Strategic Network Manager
BASED IN HADDENHAM, BUCKS
Hours: 30 hours a week
£31,201 – £31,968 pro rata (based on £39002 – £39961 FTE)
Fixed Term Contract: Immediate Start until March 2023
Strategic Network Manager
Job Description
Thames Valley Partnership is a well established charity within the Criminal Justice sector and has been operating for over 27 years. It provides a mixture pf programmes delivering support for victims of crime, offenders and their families.
Role Title: Strategic Network Manager
This role is 0.8 FTE (30 hours per week), paid pro rata £31,201 – £31,968 (based on £39002 FTE – £39961 FTE and depending on qualification and experience) and is offered on a Fixed Term contract to March 31, 2023. The successful candidate will be based at the offices of Thames Valley Partnership at Aston Sandford, Bucks HP17 8JB. Applicants wishing to pursue an external secondment opportunity would be welcomed.
Postholder Reports to: the Chief Executive, Thames Valley Partnership
Role: The role will manage the final year of an exciting 3-year project aimed at strengthening the capacity of the voluntary sector in Thames Valley to engage with the criminal justice agenda at both a strategic and operational level and deliver rehabilitation and resettlement services for probation and prisons:
- The overall objective of the project is to work within a specific geographical area (Thames Valley) to test out ways in which specialist Voluntary Sector Organisations (VCS) can build capacity and come together to better support Criminal Justice agencies in their efforts to reduce reoffending and strengthen communities.
- We aim to achieve this by strengthening a new structure that will facilitate the Sector establishing strong relationships with Criminal Justice Agencies (newly reorganised Probation Services, OPCC, Local Criminal Justice Board and local Prisons), to influence strategic and operational planning and capacity build their organisations to provide effective services and innovation.
- Research based on the recent Transforming Rehabilitation Probation Reforms confirms that the voluntary sector is significantly under-represented, under pressure and under resourced in the current probation model and capacity building together will assist with this.
- Thames Valley is a complex area to work in. Although very affluent, there are pockets of high deprivation and social exclusion with pressure on public services. Thames Valley Partnership is one of the few charities working in the criminal justice field, has an excellent reputation and track record and is well connected to the relevant agencies. Our project would be taken forward by a Strategic Network Manager with administrative support and a development budget.
- Organising and Facilitating network events
- Exploring and sharing fundraising opportunities and closer collaborative working.
Key Tasks:
- Formalise support for the project from key Criminal Justice agencies: Thames Valley Local Criminal Justice Board, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, National Probation Service, Thames Valley Community Rehabilitation Company and local Prisons.
- Explore how the project can be integrated into the strategic plans of key partners.
- Consult with Clinks on the best way of providing support to Voluntary Sector organisations and disseminating information at a local level.
- Review the scoping exercise in every Thames Valley Local Authority to identify Voluntary Sector Organisations who currently provide, or would be formally interested in, providing services to Criminal Justice Agencies to help people desist from offending.
- Engage with voluntary sector umbrella organisations in each of the Thames Valley Local Authority areas to seek their active support for the project.
- Engage with Community Safety Managers in each of Thames Valley’s Local Authority Areas and explore how the project can strengthen the voice of the Voluntary Sector in responding to consultations and contributing to strategic planning.
- Establish a formal network of organisations interested in receiving information and participating in regular briefing events, relevant capacity building workshops and dissemination of best practice.
- Together with other criminal justice partners, develop a programme of workshops and day events to be held across Thames Valley to highlight the local implications of national Criminal Justice issues including cross-cutting themes and to identify and share best practice and develop improvement plans.
- Monitor the development of the HMPPS Commissioning intentions in relation to rehabilitative and resettlement services especially in the proposed dynamic framework. Disseminate information to interested Voluntary Sector organisations and provide support to any that want to apply.
- Develop horizon scanning methodology to understand funding opportunities and work with others to ensure services are sighted and to collaborate and gain maximum benefit.
- Working together with a new consortium led by the OPCC of Criminal Justice Charities to reduce reoffending behaviour.
- It is Imperative that year 3, following a number of covid related issues, raises the voices of the Criminal Justice voluntary sector and creates a more constructive network.
Person Specification
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Essential
- Good knowledge and understanding of the Criminal Justice system, current pressures and proposed developments
- Good knowledge and understanding of the Voluntary Sector and the challenges facing charities
- Ability to think strategically and analyse situations
- Good track record of effective partnership working and working effectively with partners at a senior level
- Knowledge and understanding of project management, monitoring and evaluation and commitment to continuous improvement.
- Excellent negotiation and mediation skills
- Excellent presentational and training skills
- An ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing
- Understanding of commissioning processes and skilled at preparing bids
- Good contract and budget management skills
- Understanding of, or ability to learn, issues involved in building Consortia or other similar structures
- Knowledge and some experience of fundraising in the charity business sector.
Personal Characteristics
Essential
- Flexible thinker with a concern to promote positive change and innovation in service delivery
- An ability to network and interact confidently in a virtual and face to face space.
- A people-centered approach
- Ability to work at pace, absorb pressure and keep to tight deadlines
- Commitment to Continuous Professional Development and Learning
Other
- Required to travel within, and outside of, Thames Valley on occasions
- Be able to deal with all information on a confidential basis
Thames Valley Partnership is an equal opportunities employer; the aim of our policy is to ensure no job applicant, employee or worker is discriminated against either directly or indirectly on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religious belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, age or disability. We do not disbar applicants with criminal convictions and are mindful of the requirements of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974
How to apply
For further information or to send your CV, please contact Amanda on the email address below.
For a full Job Description please visit the Thames Valley Partnership website https://thamesvalleypartnership.org.uk/ccc/vacancies/jobs
Email address: amanda@thamesvalleypartnership.org.uk
Phone number: 01844 202 001
Application deadline: 9th March 2022
Web link: https://thamesvalleypartnership.org.uk
Phone number: 01844202001
More about Thames Valley Partnership
Thames Valley Partnership was established to support people impacted upon by the Criminal Justice Sector. We look after victims of crime, offenders and their families.