Job Description Community and Voluntary Sector Coordinator South and North Norfolk About Us Community Action Norfolk is an independent charity formed from the merger of Norfolk Rural Community Council and West Norfolk Voluntary and Community Action. Our role is to help build a stronger and fairer Norfolk through support, empowerment and strategic partnership with voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. We provide direct support to around 500 organisations a year across Norfolk with everything from funding advice and governance support to engagement and needs identification. We are the main organisation supporting the engagement of voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSE) in Norfolk. Through this we aim to build a positive dialogue between the VCSE sector and other key partners to collaboratively achieve the best possible outcomes for the people of Norfolk. Fairness is an important part of our work. We want to ensure Norfolk is a fair place for all, whoever they are, wherever they live. In a county where 53% of the population live in rural areas, rurality remains an important focus of this. We are a membership body with around 500 members, who directly elect our board of trustees. Please see the candidate brief for more information. The Role We are seeking to appoint a Community and Voluntary Sector Coordinator to join our team operating in the South and North Norfolk areas. The Community and Voluntary Sector Coordinator will work closely with local statutory and voluntary partners to develop longer term support solutions as part of the North and South Norfolk Supported Care Service. The Supported Care Service has been commissioned by North and South Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Groups and is being provided through an integrated health and social care partnership between Norfolk County Council and Norfolk Community Health and Care. It is designed to support patients with frailty, unstable long-term conditions or at risk of acute infections, who require an immediate combined health and care response to
avoid admission to hospital or intensive support on discharge home. The service launched on 31st July 2017 and provides immediate response, short term (up to seven days). The Care team consists of Care Coordinators, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Reablement Practitioners, and Support Workers to provide an integrated and holistic approach to the needs of patients and to return patients to their previous levels of wellbeing and independence. Phase 2 of the service is expected to launch in October 2017 and will establish local joined up community provision, connecting the health and care response with the voluntary sector and wider community to ensure patients can access a longer term network of support. The Community and Voluntary Sector Coordinator will focus on building robust links between VCSE organisations, community and health partners to create responsive and practical network of local support to help people recover from episodes of ill health and to reduce the risk of health deterioration. This role will have a focus on health, and wellbeing and will require a hands-on approach to developing solutions which may cross many agendas and partners. The post will be based in South Norfolk but will support the development of services in North Norfolk in the initial stages. The key functions of this post include: Establishing good communication and working practices between partners including: Integrated Care Coordinators and community development teams working within health, social care, district councils, the private care sector, voluntary sector organisations, and other community groups and services. Working with existing commissioned services including mainstream Carers Services and the Health and Wellbeing service (North and South Norfolk) in identifying opportunities to build and support new networks in areas identified as under resourced. Working with communities and community based organisations needing additional expertise to develop local level support for people living in their community particularly in rural areas where there are identified gaps in provision. Assisting VCSE organisations to develop new opportunities, negotiate additional services and support the development of capacity within existing organisations, thereby improving access to potential services, especially in areas of identified need to reduce inequality and rural isolation. Monitoring voluntary sector referral pathways and their subsequent progress, patient tracking to identify where gaps are emerging and to identify system failures and support improvements. Working with services to develop mechanisms to identify hidden carers more effectively. Using intelligence to highlight gaps or failures in referral routes. Working with VCSE organisations to identify where training/education programmes can be used to support and upskill volunteers with basic awareness to develop greater community resilience.
