Recruitment Information Pack Participation and Influence Manager
Introduction Job Title Participation & Influence Manager (temporary) Team Policy & Campaigns Immediate start preferred Fixed term contract until 31 March 2017 Job Band Salary 31,229-34,479 depending on experience Banding TBA Department Reporting to Fundraising & External Affairs Policy & Campaigns Director Hours 35 Hours per week Line Manages Not applicable *This role is offered on a temporary basis until March 2017 and may be extended beyond this subject to funding. We are happy to consider secondment opportunities for this role. Approved by: John Trampleasure Date: 5 October 2016 Background: Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for children and young people with autism. We provide services, raise awareness and understanding, and influence policy. We exist to make the ordinary possible for children and young people in both their education and in preparation for adulthood. Through Treehouse and Rise Schools, Ambitious College and our projects to give young people a fighting chance to realise their ambitions to engage in their communities and find work, we do all that we can to improve the life chances of children and young people with autism. This role is part of the Campaigns and Policy team which exists to: Gather information from research, our services and government data that builds a picture of what life is really like for children and young people with autism Raise awareness of the urgency of changes that need to happen in order to make the ordinary possible for this generation of children and young people with autism Mobilise support among key stakeholder groups parents and educators of people with autism and young people themselves to spread awareness of issues, influence decision makers, and support our work in other ways Ensure that decision makers understand the impact of legislation on the day to day lives of children and young people with autism, and have access to our advice on how they can shape legislation and regulations to better meet their needs. 2
In order to: influence changes in national legislation, local practice and individual attitudes to the benefit of children and young people with autism. The myvoice Participation and Influence Manager will be accountable for supporting young people with Autism to influence change. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of projects aimed at children and young people with autism, influencing priorities of the organisations we seek to influence and improving the way services and support work for children and young people with autism locally and nationally. 3
Key responsibilities Role Purpose: 1. To work with colleagues in the Campaigns and Policy team to ensure targets on influencing related to the engagement of young people - are met 2. To work directly with young volunteers with autism to develop their skills and confidence around influencing change 3. To support Ambitious about Autism s Youth Patrons to engage in the governance of the organisation 4. To support Autism Education Trust s (AET) youth panel to evaluate the work AET delivers 5. To host the myvoice advisory board and lead work with evaluators of that project. Key Accountabilities & Dimensions: 1. Support young people with autism to participate in and influence change by: a. Supporting AET s youth panel to evaluate the effectiveness of AET s work programme and provide a report on this b. Support Ambitious about Autism s youth patrons to develop their skills and confidence around influencing change by delivering 3 training & development days, develop a youth led campaign, with associated Parliamentary event and outreach c. To produce staying safe online guidance for young people with autism d. To complete evaluation and monitoring of the myvoice programme e. To develop a plan to maintain engagement with volunteers/young people with autism in 2017/18 and beyond. 2. To be effective in the role by: a. Ensuring that approved key messages are accurately reflected in all communications developed both internally and externally b. Applying Ambitious about Autism s brand identity guidelines to ensure maximum marketing effectiveness and to support the team in their interpretation and application c. Briefing and manage external partners, ensuring they work to agreed terms and conditions and within budget d. Working closely with the Policy and Public Affairs Manager to enable children, young people & their parents and educators to influence policy e. Managing all project quality, risk, safeguarding and evaluation processes f. Supporting the continuing development of the principles of co-production and participation in Ambitious about Autism 4
g. Taking a lead role in the development of bids for funding the service from Statutory and Voluntary sources and working with colleagues across the Fundraising & External Affairs department to optimise fundraising, brand building and marketing potential of all campaigns work h. Provide regular reports on projects for the Campaigns and Policy Director, senior staff, and key funding partners including the Department of Health and Comic Relief. General: Engage with and, where appropriate/agreed, lead the relationships with key partners in the sector Contribute to the overall development and implementation of Ambitious about Autism s strategy Build good working relationships across the organisation, in particular with External Affairs, Fundraising, Service Development and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) Provide support to other External Affairs colleagues as required Attend and work at participation events/meetings which will include some evenings and weekend hours Ensure accurate and accessible record keeping of all activity and relationships and effective use of the database (Raiser s Edge) To represent Ambitious about Autism to external audiences To undertake any other appropriate responsibilities that may arise. Safeguarding and Safety: Ensure risk assessments and emergency plans are in place and reviewed for all events and activities, including online activities Ensure safe working practices Safeguarding incidents and accidents/ incidents are reported appropriately. Key working relationships: Fundraising, Service Development and Finance Teams External Affairs Colleagues Youth Council Department of Health and Comic Relief Key partners through myvoice Project British Youth Council, Youthnet, NUS, local authorities Senior stakeholders within the third and public sector Young people with autism myvoice Advisory Group. 5
Person specification Role and Band Competencies Essential Desirable Education Levels & Qualifications (to be assessed in application & interview) 1. Recognised qualification, training or equivalent experience in participation, youth work, influencing, inclusive practice or digital engagement 2. Recognised project management qualification or experience x Specific Knowledge, Experience & Technical Skills (to be assessed in application and interview) 3. Experience of personally delivering and completing a complex project 4. Experience delivering training/mentoring that enables target audiences to take action and engage in influencing stakeholders 5. Extensive experience of working with children & young people, parents and other stakeholders to deliver projects 6. Understanding of major policies, initiatives and legislation relating to children & young people with autism 7. Proven experience of managing complex relationships with multiple stakeholders, including project partners 8. Knowledge and understanding of the SEN framework 9. Proven experience of developing accessible guidance/ training for people with autism/ learning disabilities 10. Strong written and oral communication skills including writing reports for a variety of stakeholders and experience of presenting to groups and individuals 11. Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills 12. Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines Personal Attributes (to be assessed at interview) 13. Commitment to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of young people and understanding and championing the needs of young people with autism 14. Good appreciation of health and safety in the workplace, data protection principles and equal opportunities 15. Demonstrable commitment to Ambitious about Autism s core values 16. Resilient approach to work; able to give and receive feedback constructively 17. Entrepreneurial and creative approach to delivering the project; able to generate and follow through on own ideas 18. Able to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends when required 19. Willingness to travel occasionally within the UK given appropriate notice. 6
Benefits Overview Some of our benefits at Ambitious about Autism include: Annual Leave Purchase Scheme Study Leave Bike Facilities Life Assurance Health Cash Plan Eye Tests and Eye care 24 hour Employee Assistance Programme Pension Scheme Enhanced Maternity and Adoption Leave How to apply To apply please send your application form and equal opportunities monitoring form to earcher@ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk with the job title and reference number of the role in the subject line by 12 noon on 19 October 2016. Interviews will be held on 26 October 2016 7