Role outline         

The Network Lead Northern Ireland will play a central role in helping us achieve our vision for an end for 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 Northern Ireland, the leadership of a dynamic team of Area Managers and volunteers, and the day-to-day coordination of projects and partnerships. This role will be responsible for managing the Area Manager team across Northern Ireland, including providing coaching to enhance performance and holding regular 1:1s, in order to provide food banks with support that aligns with our approaches of service, collaboration, expertise and transparency. The Network Lead for Northern Ireland will oversee the delivery of projects and partnerships, including mobilising volunteers, as part of the Trussell Trust five-year strategy to help food banks reduce the need for their services locally.  The role requires someone who thinks strategically to achieve results and is solutions-oriented in approach.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Lead the roll-out in Northern Ireland of the Trussell Trust’s five-year strategy to end the need for food banks, which includes a focus on the strategic themes of Changing Communities; Changing Minds; and Changing Policy.

• Build partnerships with organisations across Northern Ireland to identify new opportunities to enhance services and develop approaches that help end the need for food banks.

• Engage with elected representatives, church and community organisations and research bodies to promote The Trussell Trust’s policy, research and campaigning strategy as required.

• Drive a culture of innovation, resourcefulness and change within Northern Ireland.

• Support the Head of Scotland and Northern Ireland in the development of systems, processes and stakeholder communication to ensure service excellence, including identifying process improvements with the Area team.

 Team Leadership:

• Provide leadership, direction, support and line management to the Area Managers.  This will include regular 1:1s and annual reviews to ensure objectives and key results are met.

• Maximize the functionality and productivity of the Area team to deliver our core support to food banks in Northern Ireland, including identifying and deploying strengths and subject matter expertise within the team to effectively serve the network.

• Work with the Trussell Trust’s volunteering team to recruit, train and support a network of local volunteers.

 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.

• Support Area Managers to deal with complaints and effectively manage high risk foodbanks.

 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. 

• Attend Operations Management meetings and cross-organisational working groups, and follow-up with relevant actions/roll outs in Northern Ireland.

 Any other reasonable duties as specified by your line manager to support the work of the Trust.

The Trussell Trust is a charity founded on Christian principles which works to end the need for food banks in the UK. We all subscribe to the same values of dignity, justice, compassion and community, and hope that new team members will too, irrespective of belief or background.