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Job Title: COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAGEMENT WORKER

Responsible to: Chief Executive

Hours: 28 hours per week.

Based: Headway ArtSpace, Blyth, Northumberland

Salary: £18,200 per annum pro rata

Term: Fixed 26 week contract

Holidays: 28 days per annum pro rata

Headway Arts

Unique in the Northern region, Headway Arts specialise in highly inclusive participatory arts projects which offer world class opportunities for people to contribute to the cultural life of their communities. Headway Arts work across art forms to motivate, build confidence and creativity and offer a means of expression to those who otherwise would not have the opportunity.

Background

Headway Arts are based in Croft ward, one of the most disadvantaged wards in the country. Many local people have low levels of confidence, poor literacy skills and few opportunities for participating in their community. In this context, we know through experience that if local people are to engage with Headway ArtSpace or the arts in general we have to work with them to create a safe environment and build a sense of ownership, familiarity and trust.

Two recent surveys (SE Northumberland Arts Study and an arts building feasibility study by ArtReach Consultants) identified the key barriers to participation were a lack of arts facilities and limited choice of activities relevant to peoples interests, distance to travel to access the arts and lack of financial resources. Through our own experience we are also aware that there is a mistrust of the arts through lack of awareness of what the arts actually are or can be. In response to these problems we seek to employ a Communications & Engagement Worker to promote and disseminate the work and activities of Headway Arts, to work with the local community, looking at new and experimental methods of engagement, identifying common interests, and building the relationships which will encourage potential users of Headway ArtSpace.

Role of Communications & Engagement Worker

This post offers a unique and exciting opportunity for a highly effective self-motivated practitioner to work as part of a committed and enthusiastic team, develop new ways to help the community participate more fully in the arts, specifically encouraging people of all ages and abilities to become users of Headway Arts.

Working from Headway ArtSpace the Communications & Engagement Worker will be responsible for promoting the work and activities of Headway Arts, visiting both established groups and places where communities gather, to develop relationships which will help break down the identified and perceived barriers, marketing and publicity of activities on offer, meetings and presentations to key stakeholders. The focus will be on building relationships that will overcome the barriers to participation.

Specific Duties & Key Responsibilities

To work closely with the Senior Management Team to develop and implement a programme which will engage those members of the community who do not currently access the arts.
To work closely with the senior Management team in developing an effective marketing strategy which will promote the activities of Headway Arts.
To work flexibly (and experimentally) developing relationships with potential participants and organisations; visiting established groups and places where people gather and developing relationships that will overcome the barriers to participation.
Promote workshops & events through a variety of means, including online.
Build links with local organisations to promote a wider range of opportunities to the local community.
Report regularly to the Senior Management Team.
Keep Creative Director/CEO aware of initiatives which could enrich the wider work of Headway Arts.
To continually record, document and evaluate the work being done throughout, using the evaluation to develop ideas within the project.
Provide a contact point for all project enquiries & ensure prompt responses are made.
Work alongside the Creative Director and administration team to generate publicity and marketing both to engage potential participants and raise awareness of the project.
Maintain effective social media promotions.
Utilise opportunities to extend the work of Headway Arts.
Attend regular staff team meetings.
Represent Headway Arts at relevant networks events and other events linked to the role.
Identify & develop any additional necessary resources.

Other duties:

Contribute proactively to the wider work of Headway Arts as a supportive team member.
Adopt Headway Arts’ CoCreative methodology.
Observe Health and Safety regulations at all times and ensure adequate supervision is maintained for the Health and Safety of all participants.
Observe Headway Arts’ Equality & Diversity Policy and Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults policy.
Undertake training as necessary and deemed relevant to the project.
Undertake regular Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks as required by the project. Recruitment will be subject to successful DBS Enhanced clearance.

Equal Opportunities

Headway Arts seeks to ensure that no present or potential member of staff or project participant is treated less favourably than another on grounds of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, political persuasion, marital status or sexual orientation. Headway Arts is in the process of developing a new fully accessible space which will offer greater opportunities to the local and regional community. Our aim is to ensure that all our work is fully accessible so if you have particular needs please contact us.

Enhanced DBS Disclosure

Because the person appointed to this post has access to vulnerable people we follow strict procedures in checking our staff. The successful applicant will have to complete an Enhanced DBS check. Having a criminal background does not automatically discount you from being appointed, but you are obliged to disclose all convictions including those considered spent. Failure to disclose convictions is considered gross misconduct and will make a person liable for dismissal. If you want to discuss your eligibility for employment please telephone the Chief Executive, Frances Castle, for a confidential discussion.

Travel and Subsistence Policy

Headway Arts does not maintain a subsistence policy but reimburse for any out-of-pocket/travel expenses incurred during the course of the work on submission of a claim form accompanied by appropriate receipts. This does not include travel between home and Headway Arts.

Person Specification

This describes the knowledge & experience necessary for the post.

Essential

An interest in contemporary arts practice.
Up to date knowledge of current social media and networking platforms.
Excellent communication skills including ability to communicate with people of diverse backgrounds & communities.
A willingness to take on and work with the ideas of others.
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a busy team.
Demonstrable ability to motivate others.
Demonstrable ability to work on own initiative and to organise and prioritise workload.
Energy and enthusiasm for people.
Ability to recognise the different ways to work with different groups.
A flexible approach to working with individuals all with differing needs.
A positive attitude and an ability to find creative and flexible solutions.
Confidence to communicate with a wide variety of people.
Willingness to undertake training, for example disability awareness and equality training and Headway Arts methodologies.
Willingness to work evenings & weekends if required.
Ability to work confidently with computers.

Desirable

A commitment to one’s own professional development.
An understanding of the importance of evaluation.
A keen eye for detail & commitment to excellence.
A full clean driving licence.

How to Apply:

Please send applications electronically to: admin@headwayarts.co.uk

Write in the email subject line: Communications & Engagement Worker Application

Or by post to: Headway Arts, Headway ArtSpace, The Old Church, Waterloo Road, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 1BY

Apply in writing (no more than 2 x A4 sides) telling us about your skills & why you would like the job.
Include an up to date CV
Include 2 References. We will not take up your references unless you are successful.

Deadline: All applications must be received by ~~7th September 2018~~ 14th September 2018 [deadline extended]. Late applications will not be considered.

Shortlist: Successful shortlisted candidates will be notified by ~~14th September 2018~~ 21st September 2018 with interviews on 27th September 2018. Interviews will take place at Headway ArtSpace, Blyth.

Posted on August 15th 2018