We are looking for individuals who are dedicated to issues of poverty and injustice to join the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Poverty Truth Commission team.
Poverty Truth Commissions ask the question: What if the people who have directly faced poverty were involved in decisions about poverty?A PTC runs over the course of 18 months gathering a group of experts through experience – ‘Community Commissioners’ and civic and business leadersas ‘Civic Commissioners’.
The PTC is about developing relationships of trust and empathy between commissioners, and seeing what happens when their combined wisdom, resources and experience are brought together – making tangible change in our communities.
Are you based in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and keen to be a part of making a Poverty Truth Commission happen in our community?
We are looking for:
- A friendly and enabling Project Coordinator who can take the lead on the logistics required for the Commission, recruiting and supporting commissioners through this process.
- Experienced co-facilitators to design and host commission meetings in a way that champions equality, open dialogue and co-production between all commissioners.
- A reliable and skilled administrator to support the facilitation team, and help to document the journey – this role may be separate, or incorporated into one of the other roles
These role descriptors are our way of piecing together the skills and positions that we need to get this project off the ground. The makeup of the team and its roles are flexible and what we want to know is – how can you contribute to this team?
To express interest in joining the team, take a look at the job descriptions and send your CV and a covering letter – sharing evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and knowledge required for the role you feel you could take – to julie@couragetothrive.org.uk by 6th October.
We will hold interviews with those who have expressed interest during the week commencing 25th October.
If you have any questions and would like to talk this through, then please do get in touch.
We look forward to hearing from you!
All the best,
The Poverty Truth Commission Start Up Team.
What is Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Poverty Truth Commission?
WHAT: Since 2009, Poverty Truth Commissions (PTCs) have started up across the UK in answer to the question: What if the people who have directly faced poverty were involved in decisions about poverty? They seek person-centred, locally relevant solutions to stubbornly persistent problems, and unlock deep culture change. In the communities where they have developed, they have been transformative.
WHY: We believe the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation would potentially benefit hugely from a PTC. The pandemic has served to further highlight the massive inequalities which exist within the connurbation – we have communities in the top 2% most deprived areas in the UK as well as those in the top 1% least deprived. Some implications:
- Male life expectancy in one part of the conurbation is 85 compared to just 72 in another – a staggering difference of 13 years.
- Our school attainment stats vary from ‘well above the national average’ in wealthier areas of the conurbation to ‘well below national average’ in schools in our poorer communities.
- Local food bank usage was increasing by about 30% each year before COVID, with demand in 2020 up 46% on the same period last year and rising.
The status quo is no longer good enough. History shows that no lasting social change happens without the people who suffer under the status quo taking a lead in bringing about a change to it. That’s what a local PTC would seek to do.
HOW: A PTC runs over the course of approximately 18 months. We gather a group of experts through experience – ‘Community Commissioners’ – people with lived experience of poverty in its many forms. Together, this group of commissioners spend time sharing their stories and experiences with each other, and consider who in the conurbation might have influence to bring about change. Civic and business leaders are then invited to join the Commission as ‘Civic Commissioners’.
The PTC is about developing relationships of trust and empathy between commissioners, and seeing what happens when their combined wisdom, resources and experience are brought together. The tried and tested model is adapted to best fit the local context, seeking to enable a deeper dive into the challenges and the opportunity to unearth and commit to new future possibilities for wiser action and culture change.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole PTC will be an attempt to give a face to the facts of poverty and create change with the maxim that ‘Nothing about us, without us, is for us’. For an example of a PTC set up in another area of the UK watch this 3 min video from East Surrey.
WHAT NEXT: We are laying the foundations for a Poverty Truth Commission in our area; building the team, fundraising, recruiting and developing our process. Get in touch to find out more.
JOB DESCRIPTION: Project Coordinator
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Poverty Truth Commission
Job title: Project Coordinator
Salary: £29,250 pro rata
Hours: Up to 3 days per week
Duration: 24 months: November 2021 – October 2023
Reports to: The PTC Steering Group
JOB OVERVIEW
We are seeking to recruit a Project Coordinator, to lead and deliver a Poverty Truth Commission locally. The key responsibilities for the Project Coordinator are managing the logistics of the Poverty Truth Commission and supporting Community Commissioners and Civic & Business Commissioners through the PTC process.
The job will involve communication with all commissioners about dates, meetings, activities etc, giving support needed to enable their engagement, and to arrange the logistics of Commission gatherings.
