Project Lead – Job Description

Renfrewshire Foodbank – Feeding local people in crisis.

As one of Scotland’s largest foodbanks, we are committed to providing emergency food relief to families and individuals in Renfrewshire who are experiencing financial hardship. Renfrewshire Foodbank feeds over 9,000 families and individuals annually, thanks to the support, goodwill and generosity of the local community and the energy and commitment of our many volunteers.

Renfrewshire Foodbank is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

 

Job title:                            Project Lead

Salary:                              £30,000 per annum (pro rata)

Location:                          Across Renfrewshire from main office in Renfrew

Reporting to:                    Board of Trustees

Line Manager:                 Named Trustee

Management reports:     Foodbank Manager (full time post)

                                           Warehouse Coordinator

                                           Volunteer team leads – 10

                                           Volunteers’ warehouse and distribution – 110

                                           Additional collection only volunteers – 75

Budget responsibility:    Accountable for operational budgets and                  

                                           financial management in liaison with Treasurer

Hours:                               21 hours per week (flexible to meet service need)

Contract:                          Permanent post

 

This is a significant opportunity to make a direct contribution to fight against hunger and the deep and damaging inequalities in health and income.

 

Renfrewshire Foodbank is a charity founded on Christian principles. Not every member of the team is a Christian, but we all subscribe to the same value system.

 

Main Purpose of Job

The Project Lead will play a critical role in ensuring the long-term sustainability and growth of Renfrewshire Foodbank during challenging times and in the face of increasing demand. The post holder will work with the Board of Trustees and The Trussell Trust to further develop and implement a 3-year business plan for the organisation ensuring delivery of our strategic aims. This includes creative measures to help those experiencing food poverty and deprivation in Renfrewshire by supporting and encouraging self-help and support schemes, mobilising voluntary and community resources and accessing new sources of funding which can sustain and where appropriate extend the reach, scope and scale of operation of the organisation.

As Project Lead you will have oversight of all operational and strategic business of Renfrewshire Foodbank. The post holder will manage the Foodbank Manager who has responsibility for the effective day to day operations ensuring that the agreed operating model is followed (refer to Foodbank Manager Job profile/scope of operational responsibility).

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategy development and business planning

  • Working with the Board of Trustees to review our strategic objectives for Renfrewshire Foodbank for the coming 3 years, including an outcomes framework focused on service users and those affected by food poverty and food insecurity in Renfrewshire
  • With the Board develop 3-year Business Plan, including income, service, and operational plans, to deliver our strategic objectives in partnership with The Trussell Trust
  • The post holder will lead the implementation and monitoring of key measurable results/ components of the Foodbank business plan.
  • Working with the Board of Trustees review and update the Foodbank Risk Register and Contingency Plan
  • Oversee the operational planning of the foodbank including self-evaluation, monitoring & evaluation, and quality assurance
  • Identify areas of unmet need and propose possible solutions to be presented to the Board of Trustees

Staff andVolunteer management and development

  • To succeed in this role, you will demonstrate a wide range of management skills including excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills; forward planning and strategy; decision making and problem solving and leadership and organisational skills
  • Line management of the Foodbank Manager, including supporting professional development through regular supervision meetings and production of work and development plans
  • Support Foodbank Manager to take overall responsibility for the management of the Warehouse Co-ordinator, volunteer team leads and volunteers in the foodbank office, distribution points, collections and food store
  • Support the Foodbank Manager to lead on development of volunteer teams, including volunteer roles, developing appropriate induction and training, and ensuring appropriate policy and procedures for all aspects of our work undertaken by volunteers
  • Develop training plan detailing requirements for Foodbank Manager, Warehouse Co-ordinator, volunteer team leads and volunteers. Consider initiatives including peer support mechanisms and feedback surveys etc.

Income generation and fundraising

  • Key aspect of this post will be fundraising
  • In collaboration with the Foodbank Manager, support individuals and organisations to generate fundraised income to support sustainability of the charity
  • Lead the planning, organising and delivery of events and campaigns to raise service awareness and fundraising to referrers and donors that support an overarching development and fundraising programme
  • In collaboration with the Board and where appropriate with consultancy services review budgets, targets and research prospective funding sources. Complete funding and grant applications, submissions and reports.

