Job Description

If you have a strong understanding of the impact of the violence, racial inequity and systemic injustice on marginalised communities and are passionate about empowering those most affected to create a change, then we can’t wait to hear from you!

ABOUT US

The 4Front Project is a member-led youth organisation empowering young people and communities to fight for justice, peace and freedom. The organisation was established in 2012 to provide a platform for those who have been impacted by violence to create change. We support members with experiences of violence and the criminal justice system to create change in their own lives, communities and society.

Over the last eight years, we have pioneered an approach that empowers those most directly harmed by violence and the criminal justice system to be at the forefront of a grassroots movement for change. Our holistic model has been designed specifically to support young people aged 13 - 25 with complex needs as a result of multiple systemic disadvantages and disproportionate exposure to serious violence. By advocating for a holistic approach to build peace, we are transforming the way in which society understands how to support young people who have been affected by violence and shaping the agenda around how to tackle the systemic causes of it. 

We acknowledge the impact of racism and discrimination on our members and actively work to dismantle these systems, whilst supporting members to recognise their strengths and identify systemic barriers to their progress. In this way, we support 4Front members to make changes in their own lives, whilst exploring the inequity they’ve experienced and amplifying their voices to create systemic change. Becoming a member means joining a powerful youth-led movement for change that is transforming the way peace and justice are understood by centring healing, rather than punishment. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for an ambitious and experienced Head of Operations to drive our vision forward. This new, varied and exciting role combines strategic planning with operational management, including responsibility for organisational strategy, partnerships, fundraising, HR and communications. This role deputises for the Executive Director and is integral in supporting the continuous improvement of the organisational infrastructure, ensuring robust governance, risk management, compliance and long-term financial planning. You will work as part of a small, driven and committed team and be the logistical 'go-to' person. You will be responsible for ensuring that the core functions of the organisation meet our strategic objectives and values. You will sustain funding so that young people and our entire community can grow with the support of healing, imaginative, and liberating relationships. You will be a visionary leader, seeing your work at The 4Front Project as a crucial part of your identity and purpose in life. You will be committed to upholding our vision, mission, principles and values at all times. You will be bold, actively contributing to a workplace culture that centres justice, healing, change and hope. This role demands a high level of flexibility, initiative and dedication. You will play a fundamental role in shaping The 4Front Project into the future.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

LEADERSHIP, PARTNERSHIP & STRATEGIC VISION

• Collaborate with our members, staff, the board and other key stakeholders to co-design an ambitious strategy which fulfils our long term vision

• Develop logistical plans to enable the seamless delivery of our strategic goals

• Build a new communications strategy which effectively captures and promotes all aspects of our complex and transformative work

• Develop and nurture national and international partnerships that center racial equity and social justice, and effect systems-level change

• Build effective relationships and collaborate with a broad group of stakeholders ranging from lawyers, therapeutic practitioners, educators and campaigners to support the implementation of our strategic goals

• Elevate and amplify our reputation, influence, and leadership by building new networks, alliances and collaborative partnerships

• Develop our impact monitoring and evaluation processes 

GOVERNANCE, RISK MANAGEMENT & ORGANISATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

• Support staff, volunteers and the board in carrying out the essential administrative tasks needed for the good governance and smooth running of the organisation

• Ensure all company records are clear and up-to-date to enable smooth filing of annual reports

• Ensure that staff and volunteers understand and implement our policies

• Ensure that the organisation is compliant with all relevant legislation by conducting risk assessments, monitoring performance, reviewing procedures and supporting the maintenance of the risk register

• Fulfil the duties of the Data Protection Officer and support staff and volunteers to maintain the security and confidentiality of our members

• Ensure the correct organisational insurance policies are in place at all times

• Increase the effectiveness and efficiency of our operations through reviewing and developing initiatives to improve our central functions, including HR, IT, administration, finance, fundraising and communications

FINANCE, DEVELOPMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

• Develop and implement an ambitious and effective fundraising strategy with a particular focus on diversifying our funding streams and building our donor base

• Prepare high-quality, detailed bids for capital and revenue funds by listening to and sharing the stories emerging from our work as well as collaborating with our members to vision for the future

• Coordinate the receipt of grant payments and collaborate with the team to prepare comprehensive reports to all funders in line with reporting requirements

• Build effective strategic networks and relationships to support income growth

• Maintain and upkeep the database in line with GDPR and data protection procedures

• Communicate with relevant grant managers to keep them up to date with organisational developments, events, and activities

• Coordinate the annual budgeting, financial planning, and fundraising processes

• Oversee monthly and quarterly assessments and forecasts of our financial performance against budget and operational goals.