A key principle of a Poverty Truth Commission is that the people with lived experience of poverty and their stories are at the heart of the matter. They come to take the lead in the process, so they must be well listened to, respected and valued. Thus, although the role is about co-ordination, facilitation, support and skills development, these functions must be delivered in a relational way which prioritises the leadership of those who are more often marginalised or voiceless.
We therefore welcome applicants who share our working values,and we also warmly welcome applications from those who would identify as having lived experience of poverty.
The post is advertised for up to three days a week, dependant upon the skills offered by the successful applicant, but would suit someone whose other commitments allowed them to be flexible about when they worked, as there may be varying periods of demand across the year.
These roles are offered on a part-time basis employed by Courage to Thrive. However, if you are used to working freelance, please do contact us to discuss this.
ABOUT COURAGE TO THRIVE
Courage to Thrive is a community interest company which exists to help unlock thriving with individuals, teams and communities in the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole conurbation. We exist to draw out the best in people both in the workplace and in our communities, igniting agency and resourcefulness. We do this through the use of facilitation, coaching, workshops and other tools, in the context of relationship and community.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole PTC is being developed by Courage to Thrive as part of its commitment to challenge systemic inequality and work with communities to make meaningful change
HOURS OF WORK & RATE OF PAY
We aim to build the facilitation team with responsiveness and flexibility according to the skills and availability of the candidates. Pay will be £29,250 pro rata for up to 3 days per week (there are 6 days of work per week available across the team). The project will run from November 2021 to October 2023. An initial contract of 6 months will be reviewed and expected to be extended as funding is received from our grant making bodies. After 6 months, roles and responsibilities may also be reviewed and redistributed according to the team’s skills and attributes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE
- Supporting Community Commissioners to engage with and attend Poverty Truth Commission meetings and activities including:
- Helping to meet, interview and recruit potential Community Commissioners.
- Communicating with Community Commissioners to ensure attendance and engagement in Commission meetings and activities through phone, email, text etc.
- Giving specific support to Community Commissioners where needed to help them to remain on-board with the Poverty Truth programme.
- Facilitation and support of task groups
- Occasional travel to other commissions and activities to support Community Commissioner engagement.
- Communication and liaison with all commissioners including:
- Arranging dates with Civic and Business Commissioners and their diary staff.
- Ensuring meetings are prioritised by Civic and Business Commissioners.
- Supporting Civic and Business Commissioners in engaging with the process
- Supporting Community Commissioners in attending external events.
- Logistics and planning including:
- Arranging venues for meetings and/or setting up online meetings (e.g. on Zoom)
- Arranging catering and refreshments for meetings
- Setting up and ensuring a comfortable space for meetings
- Planning and supporting logistical arrangements for public events.
- Ensuring all travel expenses of community commissioners are reimbursed.
- Processing invoices and keeping financial records
- Other support:
- Attending and taking part in planning meetings.
- Technical support to help Community Commissioners learn and engage with Zoom (or other video conferencing software) if meetings are to take place online
- Other occasional activities to support the smooth running and development of the commission.
- Liaise with facilitators from other Poverty Truth Commissions.
DESIRED EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS
You should provide evidence in your covering letter of how you meet the required experience, qualifications and skills below:
| Experience |
| Experience in working with community organisations in a development context. |
| Experience in co-productive projects and community led initiatives |
| Experience in running or managing events |
| Experience in using online communication tools such as Mailchimp and social media |
| Experience and confidence in working with Word/Excel |
| Experience of working independently and as part of a team. |
| Any personal lived experience of poverty |
| Education and Qualifications |
Qualification in related area (community development, project management, similar) desired but not essential. Experience is more important than qualifications. |
| Skills, Attitudes and Values |
| Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, particularly active listening skills |
| Commitment to working with and alongside people living with poverty |
| Understanding of and commitment to co-productive community led working |
| Ability to build positive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds |
| Understanding of and commitment to a person-centred approach. |
| Passion for the aims and values of the Poverty Truth Commission |
| Understanding how to deal with confidential information |
| Ability to work collaboratively with commissioners and colleagues |
| Self-motivated and competent at organising own work without extensive supervision |
JOB DESCRIPTION: Co-Facilitator x 2
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Poverty Truth Commission
Job title: Co-Facilitator x 2
Salary: £29,250 pro rata
Hours: Up to 8 days per month per person
Duration: 24 months: November 2021 – October 2023
Reports to: The PTC Steering Group
JOB OVERVIEW
We are seeking to recruit two co-facilitators, who will work together to facilitate the BCP Poverty Truth Commission gatherings and meetings. Together with the BCP PTC Project Coordinator, the co-facilitators will be part of the core facilitation team, with key responsibilities in co-designing and facilitating commission gatherings and meetings, and documenting the process.
