Important : Applications to be in by February 8th
Work with Torridge Common Ground
Torridge Common Ground are recruiting for a freelance local Community Organiser and freelance local Digital Comms Officer to support us in consolidating and growing the organisation.
We are a community-led initiative based in Torridge, Northern Devon, that aims to put the shared values and practical vision of the community at the heart of local governance. Since we were formed in 2018, we have succeeded in supporting eight of our members getting into local council and district council, as independent candidates who won popularity mainly because they were non party political and because we had all spent a year listening to the community through over 40 peoples’ assemblies or meet ups, where people came to freely share their views and feelings.
We are driven by these principles of participatory democracy, where all voices are heard equally and no one voice or party political viewpoint gets to dominate the conversation. We have found that very often, those who have felt their voice did not matter or who never really felt the confidence to speak before, bring powerful new ideas and insights to the conversation when they are finally heard. This kind of deep inclusivity is key to what we do.
We value all innovation around empowering local people and local groups to be independent and sustainable. We are looking for two dynamic people to plan and implement ways in which we can grow engagement and involvement in our work. Both roles need someone passionate and visionary regarding building community resilience and shared vision.
Our Steering Group will work with both individuals to agree on a series of goals and a schedule of activity within an initial 6-8 month period. The posts may continue, subject to review and performance monitoring.
Both applicants will need to be able to attend meetings and events in person, especially once the current Covid restrictions are lifted. Therefore any applicant must either be local or be able and willing to travel to locations within the Torridge district.
- COMMUNITY ORGANISER
You will have an understanding of the principles of participatory democracy and share our values. You will be a creative strategist, with a strong grasp of community development to strengthen public involvement and influence change. You will report to the Steering Group at regular intervals and work closely with the Digital Communications Officer, but will also have a growing relationship with the wider community group as you help organise meetings and develop and take part in various initiatives.
- Excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills with a friendly manner.
- Can listen well and react positively to feedback.
- Excellent organizational and planning abilities, with experience of working to schedules and targets as well as running effective meetings.
- Proficient command of English.
- Good knowledge of MS Office.
- Experience in demonstrating innovative or blue sky thinking.
- Experience of community organising and grass roots movement building.
- A good knowledge of community wealth building and progressive ways for transforming the local economy to benefit local people as much as possible.
- Be sensitive to the issues of hidden poverty and supporting the most vulnerable in a community.
- A clear understanding of the practise and value of radical inclusivity.
- The ability to work closely with young people and youth providers so that they are brought into the organisation and their voice and skills are given a central place.
- Knowledge of the context of community development in the UK (e.g. Flatpack Democracy and Transition Towns).
- A demonstrable understanding of inclusivity, accessibility and barriers to engagement.
- An understanding of the socio-economic experiences of rural communities is an advantage.
- An understanding of how local councils work.
- Successful fundraising experience is an advantage.
- Able to travel to locations within the Torridge district to attend meetings and events in person once current Covid restrictions are lifted.
Overall initial budget of £5000 for the role of local community organiser. The division of time to complete this first stage of the project is to be negotiated. We would seek achievement of goals agreed with a steering group and expect that this would involve focussed activity for roughly six days a month, although this is negotiable according to your view of most effective planning. The post is available for six to eight months in the first instance - subject to review and performance monitoring.
To apply for the position of local community organiser please send your cv, details of 2 appropriate referees and your response to the following questions to jobs@torridgecommonground.org.uk with the job title you are applying for as the title of the email.
Your response can be written or recorded, and should be no more than 2 pages or 5 minutes long covering all three questions.
- What does participatory democracy mean to you, and why does it matter to communities?
- What experiences do you think qualify you for this role and what skills do you bring to this work?
- Which part of this role do you think you would find the most challenging?
- Digital Comms Officer
You will have an interest in the principles of participatory democracy and share our values. You will be an innovative and experienced expert in digital communications, publications and design as well as having an excellent grasp of effective use of social media. With the help of the wider team, you will create and deliver a plan to engage locals, especially younger people (aged 16-25), as active citizens with the desire to take part in making positive social change in our communities with Torridge Common ground. You will be an expert in website management and how to bring increased traffic and engagement to the website. You will report to the Steering Group at regular intervals and work closely with the community organiser, but will also have a growing relationship with the wider community group.
- Excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills with a friendly manner.
- Can listen well and react positively to feedback.
- Excellent organizational and planning abilities, with experience of working to schedules and targets.
- Proficient command of English.
- Good knowledge of MS office.
- Excellent knowledge of social media platforms especially Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
- Understanding of and practise in working with local media to build profile, including writing dynamic press releases and ability to develop good relationships with local journalists or producers.
- Excellent knowledge of various digital communications platforms to facilitate digital events and meetings.
- A keen interest and understanding of new developing digital platforms and applications that can be used by the group to reach further into the community and increase engagement.
- Understanding of and practise in working with local media to build profile.
- Innovative and creative skills and practise related to movement building.
- A demonstrable understanding of inclusivity, accessibility and barriers to engagement.
- Photo and Video-editing skills are an advantage.
- Filmmaking and basic animation skills are an advantage.
- An understanding of the socio-economic experiences of rural communities an advantage.
- An understanding of how local councils work.
- Able to travel to locations within the Torridge district to attend meetings and events in person once current Covid restrictions are lifted.
Overall initial budget of £5000 for the role of local digital communications officer. The division of time to complete this first stage of the project is to be negotiated. We would seek achievement of goals agreed with a steering group and expect that this would involve focussed activity for roughly six days a month, although this is negotiable according to your view of most effective planning. The post is available for six to eight months in the first instance - subject to review and performance monitoring.
To apply for the position of local digital communications officer, please send your cv, details of 2 appropriate referees and your response to the following questions to jobs@torridgecommonground.org.uk with the job title you are applying for as the title of the email.
Your response can be written or recorded, and should be no more than 2 pages or 5 minutes long covering all three questions.
- What does participatory democracy mean to you, and why does it matter to communities?
- What experiences do you think qualify you for this role and what skills do you bring to this work?
- Which part of this role do you think you would find the most challenging?
Important : Applications to be in by February 8th
