Big Ideas Programme Coordinator x2

We run a number of different programmes to deliver our mission. These two roles will be part of our award-winning Big Ideas Programme, which is a national STEM and enterprise programme with a focus on sustainability. It starts with Big Ideas Days held in schools, where teams of students explore sustainability issues and identify those that they want to solve.

The teams of students, aged 11-14, are mentored by staff from locally-based business partner companies who facilitate them to use their STEM skills to generate their creative solutions and enter their ideas into our Big Ideas Competition. The Competition continues with Regional Finals at local universities and culminates with regional winners presenting at the National Final at the Palace of Westminster, hosted by a cross-party group of MPs. 

The Big Ideas Programme promotes the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and supports the Government-adopted Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance. The programme involves employees from our Business Partners who spend time mentoring young people so they can develop business plans for their Big Ideas. For businesses, this provides an off-the-shelf employee volunteering scheme that offers management development, employee engagement and a great opportunity to demonstrate corporate social responsibility. 

Over the last nine years we have grown our impact from 600 to over 3000 young people each year, working with 30 plus secondary schools. We are looking for an individual who will be driven by our mission and flourish in the role as part of the Solutions for the Planet core team. 

This is an exciting time to be joining S4TP, at a time of significant growth and development, and the candidates will require a “can-do” and “muck-in” attitude as part of a small, entrepreneurial team. 

Role responsibilities 

Programme delivery 

• Support all aspects of delivering our Big Ideas Programme (BIP) in designated schools and assist with delivery nationally across the organisation’s footprint (when required). 
• Work with Big Ideas Programme Manager to secure target number of schools, specifically managing relationships with existing school partners and retaining them for future years. 
• Deliver training for teachers and business mentors so they know how to support and make the most of the programme. 
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders including schools, teachers and mentors. 
• Liaise with lead teachers to organise Big Ideas Day(s) in each school. 
• Ensure there are enough mentors at each Big Ideas Day and mentoring sessions. 
• Lead and co-facilitate at least ten Big Ideas Days with up to 150 young people in your region and support other Big Ideas Days in other regions (as needed). 
• You will be responsible for ensuring each Big Ideas Day is a success through strong coordination with Lead teachers and business mentors for your region, including preparing all material, organising travel and liaising with the team to ensure you have booked in co-facilitators. 
• Support schools to run the programme, including attending development sessions, supporting students, supporting teachers and providing resources as necessary. 
• Check in regularly with mentors and teachers to support them in their involvement with the programme including hosting mentor + teacher virtual drop-in sessions. 
• Organise and facilitate Competition shortlisting events with partners  
• Write feedback for each team after Shortlisting, Regional and National Final events. 
• Collect evaluation of all stages of the programme and contribute to annual impact report. 
• Deliver Presentation Training to National Finalist teams. 
• Support the organisation/facilitation of Regional Final events. 
• Be self-reflective and contribute regular feedback to team members regarding potential to improve programme delivery, resources and stakeholder management. 
• Organise end of programme debrief calls with teachers and write up any feedback. 

Management, Admin and Communications 

• Undertake relevant administration for the regional programme. 
• Report on progress at weekly meetings with colleagues and with partners as required. 
• Chair/minute team meetings on a rotational basis. 
• Maintain contact database of schools and business partners in region and ensure key partners are added to our newsletter mailing list. 
• Engage with S4TP social media posts. 

Regional Development 

• Develop networks with regional third, public and private sector organisations 
• Increase knowledge of local landscape including challenges within your local area and schools: deprivation statistics, employment challenges etc. 

You will also be required to support with the following areas of work across the organisation:  

• Development of the regional partnership (attending update meetings, attending events, organising opportunities for networking/learning). 
• Development of programme resources and materials as required. 
• Development of ongoing learning and networking opportunities of mentors and teachers 
• Communications and Public Relations across the organisation. 
• Organisation and coordination of the National Final in London. 
• Delivery of events in other regions as required. 

Download the full job description here: https://solutionsfortheplanet.co.uk/current-vacancies/