Community Southwark is umbrella organisation for charities and community groups in Southwark. Our vision is thriving communities with the power, resources, and partnerships to create a more equal Southwark.

We have 1,000 Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) members. We have 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, collaborative, and sustainable Voluntary and Community Sector

·       Support the creation of a more inclusive, diverse, and equal Southwark ​

·       Increase the sector’s ability to influence change no matter the size or background of an organisation or individual​

We welcome applications from all sectors and experience levels. We particularly encourage applications from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people and people from LGBTQ+ communities. 

Job Description

Main Purpose

The VCS Support Officer role provides advice and support for voluntary and community organisations about organisational development. It  equips organisations and individuals with the skills and knowledge to run effectively, legally, and sustainably – enabling them to create thriving communities and a more equal Southwark.

The role has a wide remit and is guided by the needs of Community Southwark members.  The key objectives are:

·       Providing support and advice

·       Networks and events

·       Learning and Development

·       Information and Resources

·       Safeguarding

Principal Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Providing support and advice 

·       Provide support and advice to member organisations through organisational support appointments, casework, fundraising guidance, and signposting about a variety of organisational development topics.   

·       Work with partner organisations to develop and widen our support offer to areas such as legal support and connections to funders.

·       Research key areas for advice including Governance and Leadership, Income Generation, and Safeguarding.

·       Keep up to date with any changes in the sector e.g. policy changes, new opportunities such as funding or collaboration and ensure information is shared with internal staff and our members.

Networks and Events

·       Organise, host and develop appropriate events to help provide opportunities for VCS to build relationships, share resources and develop peer support opportunities.

·       Organise an annual conference with local funders.     

Learning & Development

·       Deliver or commission training for VCS organisations, as identified by research and feedback from organisations and within the strategic priorities of Community Southwark.

·       Implement a variety of learning styles when delivering the learning and development programme, such as action learning, coaching, or mentoring and online workshops as well as other techniques to help training be more accessible.

Information & Resources

·       Provide the sector with appropriate information through a range of formats i.e. e-bulletins (in particular the monthly funding e-bulletin), online blog posts, online resources (written and video) and hard copy resources as required.

·       Develop online resources, to complement support services provided by Community Southwark.

·       Contribute towards keeping online resources up to date, identify gaps and work across the team to maintain a relevant library of resources/members news and events.

Safeguarding Lead

·       Support staff to access basic safeguarding training and refreshers to CS staff, volunteers, and member organisations such as through Southwark Councils ‘My Learning Source’.

·       Organise, host and provide administrative support to the Safeguarding Leaders Network (a forum for those in Southwark's voluntary sector that lead on child or adult safeguarding to develop, enhance and assess their services through knowledge exchange and peer support).

·       Through the Safeguarding Network encourage representation of the sector at Southwark’s Multiagency Safeguarding Partnership’s Practice, Development and Learning subgroup and support the VCS Representatives that attend Southwark’s Safeguarding Adults Board and Safeguarding Children Partnership. Through the network keep up to date with changes in law and safeguarding practice.

General

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

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

·       To 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  

·       Work to administration and communication protocols efficiently to ensure that organisational systems and procedures are implemented  

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

·       To contribute to developing and managing an electronic database (AirTable), ensuring that all data is correct before inputting into Community Southwark’s systems. 

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

• Knowledge and experience of the Voluntary and Community Sector  

• Understanding of good governance and organisational management, including working with trustees and voluntary management committee members

• Ability to facilitate workshops and focus groups as well as excellent presentation and communication skills both written and oral 

• Good organisational and project management skills including financial planning, time management, project planning, monitoring and evaluation

• Ability to interpret research, legislation and policy and present it in an accessible way 

• Knowledge of safeguarding issues and demonstrable ability of learning about them

Personal Qualities                                                                                          

• Ability to prioritise and manage own workload/caseload 

• High level listening, influencing and negotiating skill; positive, flexible and proactive attitude 

• Strong networking and influencing skills 

• Reliability 

• A full commitment to equality of opportunity with practical ideas for its implementation within the scope of the post 

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) 

To find out more about working with us go to https://communitysouthwark.org/working-at-community-southwark/

Next Steps 

Closing date: Monday 7th October at 12 noon    

Interviews: Monday 14th October