Network and Youth Engagement Manager

Salary/Rate: £34,000 pa 

Hours: 35hrs

Status: Permanent

Holidays: 25 days + bank holidays (pro rata)

Location: Home-based with access to co-work spaces in Manchester, Reading or London and regular travel to Foyers and events.

Reporting to: Head of Programmes and Network

Role Purpose

• To authentically develop and nurture relationships with staff working in Foyers to engage them in our events, programmes and initiatives, and to ensure our offer is relevant to the experiences, needs and ambitions of staff in all roles.
• To actively engage young people in our youth-focused programmes and initiatives so they can realise their power and purpose, developing as leaders in their communities.
• To engage and grow a wider Advantaged Thinking movement that connects thinkers and doers, fosters learning and shares inspiration. 

Objectives

1. To actively engage service managers, delivery staff and young people to ensure they benefit fully from the Foyer Federation membership offer. 
2. To create, develop and deliver Advantaged Thinking programmes, events, resources and training that provide genuine value and lasting impact for our network and their young people. 
3. Bring asset-based organisations and people together to act as a force for Advantaged Thinking in the youth sector, alongside Foyer members.  

Duties & Accountabilities

• Network

1. To take a leading role in nurturing and sustaining an Advantaged Thinking network through developing positive relationships at a local level, and actively working to engage people in the network who interact with us the least. You will make it your business to know all there is to know about our members to make sure our offer is relevant, valued and beneficial.
2. Maximise engagement and maintain relationships with staff at a local level, increasing awareness of the Foyer Federation’s role, offer and value among direct delivery staff.
3. Use your local-level relationships to spot opportunities for growth and product sales, liaising with our Head of Development and Partnerships to follow up leads.
4. To foster a culture of high aspiration within and beyond the Foyer network, and support the development of staff working with young people.
5. To influence the organisation’s strategic direction using the learning from day-to-day interactions with our network.
6. Work in partnership with the Head of Programmes and Network to design and deliver network events, co-creation workshops and practical resources to support the network. 
7. To oversee the induction, retention and renewal of members, working with the Communications and Membership Officer and appropriate systems to track and manage the process, including when services move between membership tiers.
8. To work alongside the Communications and Membership Officer to ensure members are kept informed of the Federation’s current activities and opportunities. 
9. To maintain effective three-way communication channels between the Foyer Federation, young people and the network using tools when appropriate, eg surveys, CRM and social media. 

• Young People Engagement

1. To work in partnership with the Head of Programmes and Network to maintain an engaged group of young people to collaborate with on Foyer Federation activities.
2. To work alongside the Head of Programmes and Network to design and deliver projects and initiatives for young people in line with the strategy.
3. To explore and develop new ideas and methods for engaging young people in Foyers, drawing on the experience and knowledge of our members.
4. To manage ongoing projects and initiatives for young people, eg talent bonds, activities within our Power Up Youth strategy.
5. To consistently seek to improve and grow opportunities for young people with lived experience of homelessness to meaningfully influence and contribute to the running of local supported housing services and the Foyer Federation at an operational and strategic level, including appropriate involvement with the Trustees. 
6. To act as the Operational Safeguarding Lead for the Foyer Federation, staying up to date with the latest legislation, advice and good practice. 

• Membership Offer and Training

1. Act as the main point of contact for training enquiries, arranging bookings, gathering and sharing key information, and working with the team to plan the training schedule. 
2. Take a lead role in promoting, developing and delivering the Foyer Federation’s core training offer to current and prospective members, and others in the youth sector.
3. To work with and develop additional trainers to co-design and co-deliver training, including growing a group of young people who can co-deliver the Foyer Federation’s training offer on a regular basis.
4. To work with the Head of Programmes and Network to develop, design and deliver a regular calendar of network events, including associated administration such as scheduling and booking.
5. To collect and use feedback to ensure our training offer, events and programmes remain relevant to the needs of our network, young people and the wider youth sector.

• General

1. To apply the Foyer Federation’s policies and procedures and ensure compliance with relevant obligations, including Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Data Protection and Equal Opportunities.
2. To ensure your own continuing professional development by undergoing training and other activities.
3. To undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required.

This job description may be amended from time to time, as the needs of the organisation require.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience and Skills:

1. Experience in building, nurturing and managing complex relationships both with youth work and/or housing professionals and young people.
2. Demonstrable expertise or transferable skills in the following areas: 
3. Project management
4. Training and facilitation
5. Relationship management
6. Event management
7. Experience of working within a youth supported housing setting, or similar.
8. Experience of securing buy-in and engagement in projects and events involving young people and practitioners.
9. Evidence of using an Advantaged Thinking or another asset based approach to innovate in a professional, voluntary or personal capacity.
10. Experience of communicating with and influencing practitioners, managers, commissioners, statutory agencies and other stakeholders involved in developing and delivering young people’s services.
11. Demonstrable insight into the future potential and needs of different groups of young people who are unable to live at home, the services that work with them, and the opportunities to create Advantaged Thinking solutions.
12. Capable of using various technology platforms (e.g. Microsoft, Apple products, Zoom, Google suite) and other communications tools and approaches including Social Media platforms.

Attitudes and Behaviours:

1. A proactive, high-energy team player with a can-do attitude who enjoys working collaboratively, drawing on, facilitating and supporting the talents of others across different functions.
2. Exceptional planning and organisational skills, able to work under pressure and prioritise competing tasks to meet deadlines, with a flexible approach to meeting the changing demands of project activity.
3. Clear and personable communicator and negotiator, both orally (including telephone) and written, able to influence different audiences through meetings, training sessions and presentations, reports and correspondence without the need for supervision.
4. Applies Advantaged Thinking in practice, communicating it with others and spotting and developing potential Advantaged Thinkers.
5. An individual who lives the values of the organisation personally and has a strong commitment to the Foyer Federation’s mission and purpose with an active interest in developing innovative solutions and more effective investment in young people.
6. Collaborative and flexible approach, able to listen, engage and demonstrate tact and diplomacy

Competencies:

1. Building and maintaining relationships
2. Training and event delivery
3. Creative thinker
4. Communicating and influencing
5. Acts on Innovation

If you would like an informal conversation about the role please contact [email removed - click apply for more details] our Head of Programmes and Network

TO APPLY

To apply, download and read the full job description, application form and equal opportunities form from our website, and return the completed form and a copy of your CV to [email removed - click apply for more details] by 12pm Thursday 8th September. 

First interviews will be held on 13th and 14th September online, and second interviews will be in person in London or Manchester on 23rd September.