Communication and Working Relationships

  • Oversee the development of a communication strategy with all relevant people including Foodbank Manager, referrers, volunteers, Foodbank Trustees, churches, local businesses and the Trussell Trust
  • Lead the foodbank management team ensuring robust local communication plan is in place – understanding needs of different stakeholders and communicate with them effectively
  • In liaison with the Foodbank Manager ensure the local communication plan is updated and seeks to ensure clear, consistent and positive communication with a wide range of external agencies, funders and media.
  • Regular feedback and effective communication, verbal, written or electronic, is required and the post holder must ensure clear two-way communication between the Foodbank Manager and all volunteer team leads and volunteers.
  • In liaison with the Foodbank Manager produce timeous reports (7 days ahead of Board meetings) for the regular Board Meetings and as required by the Board and funders)
  • In liaison with Foodbank Manager oversee foodbank representation at community events
  • In partnership with the Foodbank Manager the post holder will be sensitive to the welfare of the volunteers and the impact the front facing role may have upon the individual

Assignment and Review of Work

  • The post holder sets and agrees objectives and work plans with the Named Trustee/ Board of Trustees
  • The post holder will use leadership, initiative and collaborate to assist the Foodbank Manager in seeking innovative solutions to problems that may be without precedent
  • Formal and informal meetings with the Foodbank Manager and as required with the Trustee Board to review and report on progress
  •  In liaison with the Foodbank Manager produce timeous reports (7 days ahead of Board meetings) for the regular Board Meetings and as required by the Board and funders)

 

Person Specification

Applicants must be able to demonstrate:

 

Criteria Essential Desirable
Experience    
Business planning; including financial planning and generating income through fundraising   x
Line management, including staff supervision and development x  
Managing and recruiting volunteers   x
Fundraising including through grants, developing key relationships with donors, generating cash and in-kind donations x  
Working with Charity trustees and some understanding of charity governance   x
Demonstrate experience of working with vulnerable people to improve life chances x  
Demonstrate experience of successful leadership of service, project or community-based organisation to achieve objectives x  
Demonstrate supervisory or management experience delivering service and performance targets x  
Experience in a customer facing or customer service role x  
Experience of delivering outreach services and event planning and delivery x  
Knowledge of the benefits system and support agencies both voluntary and statutory   x
Knowledge and Skills    
Good understanding of our client groups, the causes of food poverty and insecurity, and related issues x  
Some knowledge of outcomes focused approaches to developing services that meet a need, including Theory of Change   x
Knowledge of the benefits system, services and support available to people experiencing food poverty and the food poverty context in Renfrewshire   x
Good analytical skills, ability to identify risks and opportunities and respond x  
Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, and some knowledge of social media x  
Good communication skills including written and presentation skills x  
Knowledge of voluntary and third sector in Scotland and Renfrewshire   x
Negotiating skills and the ability to resolve conflicts x  
Knowledge of safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults, children and young people x  
Knowledge of health and safety in the work place and in a warehouse facility, food handling and volunteers x  
Clear understanding of management responsibilities and commitment to delivery of high-quality services x  
Able to work well as part of a team providing effective leadership and management. x  
Ability to work independently and unsupervised. x  
Personal    
Confident presenting information to a wide range of audiences, acting as the spokesperson for Renfrewshire Foodbank with strategic partners, donors, service users, volunteers and media x  
Personal integrity and honesty, proven ability to maintain high standards of professionalism and confidentiality x  
Value respect, integrity and discretion in all interactions and activities, in line with the values of the Renfrewshire Foodbank x  
Value actively listening and learning; appreciating the worth and diversity of each person x  
Non- judgemental in approach uphold and protect the dignity of all service users and volunteers x  
Positive approach to tasks and challenges, and commitment to delivering our strategic objectives x  
Passionate about the work of the Foodbank and helping tackle poverty in Renfrewshire x  
Ability to work flexibly and to work some out of hours including evenings and weekends x  
Other    

UK driving licence and access to a car is essential

 

 x  

 

To apply, simply send your CV along with a statement in support of your application to the Chair at Renfrewshire Foodbank – Email:  [email protected]

 

Closing date for applications is 12 noon, Tuesday 31 August 2021.

Interviews will be held on 8 and 9 September 2021.