A key principle of a Poverty Truth Commission is that the people with lived experience of poverty and their stories are at the heart of the matter. They come to take the lead in the process, so they must be well listened to, respected and valued. Thus, although the role is about co-ordination, facilitation, support and skills development, these functions must be delivered in a relational way which prioritises the leadership of those who are more often marginalised or voiceless.
We therefore welcome applicants who share our working values, and we also warmly welcome applications from those who would identify as having lived experience of poverty.
The post is advertised for up to two days a week but would suit someone whose other commitments allowed them to be flexible about when they worked, as there may be varying periods of demand across the year.
These roles are offered as a part-time basis employed by Courage to Thrive. However, if you are used to working freelance, please do contact us to discuss this.
We are inspired by the concept of Teal practices (Laloux, 2014) – familiarity with this concept will explain our flexible approaches.
ABOUT COURAGE TO THRIVE
Courage to Thrive is a community interest company which exists to help unlock thriving with individuals, teams and communities in the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) conurbation. We exist to draw out the best in people both in the workplace and in our communities, igniting agency and resourcefulness. We do this through the use of facilitation, coaching, workshops and other tools, in the context of relationship and community.
BCP PTC is being developed by Courage to Thrive as part of its commitment to challenge systemic inequality and work with communities to make meaningful change
HOURS OF WORK & RATE OF PAY
We aim to build the facilitation team with responsiveness and flexibility according to the skills and availability of the candidates. Pay will be £29,250 pro rata for up to 2 days per week (6 days in total across the team are available). The project will run from November 2021 to October 2023. An initial contract of 6 months will be extended as funding is received from our grant making bodies. After 6 months, roles may also be reviewed and redistributed according to the team’s skills and attributes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE
- Meeting and assisting with recruiting up to 20 Civic & Business Commissioners
- Plan and deliver in the region of six initial preparatory meetings for prospective Community Commissioners.
- Ensuring that the tone and process of the Commission is one of open dialogue and co-production between all Commissioners.
- Planning, preparation and facilitation of full Commission meetings and any task groups as appropriate.
- Planning and hosting Commission launch and closing events (in collaboration with Commissioners, the Project Co ordinator, and wider stakeholders).
- Capturing and documenting Commission process and social impact in writing and through other media (e.g. photography, video) as appropriate.
- Sharing learning with other Poverty Truth Commissions and supporting the broader PTC project.
- Providing information/reports on their work as needed for reporting to donors.
- Attending regular (usually monthly) project management meetings with the PTC Steering Group and Courage to Thrive Directors.
DESIRED EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
You should provide evidence in your covering letter of how you meet the required experience, qualifications and skills below:
| Experience |
| Experience of campaigning and researching |
| Experience of working alongside people experiencing poverty. |
| Experience of working with community organisations in a development context. |
| Experience of facilitating a variety of groups |
| Experience of developing successful partnerships with different organisations and agencies |
| Experience of working with co-productive/collaborative approaches |
| Experience of working independently and as part of a team. |
| Any lived experience of poverty |
| Education and Qualifications |
| Relevant training in facilitation, such as Art of Hosting, would be a bonus. However, experience is more important than qualifications. |
| Attitudes and Values |
| Commitment to working with and alongside people living with poverty |
| Understanding of and commitment to co-productive working |
| Ability to build positive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds |
| Understanding of and commitment to a person-centered approach. |
| Passion for the aims and values of the Poverty Truth Commission |
| Understanding how to deal with confidential information |
| Skills and Knowledge |
| Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, particularly in active listening skills |
| Ability to plan workload, use initiative and deal with changing deadlines |
| Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and be an effective team member |
| Self-motivated and competent at organising own work without extensive supervision |
| Competent to disseminate research findings and complex information |
| Strong facilitation and community development skills |
| Understanding the causes and effects of poverty within our very poorest communities |
| An ability to acknowledge and value lived experience of poverty |
| Ability to work collaboratively with those with lived experience of poverty |
| Knowledge of creative and expressive arts story telling techniques |