HR, PEOPLE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

• Guide and support the Campaigns and Communications Coordinator and Media and Communications Assistant to enable them to deliver the central communications function of the organisation

• Oversee and develop all stages of the employee and volunteer cycle process, from job design and recruitment to performance management, development and leaving processes

• Develop and regularly review HR-related policies and procedures, ensuring ongoing organisational compliance with all relevant employment law

• Ensure that all staffing policies, processes and decisions are in line with our organisational values, and nurture a supportive, fair, developmental and happy workplace for the entire team

• Support the team to understand and effectively implement organisational policies and procedures

• Monitor and make recommendations regarding staffing and recruitment needs, and develop strategies for ensuring the immediate and long-term staffing needs of the organisation are met

• Provide ongoing HR expertise for the team and proactively, consistently and skilfully address any staffing issues

• Maintain up-to-date and comprehensive staff records, in line with best practice and GDPR requirements

• Draft and manage all staff and consultant contracts, ensuring the documents are accurate, tailored to the specific context and legally compliant

• Review job descriptions regularly to ensure they are up to date, consistent and fit for purpose

• Conduct salary reviews and make recommendations to the remuneration policy

• Manage and further develop the staff benefits packages, including overseeing relevant internal processes and liaising with external benefits providers

• Develop and coordinate a holistic training offer for the team by curating external training opportunities and developing internal opportunities for learning, growth and development

• Develop a comprehensive wellbeing strategy and appropriate support processes

• Coordinate regular individual and group clinical supervision sessions for the team

• Ensure that individual staff members experiencing personal or professional challenges have access to appropriate support

• Gather staff feedback for continuous organisational learning and development

You will also provide cover on occasion and undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested of you outside of this role description.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL

• An understanding of social justice issues, systemic inequality and injustice, including the impact of the criminal justice system on marginalised communities
• Strong and proven strategic leadership experience including developing strategic direction and planning and implementing successful growth plans
• Strong management experience including developing staff, developing culture and overseeing organisational development.
• Proven experience in managing complex and sensitive staff and organisational issues with empathy, fairness, consistency and appropriate confidentiality
• Proven experience in an operations and/or HR role including designing and/or maintaining processes, systems and policies in line with best practice
• Proven experience of setting and working to targets, budgets, and deadlines
• Experience managing work involving legal compliance and working with complex processes and documents
• Knowledge of GDPR issues and how they relate to HR processes
• Experience of working robustly within challenging and unpredictable environments as well as effectively managing change
• Excellent teamwork skills and experience of supporting and motivating others

DESIRABLE

• First-hand experiences of the issues we address through our work
• Experience of working in an organisation which promotes the rights of vulnerable communities with multiple disadvantages
• A thorough understanding of safeguarding and child protection frameworks
• Demonstrable track record of individually building successful income generating relationships and securing significant income (corporate, public sector, individual philanthropy or trusts and foundations)
• Qualification or advanced training in a relevant area such as human resources (including CIPD), organisational management or law
• Understanding of social impact reporting and experience of monitoring and evaluation systems to measure service impact
• Experience building and maintaining excellent relationships with community organisations and partners
• Experience of producing reports of organisational outcomes, outputs, and financial activity
• Experience of effective communications, digital marketing and social media
• Experience of using CRM effectively

HOW TO APPLY

THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS THURSDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2020 AT 12.00PM

We would like this position to start as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, so we encourage early applications. 

To apply for this position, please send:

1. A comprehensive and relevant CV

2. A supporting statement addressing the person specification 

3. And either:

• An essay answering the questions below (no longer than 750 words for each question). 

• A video of you addressing the questions below (no longer than 8 minutes in total).

1) What do the words ‘justice’, ‘peace’ and ‘freedom’ mean to you and how have these concepts impacted your view of the world? 

2) What are your top three priorities for building equity in our society and how would you go about it?

3) What does empowerment mean to you and how do you feel it can be incorporated as a principle in your work?

This will be reviewed by 4Front Members, Staff and Trustees.

There is a 3-stage selection process:

1.  An initial video interview (30 mins)

2. An interactive in person interview with 4Front Members and Staff (including a preparation task)

3. A final round interview with the Board of Trustees.

We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate against candidates who may have previous convictions. We will also make reasonable adjustments for employees that may have access requirements.

Please ensure you quote the job reference number in the subject line of your email.