Community Inclusion Co-ordinator

Fixed Term for 15 Months

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

To fulfil a pivotal leadership and co-ordination role for project AIMER and for the development of community cohesion projects in Medway, including through the Prevent programme.

To demonstrate an in depth knowledge of all aspects of the community Cohesion and inclusion agenda, at both national & local level.

To develop strong partnership co-operation and working relationships with Cross border partners from France and Belgium working on the delivery of the AIMER project. To ensure AIMER can be championed by the Interreg Secretariat as a beacon of good practice in cross-border co-operation.

To develop effective working relationships with and between colleagues from local partner organisations particularly Medway Ethnic Minorities Forum, Kent Muslim Welfare Association, other local Muslim organisations, eastern European community organisations, Kent Police, NHS Medway and other local community and voluntary organisations.

To act as a consistent source of practical support and guidance to staff in the service and colleagues across the Council who are developing, monitoring and delivering community cohesion initiatives. To define remedial action with them and working with them when necessary to overcome problems and difficulties that may impede the strengthening of community cohesion.

To ensure that the AIMER project and Prevent programmes are being implemented correctly and are achieving the targets and progress agreed with the funding agencies. To work closely in particular with the AIMER Project Officer.

To service the Equalities & Cohesion Advisory Group, providing regular updates on AIMER project delivery and working closely with colleagues from Corporate Research & Review on the preparation and delivery of Group meetings, ensuring effective representation from ethnicity and faith groups and defining with the Group community cohesion action on the ground in the neighbourhoods. To act as the lead officer on national policy related to community cohesion.

To service the local Prevent Steering Group, working with Assistant Director, Front Line Services, Corporate Research & Review, community cohesion staff and Safer Communities staff to ensure full engagement and involvement of Medway’s Muslim communities in the Prevent programme and project AIMER.

PERSON SPECIFICATION You will have/ be:

High educational standard to graduate level or equivalent.

Demonstrable experience of working within local government or a relevant public or community organisation

Developing, negotiating and implementing partnerships with a range of statutory, voluntary and other agencies;

A successful track record of working on delivery of community cohesion, inclusion and diversity projects and initiatives.

In depth understanding of community cohesion issues and cohesion programmes and initiatives at national level.

Good working knowledge of working with communities from across cultural, ethnic and faith backgrounds and of engaging in initiatives that encourage multi-cultural and community cohesion.

Working with Members and in a politically sensitive environment, with notable experience of dealing with the public and the media.

Able to demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the service and the wider organizational context and how this interfaces with Members and possess the skills required to take a lead role in ensuring partnerships work.

Commitment to equality and diversity, identifying service strategies to deliver equitable and fair services for users and employees, challenging discriminatory practices and actively managing and promoting diversity.

Demonstrable ability to instigate change and able to develop service objectives from strategy, ensuring teams are motivated and employee development is linked to service needs.

Ability to develop long and short term strategies which align to the wider service plan and demonstrable experience of setting clear boundaries for responsibility to ensure individual development is linked to this.

Demonstrable experience of line management

Excellent communication, negotiation, consultation and influencing skills tailored to meet the needs of a wide range of audiences and stakeholders.

Ability to build and maintain supportive and empathetic relationships, securing people’s support and commitment to a course of action or different way of thinking by presenting ideas convincingly and persuasively, and to lead major negotiations.

Able to manage complex projects, assessing and taking account of known risks, able to adapt to changes and problems along the way.

Able to make best use of resources, effectively managing budgets, information and contract letting taking into account health and safety issues.

• Please see the extra information section for details on how to apply for this post.*