Role outline and purpose  

The Network Lead plays a central role in helping us achieve our vision to end the need for food banks in the UK. This is a varied, proactive and fast-paced role that involves representing the Trussell Trust on policy and public affairs in the region/nation, the leadership of a dynamic team of area managers that supports the network of food banks in the region/nation to deliver emergency food, and the coordination of projects and partnerships to support the food banks in our network to reduce the need for their services locally. 

Role responsibilities 

• Strategic Leadership: Manage the delivery in the region/nation of food bank operations and key strategic projects that are part of the Trussell Trust’s five-year strategy to end the need for food banks.  

• Projects and partnerships: Build partnerships and develop projects with organisations to develop and build services and systems that help end the need for food banks, including working with food banks to ensure that local churches (including church leaders) are connected to and have an understanding of the importance of ending the need for food banks in local communities. 

• Policy and public affairs: Engage with a wide range of external bodies, including elected representatives, faith and community organisations, and research bodies. 

• Team Leadership: Provide leadership, support and line management to the area managers. 

• Risk Management: Ensure consistent quality assurance of food banks across the region, in line with guidance from the safeguarding and quality team at the Trussell Trust, and support area managers to deal with complaints and manage food banks with high risks. 

• Cross-organisational working: Act as a liaison between the area team, the wider operations team, and other directorates, managing the flow of ideas and feedback to positive effect.  

Person Specification 

Technical skills and minimum knowledge: 

• Confidently represent the Trussell Trust with a range of stakeholders, including elected representatives, and effectively manage the roll-out of the organisational strategy in the region/nation. 

• Knowledge and experience of policy and public affairs, including a track record of successfully influencing politicians and key decision-makers to achieve strategic goals.   

• Knowledge and experience of community development or local service provision. 

• Experience of managing projects and partnerships, from inception to evaluation, to achieve strategic goals. 

• Experience of team leadership, line management and supervision, including dealing with performance issues and using coaching skills. 

• Competent and efficient use of IT, including the main Microsoft Office programs and database management. 

• This role will require an appreciation and understanding of the significance of Christian faith within our food bank network, and the ability to build effective relationships in contexts where Christian faith plays a major part, and in which people of all faiths and none collaborate to make a difference together. Food banks in our network are typically governed by or run in partnership with local churches from across a wide range of denominations and traditions. 

Behaviours and competencies: 

• Demonstrate a commitment to the values of the Trussell Trust 

• Demonstrates empathy for people from disadvantaged, marginalised or socially- excluded backgrounds  

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, particularly listening skills. 

• Role models inclusive behaviour, values and leadership 

• Confident, resilient and self-motivated team player 

• Well-organised and able to juggle competing priorities. 

Key Stakeholders 

• Area managers 

• Network leads 

• Head of Scotland and Northern Ireland

• Network services 

• Pathfinder team 

• Financial inclusion team 

• UK policy team 

• Head of safeguarding and risk 

• Public engagement directorate 

• Local elected representatives, including MLAs, MSPs, Senedd members, MPs and councillors 

• Representatives of local organisations and service providers