Specific tasks will include: Engage with established voluntary sector organisations to identify and develop support capacity within existing resources. Arrange a variety of engagement opportunities with the wider voluntary and community sector, stimulating participation particularly where organisations are not currently engaged, using all forms of communication and engagement. Identify opportunities to strengthen collaborative working and interaction among providers of existing services and resources that provide valuable support to people. Review provision of other commissioned support services such as Carers services, North and South Norfolk Health and Wellbeing volunteer services to maximise capacity and outcomes. Develop contacts with carer services to strengthen referral routes. Develop new opportunities, negotiate additional services and support the development of capacity within communities and community based organisations. Provide Integrated Care Coordinators and the Supported Care teams with information, knowledge and intelligence about the range and nature of support available through VCSE provision. Identify opportunities to build and support new volunteers in under resourced areas. Develop opportunities for local community groups to meet on a regular basis and to share learning and experience. Supplement the existing community development structures. To assist the sector to develop a referrals management approach consistent with the social prescribing model being adopted as part of the Norfolk and Waveney Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP). Analyse where gaps are emerging in the provision of care from VCSE organisations and develop opportunities to improve future provision, (including the direct support of new volunteers in areas identified as under resourced where required). In addition to specific activities linked to the role the post holder will be required to To take a capacity building approach to enable individuals and groups to improve their skills, knowledge and confidence. To undertake strategic work generally at district level but also regionally and nationally where appropriate. To work in partnership with other organisations in order to provide a coordinated approach to community information, consultation, and development activities. To help identify and, where appropriate, develop information resources for community groups and other as required. To undertake research as required. To produce written documentation e.g.: project reports, and undertake any general administration associated with the role. To assist in the process of grant administration where appropriate. To participate in Community Action Norfolk s system for monitoring and evaluation of service provision including data entry onto our systems. Comply with all other record keeping requirements
To participate in the promotion of Community Action Norfolk in local geographical areas when appropriate. To undertake such other reasonable tasks as the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time require. Core competencies for the role Community Action Norfolk has a competency approach to the skills and knowledge of our team. The following outlines the core competencies we will be looking for in a successful candidate. Specific knowledge related to the organisation and the voluntary sector is advantageous but not essential at the recruitment stage. We list the full competencies below but as with all competencies will look to provide support to meet any development needs. Communication Able to communicate information and ideas effectively at multiple levels from grassroots to strategic. Able to sell the organisation s value. Able to listen, remain open minded and absorb information effectively. Confident in different forms of communication including written, verbal, numeric and graphical. Organisation The ability to plan and define projects and tasks independently within broad areas of responsibility, prioritising and multitasking as required. The ability to assist others in the planning process providing techniques, structure and support appropriate to the group and task. The ability to make effective and timely decisions within areas of authority. ICT All roles within the organisation must be able to effectively use information communications technology, specifically the ability to use emails, navigate and research on the web, with excellent use of Microsoft Office and specialist software as appropriate (CRM, Huddle, website, social media, Sage) Knowledge of VCSE sector and values Understanding of the values and uniqueness of the VCSE sector. Detailed knowledge of the sector at a local level including the position of Community Action Norfolk. Firm understanding of trends at both local and national levels and wider policy context for specific areas of work. Knowledge of the health sector and values Understanding of the structure, systems and values of the health and social care services and the range of support services available. Knowledge of the organisation and its services Detailed knowledge of the range of Community Action Norfolk s services, projects and partnership activities. Good understanding of the organisations overall objectives and how they fit with current work. Knowledge of relevant policies and strategies. Able to promote and sell the organisation s products and services.
Knowledge of the organisations ethos and values Full knowledge of the organisations history, ethos, values and vision. Relationships and Partnerships All roles within the organisation need to be able to support positive relationships and partnerships this includes: Developing and maintaining relationships that inspire trust and respect. Building networks and being able to influence others to make things happen. Understanding of the different contributions from other disciplines and work effectively with colleagues and partners to solve problems and achieve objectives. Business Focus and Development Clear understanding of key business issues and works effectively within their role to help solve organisational problems and achieve objectives. Proactive in looking for new more effective ways of working and opportunities for the organisation. Able to make it happen turning plans into successfully implemented projects and initiatives. Performance focused, able to deliver at pace to the required quantity and quality within the time available. Commercially aware working effectively within their role to achieve commercial outcomes. Community Development Patient, persistent and practical in supporting client groups. Problem solving skills to support client groups and Community Action Norfolk. Ability to empathise and make sound judgments in a variety of situations. Specialist knowledge relating to areas of development work, health and social care. Own transport is essential, as is the ability to work some evenings and weekends. Management The Community and Voluntary Sector Coordinator will be line-managed by the Operations Manager Terms of Appointment This is a permanent appointment, 35 hours per week, subject to the availability of funding. The job will be jointly based at our Dereham offices and alongside colleagues from health and social care teams based in Wymondham and North Walsham Salary is 25,128 per annum. Holidays are 23 working days pro rata, per annum (increasing annually to a maximum of 28) plus 8 Bank Holidays. Contributory pension scheme. Interviews Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 4 th December.
Applications To apply please send us: A supporting statement of not more than 2 pages of A4 with a minimum of size 11 Arial. The supporting statement should respond to the core competencies of the role and how you think you meet these. A comprehensive CV, please address any gaps in employment or education history Equal opportunities monitoring form To office@communityactionnorfolk.org.uk or Community Action Norfolk, Ambassador Way, Greens Road, Dereham, NR20 3TL These should arrive to us by 12 noon on 1 st December. We may close the vacancy early if a suitable volume and quality of applications have been received, For an informal discussion about the role please contact Rik Martin, Operations and Development Manager on 01362 698216