Domestic Abuse Partnership Officer

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are looking to appoint a passionate, enthusiastic and experienced Project Officer to join our Safer Communities Team, within the work area of domestic abuse. The post holder will support the DA & VAWG Lead to deliver the local authority partnership response to domestic abuse and VAWG within North Somerset.

This post will deliver key projects and engage with multiagency partners and stakeholders to support delivery of the local strategic response to domestic abuse, including the local MARAC, Domestic Homicide Reviews and any other activity to support the wider team.

Under the guidance of the Domestic Abuse & VAWG Lead, you will help us drive this work forward. We are seeking an enthusiastic, pro-active individual with excellent communication and organisational skills to work collaboratively with partners including schools, police and health colleagues as well as our local community. A key element of this role will involve engaging with survivors of domestic abuse to ensure their voice is represented in our work.

In this role, you will;

• Be an organised and motivated self-starter who wants to make a difference for survivors of domestic abuse in North Somerset.

• Be working alongside the wider Safer Communities Team, who are responsible for developing and delivering the Council’s strategies to tackle violence, anti-social behaviour and enviro-crime to help make our communities safer.

• Be an engaging and articulate communicator able to adapt to different circumstances and audiences to get the best out of opportunities. A proven track record of project management as well as knowledge of the domestic abuse and violence against women and girls (VAWG) agenda is desirable.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project delivery
• Stakeholder and community engagement with public
• Co-development and co-production work with local survivors
• Leading and developing key events, comms & initiatives to promote local support services and raise awareness of domestic abuse & VAWG

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

This position is currently based at the Town Hall, Weston-super-Mare.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

Flexible Worker

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate and driven by the domestic abuse and VAWG agenda, values the importance of coproduction with stakeholders, including people with lived experience, and is not afraid to test new approaches and changes, and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Qualification or experience to level 4 or above, relevant to the domestic abuse/VAWG/community safety sector
• Experience of multiagency working in partnership across a range of sectors and seniority levels.
• Experience in delivering clear and concise reports and presentations.
• Experience of problem-solving, being innovative and creative in designing and implementing solutions.
• Ability to prepare & present evidence clearly and confidently both virtually and in-person through a variety of mediums.
• Ability to use ICT for monitoring and reporting
• Working knowledge and understanding of relevant practice, policy and legislation including Domestic Abuse Act 2021, Domestic Violence, Crime & Victims Act 2004.
• Sound understanding of domestic abuse/VAWG including complexity and dynamics.
• Ability to manage/organise own work to meet agreed deadlines
• Understanding and recognition of professional boundaries.
• Able to present ideas / or influence changes effectively and enthuse/motivate all those involved in the change process.

Desirable Criteria:

• Qualification in project management or relevant experience
• Able to use data and feedback to understand local issues, assess the impacts and identify the most appropriate solution.
• Responds reflectively to issues, seeking solutions and modifying plans as appropriate or making recommendations for remedial action.
• Ability to professionally represent organisation at local and national forums, boards and stakeholder groups.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Hannah Gray, Domestic Abuse & VAWG Lead at hannah.gray@n-somerset.gov.uk or telephone 07469 406148

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: Friday, 11th July (TBC)

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.