Community Southwark is the umbrella body for charities and community groups in Southwark.

We have 1,000 not-for profit group members and over 60 years’ experience of offering free services and making connections, including:

·        Advice and training (e.g. governance, funding, evaluation and impact)

·        Networks to bring groups together and influence decision makers

·        Tailored support for ethnic minority led groups

·        Information sharing through our e-bulletins, social media, venues and funding databases

·        Advertising, matching, and celebrating volunteers, including Healthwatch Ambassadors and corporate volunteers

We have strong and productive links with funders, Southwark Council, businesses, and the local NHS. We host Healthwatch and a network of Health Ambassadors. We work in partnership to support thriving neighbourhoods and community led solutions to the borough’s deep-rooted inequalities.

Our 2022-26 strategy

·        Enable a more impactful and sustainable Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS)

·        Support the creation of a more inclusive and equal Southwark

·        A collaborative VCS able to influence change

The Role

Are you the person to develop and grow Community Southwark’s Corporate Volunteering Programme? We are in a unique position to bring together community groups, charities, and businesses. This role is crucial in maximising opportunities to share pro bono skills and resources, supporting thriving communities and a more equal borough.

Job Description

 Main Purpose

 The core objectives of the post are: 

·        To run a skills-based pro bono corporate volunteering programme, working with corporate partners to identify opportunities with our community partners. 

·        To expand and develop our existing offer to corporate and community partners, engaging with our team and the wider Voluntary and Community Sector to gain a thorough understanding of the sector’s needs.  

·        To audit existing corporate and business relationships with the VCS and develop and identify new partnerships, through the running of a corporate advice service.

·        To build and develop a programme of events and communications designed to connect corporates with the VCS.  

Principal Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1.   Engage with the VCS and our team 

·        Work with our community partners and staff to identify their needs relating to business relationships.  

·        Expand our reach to groups which have not historically had corporate relationships by working with our Outreach Officer and Ethnic Minority Support Officers.  

·        Monitor and showcase successful examples of corporate partnerships.  

·        Liaise with our external Corporate Teams Challenges facilitator and refer Team Challenge enquiries.   

·        Facilitate skills-based volunteering activities, in collaboration with the Volunteer Manager.   

2.   Facilitate an advisory group 

·        Bring together partners in the VCS, corporate sector and council to meet ideally four times a year and design the relationship journey for corporates and for VCS groups  

·        Produce timely and accurate agendas and minutes  

·        Establish and evaluate processes, materials and pricing structures relating to our corporate volunteering programme  

3.   Audit, map, build and maintain corporate relationships

·        Work with our team and VCS members to gain a solid understanding of the sector and what happens in it  

·        Research the business and corporate landscape within Southwark to identify key stakeholders and potential volunteering opportunities   

·        Actively network and attend meetings to build new corporate and community relationships  

·        Organise and deliver events to bring the VCS and businesses together to share information, and to match opportunities   

·        Produce regular communications for corporate partners  

·        Match corporate partners to volunteering opportunities and celebrate positive outcomes  

·        Keep meticulous records  

4.   General

·        Support Community Southwark’s mission, vision, values and strategic objectives 

·        Undertake other tasks from time to time and as appropriate, that may be required by management in line with the goals of the organisation 

·        Work within all of Community Southwark’s policies, in particular the Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities and Confidentiality policies, and help to ensure that diversity and equality of opportunity is integral to the organisation’s work 

·        Perform five days (pro rata) consultancy on behalf of the organisation  

5.   Changes

This is a description of the job as it is presently constituted.  It is the practice of the organisation to examine job descriptions from time to time and to update them to ensure they relate to the job as then being performed, or to incorporate whatever changes are being proposed. This would be conducted in consultation with you through your Support & Supervision sessions. 

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Needed         

• An experienced relationship builder, creating networks and connecting others

• An understanding and appreciation of the VCS and the corporate sector and the potential for partnerships

• Strategic vision – able to think through opportunities and plan for the long term

• Excellent written and communication skills

• Desirable: An experience of dealing with community or corporate volunteers and/or coordination of projects/teams

 Behavioural competencies

• Confident with a range of audiences, including those in senior positions

• High level listening, influencing and negotiating skills

• Extremely well organised, flexible and proactive

Additional Information

Location: The office is in 11 Market Place, London, SE16 3UQ for a minimum of two days per week (pro rata). The postholder will also be required to work in the community and may work the rest of the week from home.

Benefits:

·        30 days annual leave (exclusive of public/bank holidays) per annum; pro-rata for part-time employees.

·        2 Volunteering Days per annum (pro rata)

·        £535 annual training allowance.

·        Pension – Employer contribution: 5%

·        Cycle to Work Scheme.

·        Flexible working

·        Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

·        Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential helpline for personal or professional concerns)

Next Steps

Closing date: Friday, 26th July 2024 at 11.00 am

Interviews: 1st and 2nd August 2024 (but flexibility possible if required)