthen institutions and develop Broad Based Organisations
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Ensure good understanding of the basic interests and traditions of typical member institutions
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Organise a small cluster of up to 5 standard member institutions or 1 strategic partner to work together for the achievement of common goals
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Support pre-existing core teams and create/develop new core teams to provide leadership at local level and in South London Listens
Support leaders through the Cycle of Action in order to create change
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Support member institutions and Be Well Hubs in running listening campaigns
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Organise neighbourhood actions; demonstrating increasing independence in working without the need for close supervision
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Take the lead in supporting groups of leaders through the cycle of action on neighbourhood issues; aiming to achieve neighbourhood and health wins
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Evaluate the effectiveness of actions; demonstrating ability to incorporate lessons learned into future actions
Contribute to CUK’s financial viability through effective fundraising & financial management
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Contribute to fundraising to the value of at least £20,000 per annum through one or some of the following:
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WWritinge regular updates on the work to be shared with the funders and maintain a healthy relationship with them
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Recruit new dues paying institutions; work together with a more senior Organiser to negotiate annual membership fees and letters of understanding
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Liaise with the Finance & Operations team to update the membership database and ensure timely invoicing and fee collection
Contribute to effective teamwork and live out our ‘Inclusion’ value
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Be proactive concerning personal professional development and wellbeing: i.e. by reading widely, developing a healthy work-life balance and demonstrating ability to reflect on own organising craft & improve on self-identified weaknesses
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Demonstrate ability to work effectively with colleagues and participate in a team
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Produce all required reports and follow CUK’s procedures on time and to the required standards
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Contribute towards an inclusive environment for all colleagues and community leaders, so that our spaces are a place where all are able to participate
Participate in the development of the craft of Community Organising and play a role in the Guild of COs
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Schedule an average of at least three 1-2-1 relational meetings into your daily schedule as a core part of your professional practice
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Commit 10 working days per annum (pro rata) to the preparation, delivery, and evaluation of Citizens UK National Community Leadership Training or other local or regional trainings or other activities organised by the Learning and Innovation team.
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Participate in a Guild Team and help it develop as a Community of Practice that enables Organisers across the UK to develop their skills and experience.
Personal Specification
(D) Desirable, (E) Essential
EXPERIENCE
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Previous campaign experience (D)
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Evidence of having acted in a leadership role with peers or in local community activities (e.g. within a faith institution or clubs/societies) (E)
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Experience of project management; evidence of having delivered work on time and to standard (E)
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Able to demonstrate previous experience of ‘learning by doing’ in a work or project environment; evidence of being open to feedback and comfortably coachable (E)
KEY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
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Ability to speak additional languages, especially Spanish for one of the roles (D)
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Excellent interpersonal awareness – ability to listen well and appreciate a viewpoint or opinion that is different from one’s own (E)
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Excellent concern for impact – ability to adapt own behaviour to address the needs or concerns of someone else (E)
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Good communication skills – able to speak with conviction and passion; and to make a logical argument (E)
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PERSONAL QUALITIES & VALUES
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A self-starter with ability to take initiative and work independently (E)
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A passion for justice (E)
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A positive enthusiasm for working with faith congregations, trade unions, schools, and other community organisations (E)
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An interest in and experience of politics and public life (E)
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Able to work in a team (E)
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Willingness to work within accountable relationships (E)
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Self-motivated and adaptable (E
The successful applicant will be required to undertake a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check. DBS checks are renewed on a 3-year cycle.
Interviews are planned to take place on Wednesday, 12th June (subject to change).
Please note this is a 12-month fix term contract with a possibility to extend, funding permitting.
This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Service Manager to support women and children who are impacted by domestic abuse and other gender-based crimes. In this role you will provide line management and support to staff who work with and help women and their children who have experienced domestic abuse and are staying in our Lambeth refuges. Our Lambeth refuges are culturally specific services for women and children of African and Caribbean heritage. This will include providing supervision on complex casework issues such as child protection, overseeing operational emergencies and ensuring high standards of casework.
Please note that this post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies. This role will also require an enhanced DBS check.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Please click here for our full recruitment pack for this role.
