Yorkshire Programme Manager

Hey there, come join our team and help us build a better world.

This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for someone looking to play a leading role in a small but influential national charity building a positive legacy for the late Jo Cox MP. We are looking for someone with experience of working on community building initiatives, who is skilled in engaging and working collaboratively with diverse communities, with a flexible and empathetic approach, and a genuine commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Through this role you will play a key part in continuing Jo Cox s legacy over the years to come.

ABOUT THE JO COX FOUNDATION S WORK IN WEST YORKSHIRE

We want less lonely, better connected communities across the UK, where everyone feels that they belong. Jo Cox s career took her around the world, yet her sense of belonging and her identity were always firmly rooted in Yorkshire. She knew that developing social connections with people like us, and with those who are different, helps to build individual and collective wellbeing, trust, resilience and cohesion.

The Jo Cox Foundation has its roots in West Yorkshire and our work here brings people together, increasing people s social support networks and feelings of belonging. This enables us to improve lives locally, while also building our knowledge, credibility and evidence to share with communities and platforms across the UK.

I am Batley and Spen born and bred, and I could not be prouder of that. I am proud that I was made in Yorkshire and I am proud of the things we make in Yorkshire. Britain should be proud of that, too.

Jo Cox, Maiden Speech 2015

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Yorkshire Programme Manager has responsibility for the development and delivery of our community programmes in West Yorkshire, with a particular focus on Batley, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike.

At present, this is focussed on leading our Bridging & Belonging project, which aims to co-produce a vision for the future of Batley, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike. We expect that the insight that we produce from this project will determine the direction of our community programmes in West Yorkshire over the coming years.

Working with the project s Community Group, you ll support them to deliver a series of community events that capture the issues, needs and skills of the community and identify the action that the community wants to see.

As the project draws to a conclusion, you ll play a key role in planning our future work in West Yorkshire, in conjunction with the Head of Community Programmes, and will provide information and support for grant applications for this future work.

ABOUT THE BRIDGING & BELONGING PROJECT

We know from our work in West Yorkshire that community members want to connect with each other, influence change, and use their ideas and skills to benefit the community. Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, this project aims to facilitate this through a series of community events and activities in Batley, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike. These events will explore the themes of community, place and belonging, and will help us create a shared vision for the future of the area.

This project has already been established, so you ll start with an in-depth project plan in place and a small but engaged Community Group made up of people from across Batley, Dewsbury, Heckmondwike and surrounding areas. With them we have started planning for the first three community events. You ll also get support in running this project from a Project Officer and our Head of Community Programmes.

Through your leadership of this project over the next 12 months, we will:

• Grow the Community Group to around 15 people

• Support the group to plan and deliver a series of community events across Batley, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike. These events will be for anyone with a connection to the area to connect, listen, and share stories on the themes of community, place and belonging.

• Support the group by organising and facilitating regular meetings, identifying any skills needs they have, and sourcing / providing training where relevant.

ABOUT YOU

We re looking for someone who is motivated and positive about making change happen in the area. You need to be happy to work as part of a remote team, but also have the confidence and ability to work independently and on your own initiative.

You ll have a deep understanding of, and experience of engaging with, communities in West Yorkshire, particularly Batley, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike. You ll have excellent interpersonal skills, and experience of facilitating group meetings and workshops in creative and engaging ways. This project has already started, so you ll also need an ability to digest information and build relationships quickly.

You ll have strong project management skills, and ideally experience planning and delivering events. Experience working with Steering Groups and reporting to funders will also be helpful.

Lastly, you will have strongly held personal values which align with The Jo Cox Foundation s vision and Jo s more in common ethos. These will be reflected in your respect for others and the desire to make a truly positive contribution through your work.