About us

Unlocked Graduates is an award-winning organisation that aims to change the way we develop society’s future leaders, as well as how we think about prisons and prisoners by focusing on rehabilitation, and addressing the damage and cost of reoffending.

At the core of Unlocked Graduates is a new leadership programme that will get top graduates into prisons working as frontline prison officers for two years. The project grew out of a recommendation in the Coates’ Review of prison education.

Our participants are asked to focus on rehabilitation and breaking cycles of re-offending to give second chances to those who lacked opportunities earlier in life. This work will form part of their studies for a master’s degree which they will complete while taking on the full duties of a frontline prison officer. At the end of the programme they will be asked to develop policy ideas that they think have the potential to influence systemic change.

We want the programme to raise the status of a currently invisible and undervalued public service by attracting a different kind of leader to work in prisons and help identify ways to reform the prison system, reduce re-offending and improve rehabilitation. We also want our participants to consider entering other professions and sectors at the end of the two years and are building corporate relationships to offer such opportunities.

The role

The Programme and Partnerships Officer is a new position that will play a key role at Unlocked Graduates. You will be driving the development of opportunities for our participants and ambassadors by sustaining and developing relationships with a range of external organisations.

From identifying experts in criminal justice to speak to our graduates, to finding organisations that would welcome a work placement with a serving prison officer, you will provide a bridge between these external individuals, our organisation and our officers.

This role will have a particular focus on retaining and engaging our ambassadors as they develop in their careers after two years on the programme by providing opportunities, facilitating networks and organising regular communication. This means the ability to build relationships at all levels and create systems and processes to manage long-term data collection and engagement will be critical.

Working to the rhythm of the Unlocked year, the person in this role will be very involved with the effective delivery of our flagship annual Summer Institute.  They will have a particular focus on the management of external speakers and guests and the effective integration of our second year officers and alumni.

Key tasks

Network building

-        Identify and initiate opportunities for alumni and supporters to participate meaningfully with Unlocked Graduates.

-        Assist with the delivery of the Alumni strategy including events, career development opportunities and communications.

-        Develop networks for Alumni to engage and share expertise.

-        Manage social networks for Alumni including LinkedIn and Facebook groups. Working with the Digital and Communications Officer to develop content around Alumni for social media channels.

-        Design regular newsletters to Alumni and supporters – including sourcing content, compiling newsletter and evaluating engagement.

External relationship building and development

-        Retain current corporate partners through effective stewardship and research new partnership opportunities.

-        Build relationships with organisations to provide work placement opportunities for Unlocked Graduates’ prison officers. This may include criminal justice organisations, charities and start-ups.

−        Research and invite potential speakers for Unlocked Graduates events including criminal justice specialists and politicians.

−        Identifying opportunities for Alumni and supporters to raise awareness of and fundraise for Unlocked including through foundations and sponsored events.

−        Effectively manage the stewardship of funders through regular communication and engagement.

−        Researching potential funders and assist with bid development.

Event management

−        Liaise with corporate partners and supporters to organise events including on site requirements, catering and guest lists.

−        Manage external guests at Unlocked Graduates events including invited speakers and important guests. This will include managing invitations, logistics and acting as a liaison at events.

−        Lead on the organisation of Unlocked Graduates including venue, guests and collateral.

−        Develop career development opportunities for Unlocked Graduates’ prison officers and providing administration support to the events

Administrative support

−        Providing administrative support to assist the delivery of complex logistical projects including Summer Institute, Returners’ Week and work placements using time management and organisational skills.

−        Respond to communication from Alumni and partners in a timely and professional manner.

−        Create Alumni case studies to demonstrate the long term impact of the programme.

−        Build and manage data monitoring systems.

Other requirements

You will also need the right to work in the UK and be willing to travel within the UK. This will include occasional overnight stays, evening events and spending Monday to Friday at our summer residential training (six to eight weeks over July and August each year).

Person specification

• Excellent relationship manager, with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels.

• Experience of working with alumni or other networks preferred.

• Interest in the criminal justice sector and the mission of Unlocked Graduates.  

• Experience of event planning and delivery.

• Confident in presenting to groups and engaging with a range of stakeholders.

• Clear and professional written communication.

• Exceptionally organised with experience of working on complex logistical projects.

• Comfortable working on a variety of projects simultaneously and managing deadlines.

Characteristics and skills

You will also need to demonstrate:

• A strong belief and interest in Unlocked Graduates’ aims and mission.

• Exceptional people skills, with the ability to build strong relationships internally and externally.

• A creative approach and self-starting ability to create effective solutions with limited resource.

• That you are methodical, organised and able to work with attention to detail.

• An ability to work on your own initiative and prioritise workload in a busy team environment.

• That you are a team player, who is willing to deliver practically on the ground and be hands-on.

• That you are able to regularly evaluate your own performance to build on strengths and identify areas to improve.

Please also note that we would particularly welcome applications from individuals with lived-experience of prisons or the criminal justice system.

To make an application

To apply, please follow the link where you will need to fill in a short application form and upload a CV.

If you would like to have an informal and confidential discussion about the role or about the process please contact ally.steel@unlockedgrads.org.uk.

Timetable

Closing date:                         2nd December 2019 at midday

First round interviews:         5th and 6th December 2019

Second round interviews:    13th December 2019

Applications will be assessed as they are received.

Please let us know if you will have any limits on your availability during this time. For more information about Unlocked Graduates please visit our website.