Job Title:

Network Development Worker

Job Description:

Purpose: To develop initiatives which build the capacity of projects run by or involving homeless and excluded people, and to support the resource development needs of these projects.Resource Development·To co-ordinate Groundswell’s grants programmes.·To liase with committees for any grants programmes Groundswell is running.·To identify and develop opportunities for further Groundswell grants programmes.·To provide advice and feedback on funding and resourcing for local groups.·To develop relationships with funders to increase resources available to groups in Groundswell’s network.Horizontal Exchanges·To co-ordinate local and national exchanges within the Groundswell network.·To promote community exchanges as an effective means of enhancing grass roots activity.Social Business Support·To oversee the development of Groundswell Social Business Support Programme·To support the needs of participants on this programme, including signposting, project support, coaching, and facilitating action learning sets·To promote the involvement of homeless and excluded people in the emerging Social Enterprise sector·To explore ways that homeless people can overcome economic disadvantage·To explore and maximise the potential for Groundswell UK and our network to self generate income Network Support & Development·To encourage the development of new projects and groups involving marginalised and excluded individuals and communities.·To support existing groups within the Groundswell network to increase their effectiveness and capacity.·To encourage the participation of new groups and organisations in Groundswell’s work.·To promote Groundswell and the work of the network to external organisations.·To develop new initiatives to meet the needs of groups within the network.·To work with groups to encourage learning and sharing of skills.·To support the growth of local forums.·To encourage sharing of information and experience across the network.·Assist in the planning and facilitation of local and national meetings within the Groundswell network.

Salary Details:

£24,000 per annum plus 5% non-contributory pension

Person Description:

Essential Criteria·Knowledge of the issues relating to poverty, homelessness & self-help·Knowledge of grassroots community work ·Understanding of the needs of particularly marginalised groups, especially homeless people·Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate confidently orally and in writing to people at all levels.·Ability to make presentations, run workshops and facilitate and participate in events ·A commitment to community action and social justice·A resourceful approach to your work, and the ability to effectively negotiate ·The ability to prioritise a diverse workload, show initiative and keep to tight deadlines·The ability to be self motivating & adopt a flexible working approach·Ability to balance the role of an individual with the need to work within a collective team environment·Ability to manage information in an efficient and organised manner.·Knowledge of funding opportunities available to voluntary organisations and community groups·Be able to travel to visit projects around the UK including some short stays away.·Computer literacy with experience of PC software, word-processing, databases, network-based applications, email and the internet·A sense of humour and perspectiveDesirable Criteria ·Experience of supporting or participating in community development led by homeless or excluded people·Experience of developing resource strategies aimed at sustaining projects, initiatives or organisations.·Experience of working in a grant-giving environment·Understanding and experience of the process of horizontal exchange as a capacity-building tool.·Ability & knowledge to support developing social businesses·Knowledge of other support bodies in the sector and an ability to develop a database of support for signposting·Experience of developing creative training programmes and recognising the role of training as a tool for empowerment. ·Experience of project development in a voluntary sector environment·Knowledge of community participation or participatory learning techniques

Closing date for applications:

13 March 2003

Recruiting organisation:

Groundswell UK

Contact person:

Toby Blume

Address:

Groundswell UK
Elmfield House
5 Stockwell Mews
Stockwell
SW9 9GX

Telephone:

Fax:

Email:

Web Address:

http://www.groundswell.org.uk/about/job.html

Organisation summary:

Groundswell promotes practical solutions, that involve homeless people, to tackling homelessness and social exclusion. Groundswell's work is about helping people to make informed choices about their lives and find solutions to their own problems. Homelessness can only be tackled by involving homeless people and by helping people to take control of their own lives.Groundswell UK is a national charity that supports a network of people and projects who are committed to inclusive approaches to tackling homelessness, poverty and exclusion.We have four key messages:* We believe that homeless people: are not 'the problem' – they must be part of the solution* hold the key to solutions in their experiences and knowledge* have a right to the information they need to make informed choices about their lives* can build communities and create positive change by acting together

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