Bridges Project Development Worker Job Description and Person Specification Overview Bridges works with homeless and

vulnerably housed people in the London Borough of Newham and the surrounding area. It is a small organisation based at Memorial Community Church, Plaistow, and currently is staffed entirely by volunteers (some of whom are church members). Bridges is now seeking to formalise and develop various aspects of its organisational basis, including its funding, charitable status, networking, record keeping, and documentation. The Project Development Worker will be expected to supply much of the practical and administrative work required in order to deliver (or to begin to deliver) these objectives. This post has initially been funded by Tear Fund for one year on a 13 hours per week (0.35 FTE) basis, to be paid at a rate of 13.75 per hour (approx 26,500 p.a. pro rata). The post-holder will be an employee of Memorial Community Church, Plaistow. Main Duties During the normal course of employment, the Project Development Worker will be expected to: 1. Advance the organisational development of Bridges, particularly in terms of the coverage and dissemination of policies and procedures; conducting a full organisational risk assessment; and completing an application for independent charitable status. 2. Apply for and obtain additional project funding, including towards core costs for basic project services, and staffing needs (a priority will be the continuation of this post beyond the first year). 3. Work in conjunction with the volunteer Project Co-ordinators to develop and implement more comprehensive mechanisms for: a) assessing and meeting the needs of service-users, as individuals and groups; b) recording and monitoring outcomes for reporting purposes. 4. Assist the volunteer Project Co-ordinators in communicating with and developing the capacity of the wider volunteer team. 5. Support the volunteer Project Co-ordinators and staff to improve existing and to develop new services for users. 6. Extend existing and develop new links and relationships with other local agencies and faith organisations that deliver services to similar user groups. 7. Attend the regular (bi-monthly) meetings of the Bridges Committee, and to service that committee (e.g. by producing written minutes). 8. Assist on an occasional basis at Bridges on a Saturday morning (or other service delivery context), and at special events for service-users. 9. Carry out any additional duties that reasonably fall within the scope of the Project Development Worker post. 10. Observe and adhere to the principles of the Bridges Mission Statement, including the organisational commitment to equal opportunities.

Accountability and Responsibility In carrying out these duties, the Project Development Worker will be directly accountable to the Bridges Committee (currently chaired by Richard Coulton). Beyond this, as an employee of Memorial Community Church, the post-holder will ultimately be accountable to the trustees (Deacons) of the church (currently chaired by Rev Mark Janes). The Project Development Worker will be expected to work alongside the volunteer Project Coordinators (currently Brian Dexter and Lesley Wildman), as well as in co-operation with the churchs Development Manager. At times s/he will also be expected to organise and manage members of the volunteer team within specific contexts. Required Experience (E = Essential, D = Desirable) Experience of organisational development (in the voluntary and / or public sector) (E) Experience of working within a voluntary or public-sector organisation that delivers services to individuals (E) Experience of working with homeless and vulnerably housed people, and/or with other socially marginalised and vulnerable groups (D) Experience of fundraising (in the voluntary and / or public sector) (D) Experience of working within faith-based organisations (D) Experience of managing a volunteer team (D) Experience of developing organisational and professional networks (D)

Person Specification Strong administrative skills Strong interpersonal and communications skills Good numeracy and literacy Good IT skills (familiarity with Microsoft Office, web-browsers, and e-mail applications) Compassionate and holistic approach to working with homeless and vulnerably housed people Ability to work sympathetically and respectfully within a faith-based (Christian) organisation Ability to demonstrate both leadership when working within a team, and initiative when working independently Flexibility in working hours (occasional evening and Saturday morning shifts will be required) Willingness to travel locally when necessary

How to Apply Please complete the Bridges Application Form, with reference to this Job Description and Person Specification, and return it by email to <info@memorialcc.org> by the closing date of Friday 25 November 2011. Informal enquiries about the post can also be directed to <info@memorialcc.org>.