Partnerships and Development Co-ordinator

Communities 1st

We are a dynamic charity and non-profit organisation committed to creating
meaningful impact within our community. We are driven by our core values:
partnership, quality, adaptability, positivity, and inclusiveness. Our team is dedicated to
working collaboratively with the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE)
sector, delivering exceptional services and fostering a culture of proactive
engagement and innovation.

The Partnerships and Development Co-ordinator will play a pivotal role in enhancing
the effectiveness and outreach of VCSE groups, organisations, and networks. The
position entails a blend of project management, community engagement, volunteer
co-ordination, and sector development. The Coordinator will play a crucial role in
bridging connections with local groups, enhancing volunteering opportunities, and
using innovative techniques and social media to further our objectives.

Purpose of the Job:
• VCSE Sector Support: Implement strategies for governance, volunteering, funding,
and tendering in VCSE organisations; engage with groups for capacity building and
fund-raising advice.
• Membership Engagement: Recruit and retain voluntary sector members, manage
relationships with local groups/organisations and volunteers, and keep them
informed about funding opportunities.
• Volunteer Centre and Timebank Oversight: Develop networks to promote
volunteering, manage the Volunteer Centre and Timebank operations, and ensure
inclusive volunteer opportunities.
• Best Practices in Volunteer Management: Champion best practices in volunteer
recruitment and management, including working towards achieving accreditation
standards.
• External Communication and Representation: Build relationships with community
members and organisations, represent the organisation at external events, and
manage online content and social media strategies.
• Training and Development: Develop and present training programmes to enhance
volunteer management and organisational capabilities.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitor community data and maintain CRM records to
inform community network development and produce reports and case studies.

VCSE Sector Support and Development:
• Develop and implement support strategies for VCSE organisations, focusing on
governance, volunteering, funding, and bidding/tendering processes.
• Recruit new members and retain existing members. Manage “account”
relationships with local groups/organisations and volunteers
• Engage with start-up groups and individuals, offering advice on governance,
fundraising, and capacity-building.
• Manage relationships with local groups, organisations, and volunteers.
• Facilitate the development of new VCS organisations and co-production
engagement.
• Provide governance advice to groups, ensuring legal and financial compliance.
• Promote grants and funding opportunities, assisting member organisations in
applications. Keep members informed about funding opportunities through
newsletters and events.
• Prepare and present training programmes as and when required.
• Foster sector-wide networks and strategic approaches to learning and
development.

Volunteer Centre and Timebank Coordination:
• Actively develop and maintain external networks to promote volunteering, creating
partnerships to facilitate high-quality volunteering opportunities.
• Champion best practices in volunteer recruitment and management, and work
towards achieving accreditation standards.
• Enhancing volunteer management capabilities of local groups is essential for their
effective operation and sustainability.
• Deliver volunteering brokerage services across various sectors and assist
organisations in achieving best practice in volunteer management.
• Oversee the operations of the Volunteer Centre and Timebank, ensuring the delivery
of high-standard services.
• Provide comprehensive training and support to both staff and volunteers at the
Volunteer Centre and Timebank, ensuring consistent service standards are met.
• Ensure volunteering opportunities are accessible and inclusive, catering to the
diverse needs of community groups.
• Coordinate the activities of the Timebank, encouraging member participation and
fostering community-beneficial projects.
• Establish and maintain a supportive environment for volunteers, managing their
recruitment and placement effectively.
• Efficiently manage volunteer records, ensuring seamless coordination and
communication across the organisation.

Monitoring and Evaluation
• Monitor local area knowledge and data to stimulate new connections within the
community and inform the development of community-led networks
• Maintain up to date activity records for groups on CRM system, including hrs of
advice used pa. Use CRM system to analyse and plan training and workshops
• Produce high quality reports including statistical information on service delivery to
agreed deadline and assist in the development of case studies.
• Engage in participatory mapping and Asset-Based Community Development,
gathering and utilising community data.

External Communications
• Build and maintain relationships with key community members and organisations.
• Represent our organisation at external events, promoting our mission and fostering
partnerships.
• Plan and deliver annual and special events, securing sponsorship as necessary.
• In conjunction with colleagues provide outreach at events and services
• Contribute to social media strategies, promoting volunteering and Timebank
initiatives.
• Secure full or benefit-in-kind sponsorship where necessary and appropriate for
events. Maintain and develop relationships with sponsors.
• Managing and updating the website, members area and members directory

Other Duties
• Work as part of Communities 1st team in a professional manner in accordance with
policies, procedures and equal opportunities practices
• Work with people from a range of seldom heard groups and contribute towards a
positive equalities ethos.
• This is not a final and complete statement of the duties attached to this post, which
may be amended from time to time in accordance with the changing needs of
Communities 1st

Person Specification: Partnerships and Development Co-ordinator

Values and Personal Attributes
1.1 Ability to implement our values in all aspects of work. These are
to: Work in partnership; Deliver quality; Adapt; Be positive; Be
inclusive.
(Essential)
1.2 Ability to work with a diverse range of people and organisations
and be an effective communicator in both verbal and written
forms.
(Essential)
1.3 Be proactive and self starting in the development of projects as
well as work under pressure.
(Essential)
1.4 Ability to work flexibly and effectively as part of a team and on
own initiative
(Essential)
1.5 Proactive approach to personal development and the updating
of skills and knowledge
(Essential)

Skills & Knowledge
2.1 Understanding of the issues affecting volunteers and voluntary
organisations
(Essential)
2.2 Demonstrable understanding of best practice in the volunteer
management including recruitment, management and support
(Essential)
2.3 Ability to identify the needs of beneficiaries and develop
effective services in response
(Essential)
2.4 Appreciation of the nature of accountability, ethics, targets and
outcomes
(Desirable)
2.5 Knowledge and understanding of quality assurance and
accreditation systems and the need for continuous quality
improvement
(Desirable)
2.6 A knowledge and understanding of social value and
measurement
(Desirable)
2.7 Excellent organisational and time management skills
(Essential)

Experience
3.1 Experience in delivering training such as writing successful bids
(Desirable)
3.2 Experience of securing and managing sponsorship
(Desirable)
3.3 Experience of working in a membership organisation
(Desirable)
3.4 Experience and skills in managing resources to deliver training
events and achieve key targets
(Essential)

Other Requirements
4.1 Flexible approach to working hours. Able and willing to work
occasional evenings / weekends
(Essential)
4.2 Ability to travel within the county of Hertfordshire and
occasionally wider afield
(Essential)

Expected start date: 01/03/2024
Contract length: 24 months

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Health & wellbeing programme

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• A-Level or equivalent (preferred)

Experience:

• VCSE sector development: 2 years (required)

Ability to Commute:

• St. Albans (required)

Ability to Relocate:

• St. Albans: Relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person