Senior project officer - Citizens Assembly for Northern Ireland. Job Description

Transcription

1 Senior project officer - Citizens Assembly for Northern Ireland Job Description

2 01. About Involve Involve is a charity and think tank. We want to build a democracy that works for everyone that gives people real power to effect change in their lives, communities and beyond. We believe our political system is lacking three essential qualities of democracy: Openness The public should be able to understand, influence and hold decisions-makers to account for the actions and inactions of their governments; Participation People should have the freedom, support and opportunity to shape their communities and influence the decisions that affect their lives; Deliberation A key role of democracy is exchanging and acknowledging different perspectives, understanding conflict and finding common ground, and building a shared vision for society. We believe that these qualities of democracy are essential for solving 21st century challenges - including extreme inequality, the impacts of globalisation, climate change, rapid technological development and the pressures of an aging society - and for achieving a more equal distribution of political power. Involve is embarking on implementing an ambitious new strategy to change the way democracy is practiced in the UK to make it more more open, participatory and deliberative. Under this new strategy, our work spans three areas: 1. Agenda setting - We are responding to the current political context and setting-out a vision for an open, participatory and deliberative democracy, and how to get there. 2. Coalition building - We are building, supporting and coordinating broad, unexpected and powerful coalitions of allies to shape and advocate for a new vision for democracy. 3. Participation practice - We support and undertake world class public participation practice and research, particularly where it can be used to build the case and pressure for wider change. Involve is working with partners in Northern Ireland to establish a Citizens Assembly for Northern Ireland. The assembly will consist of 50 to 100 citizens selected to be broadly representative of the Northern Irish population. It will meet 1

3 over two weekends in Autumn 2018 to consider and give recommendations on an issue of regional significance (to be selected in due course). As well as helping to break the deadlock on the issue in question, it is intended that the Citizens Assembly pilot a model that may be adopted by the Northern Irish Executive, Assembly, and/or Northern Ireland Office to address further contested issues. 02. About the role This is a unique opportunity to take a leading role in establishing a Citizens Assembly for Northern Ireland - a democratic innovation that will put Northern Irish citizens at the heart of decision making on an important regional issue. As a Senior Project Officer you will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Citizens Assembly for Northern Ireland project, including project management, fundraising, research, stakeholder engagement, governance and communications. You will report to Involve s Head of Democratic Innovation, who will be leading the project with your support. This will be a diverse and demanding role. To succeed, you will be an enthusiastic and committed individual with experience of project management, research and communications. You will be excited by the diversity of the role and unfazed by the prospect of juggling a number of demands at the same time, whilst keeping a clear focus on priorities. You will committed to the success of the Citizens Assembly and inspired to play a leading role in such a unique and potentially transformative initiative. This post is for an initial 6-months, with a further 6-months dependent on the 1 project s success in hitting its fundraising target. Our long-term ambition is for this to become a permanent post to establish a full-time presence for Involve in Northern Ireland, but this will depend on further successful fundraising beyond this project. This is a full time role, but flexible working arrangements, job shares and secondments will be considered. 1 So far, 130k has been pledged to the project, with a further 30k to 100k being necessary to proceed. 2

4 2.1. Key responsibilities Day-to-day running of the Citizens Assembly for Northern Ireland Project management of the Citizens Assembly for Northern Ireland, ensuring that the project runs on time and to budget; Liaising with and coordinating the input of senior Involve staff (including the Head of Democratic Innovation and Director); Supporting the development of fundraising proposals to secure the remaining budget required for the Assembly; Developing and implementing a communications plan (e.g. establishing and managing a suitable social media and website presence); Overseeing press and political engagement; Overseeing research and the preparation of evidence packs for the Assembly; Providing secretariat support to the advisory group; Stakeholder engagement (e.g. communication with participants, experts, etc.); Logistical administration (e.g. booking of venues, transport, etc.); Drafting of reports and outputs from the Assembly. Contributing to core Involve activities Including team meetings, strategy- and away-days Other relevant duties may be undertaken as agreed with the line manager Key competencies Excellent project manager, able to manage and prioritise a diverse workload; deliver key project elements on time, on budget and to a high standard; and provide robust management of project finances, budgets and reporting; Excellent communicator, able to communicate (writing, telephone, in person) appropriately and successfully with a wide range of public and professional audiences including communicating with senior figures about sensitive issues; 3

5 Committed team player, embodying our values of collaboration, equality and purpose, and passionate about furthering Involve s vision of a democracy that works for everyone. Educated to degree level Desirable competencies Effective fundraiser, able to identify and secure funding for programmes and projects; Experienced researcher, able to produce accurate and accessible briefings; Intelligent campaigner, able to oversee and develop impactful parliamentary and political strategies, with a good understanding of the workings of the Northern Irish Executive and Assembly; Experience of press work and social media communications; Deliberative democracy enthusiast, with a knowledge of deliberative democracy processes such as citizens assemblies Practical Information Job title: Pay range: Contract: Hours: Location: Reporting to: Senior Project Officer 30,000-35,000 (negotiable depending on experience) Temporary (6 months), with opportunity for extension Full time. Flexible working arrangements considered Belfast, Northern Ireland Kaela Scott, Head of Democratic Innovation 4

6 2.5. Benefits Involve is an equal opportunities employer and, true to our mission, we take inclusion in the workplace seriously. The following benefits are available to staff: Annual training budget of 1,000 Workplace pension with employer contributions of 3% Childcare vouchers Phone/data allowance of per month An enhanced maternity leave package (14 weeks full pay, followed by 8 weeks of 50% pay; followed by 17 weeks of statutory maternity pay; followed by up to 13 weeks unpaid) for qualifying employees An enhanced paternity leave package (14 weeks full pay, followed by 8 weeks of 50% pay; followed by 17 weeks of statutory paternity pay; followed by up to 13 weeks unpaid) for qualifying employees 5

7 We want to build a democracy that works for everyone - that gives people real power to effect change in their lives, communities and beyond. Our values Involve s work is underpinned by strong values of: Collaboration - We recognise that change comes from broad coalitions working towards a common vision. Equality - We believe that everyone in society has an equal right to be listened to and participate in decisions that affect their lives, and that no one should be held back by societal divisions or prejudice. Purpose - We advocate for participation that makes a difference - which connects people with power and solves 21st century challenges - and reject tokenistic or ineffectual engagement. Organisational details Legal Name: The Involve Foundation Legal Structure: Company Limited by Guarantee and Charity Company Number: (incorporated 09/01/2006) Registered Charity Number: (incorporated 15/07/2009) Contact Tim Hughes, Director E: tim@involve.org.uk T: +44 (0) W: A: 18 Victoria Park Square, London, E2 9PF 6