Job Title: Designated Safeguarding Officer
Reporting To: Safeguarding Manager
Contract: Remote
Hours: Full time
Salary: £45,000
Benefits:
- Enhanced policies including 25 days annual leave per year, plus public holidays;
- Vitality health insurance;
- Company electronic devices;
- Competitive pension;
- Remote and flexible working;
- Excellent opportunities for training and career progression.
About Mental Health Innovations (MHI)
MHI is an ambitious charity, driven to provide the public with access to much needed digital support services. The organisation's purpose, to transform lives by improving access to digital resources, is built on a strong belief that technology can help improve mental health outcomes in the UK.
Founded in November 2017 following the success of The Royal Foundation’s ‘Heads Together’ campaign, it launched its first product, Shout, in 2019. Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text message service for anybody to text when they may be struggling with anxiety, loneliness or depression through to self harm or suicidal thoughts.
Job Summary
To take the lead in ensuring that appropriate arrangements for keeping children, young people and adults at risk of harm safe are actioned at MHI as part of a Designated Safeguarding team covering the Shout platform 24/7. The role is responsible for promoting the safety and welfare of children and young people on our platform, being a consistent and reliable presence on the Shout platform, and advising Shout Supervisors on safeguarding actions and practise while raising and recording safeguarding issues as they arise.
Key Responsibilities
- To act as an MHI Designated Safeguarding Officer.
- Contribute to developing and reviewing MHI’s safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures.
- Alongside the DSO, contribute to ensuring that everyone working or volunteering with or for children and young people at MHI, including the board of trustees, understands the safeguarding and child protection policy and procedures and knows what to do if they have concerns about a child’s welfare
- Take a lead role in implementing MHI’s safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures: ensuring all safeguarding and child protection issues concerning children and young people who take part in MHI’s activities are responded to appropriately
- Take the lead on responding to information that may constitute a child protection concern, including a concern that an adult involved with MHI may present a risk to children or young people. This includes:
- assessing and clarifying the information
- calling in and recording all safeguarding issues as they arise.
- supporting and responding to staff who raise internal concerns as well as supporting those who make external safeguarding referrals to police or Adult / Children's Services
- making referrals to statutory organisations as appropriate
- consulting with and informing the relevant members of the organisation’s management
- following the organisation’s safeguarding policy and procedures
- Immediately referring cases to the Safeguarding Panel where there is a radicalisation concern
- Liaise with, pass on information to and receive information from statutory child protection agencies such as:
- the local authority child protection services
- the police
- this includes making formal referrals to agencies when necessary.
- Record and retain child protection records according to legal requirements and the organisation’s safeguarding and child protection policy and procedures.
- Work closely with the management committee/board of trustees and Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure they are kept up to date with safeguarding issues and are fully informed of any concerns about organisational safeguarding and child protection practice.
- Contribute to regular reports to MHI’s board of trustees on issues relating to safeguarding and child protection, to ensure that child protection is seen as an ongoing priority issue and that safeguarding and child protection requirements are being followed at all levels of the organisation.
- Be familiar with and work within inter-agency child protection procedures developed by child protection agencies working in partnership with MHI.
- Be familiar with issues relating to child protection and abuse, and keep up to date with new developments in this area.
- Attend regular training in issues relevant to child protection and share knowledge from that training with everyone who works or volunteers with or for children and young people at MHI.
- Attend team meetings, supervision sessions and management meetings as arranged.
- Hold safeguarding workshops and drop-in consultations for the ongoing training and support of MHI clinical and volunteer support staff.
- Work flexibly as may be required and carry out any other reasonable duties.
- Child protection leads must have received relevant safeguarding and child protection training that MHI require and that is specific to their role. This training should be refreshed regularly and they should keep up to date with any changes in safeguarding and child protection legislation and guidance.
This job description is not exhaustive; it outlines the key tasks and responsibilities of the post. These key tasks and responsibilities are subject to change as needed by the charity. You will be expected in undertaking the above role to comply with any policies and procedures that MHI may issue.
We will be interviewing on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the job advert early if we receive a high number of applicants.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.