Thames Ward Community Organiser

Riverside School is leading a Lottery-funded community development project in Thames Ward, Barking, where major new housing developments will double the ward population over the next ten years.

We have secured further funding from Trust for London to advance this work and are recruiting a part time-time Communications Manager to encourage residents to be active citizens and to work across the whole of this diverse community.

The CO will be employed by Riverside School and based in the newly opened campus. S/he will listen to local people, encourage local leadership, support local action and build a solid foundation for long-term community development, enterprise and initiative.

We need an experienced CO to work with our small team over the next year, to help us develop a long-term sustainable community organisation in Thames Ward.  

What we are looking for:

The successful applicant must have at least three years’ experience of working in a challenging community context. S/he will be self-organised, willing to work flexible hours, demonstrate an ability to empathise with people, and be able to employ leadership skills to identify problems and inspire people to find solutions together. The CO must be able to work with people from all backgrounds and have the skills and tenacity to help them build solidarity and create positive alliances around issues of common interest.  S/he must also be able to work collaboratively with local leaders to help people understand and influence the wider strategic developments affecting the community. Excellent communication skills are essential. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Reach out to residents across the whole community, listening to and recording their views, building relationships with those who want to get involved, encouraging participation with a view to generating and supporting local action and campaigns. 

• Support small scale activities – initially relating to the communications strategy, but including other ideas and campaigns in response to residents.  

• Work with residents to develop initiatives in the community and expand the work of our Community Action Groups. 

• Maintain a data-base of contacts, residents’ feedback, photographs and other material relating to the project, and produce a weekly summary report and reflection on developments. 

• Develop publicity and communications across the community through newsletters, social media and other forms of communication. 

• Recruit and support volunteers, identify local skills and training needs, and contribute to training and leadership development work. 

• Act as an ambassador for the project, helping to build links with other community groups in the borough and in other areas 

• Help develop collaborative working with partner organisations 

• Use the core skills and key principles of community organising to help build a new, sustainable community organisation. 

Deadline for final applications is Friday 3rd January 2020 at 12.00 midday

Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday 15th January 2020    

For further clarification contact:   matt@twcp.org.uk      

Please note:

Riverside School is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people in our recruitment procedures and in all our work across and beyond school. The school adheres to statutory guidelines in respect to safe recruitment. All persons employed by the school, in any capacity, will undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and confirmation of employment is subject to a successful outcome. All teaching staff members recruited by the school have their eligibility to teach checked with the DfE.