We are looking to recruit a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our team as Youth and Group Activities Co-ordinator.  This is a new and exciting role that will make a positive difference to local children by delivering safe, inclusive and engaging youth and group activities that build confidence, develop social skills and reduce social isolation.

The Youth and Group Activities Co-ordinator will be responsible for planning, delivering and developing a programme of group-based activities for children, young people and volunteers involved in Befriend a Child’s services.

The role will include co-ordinating Befriend a Child’s evening term-time youth clubs in priority areas of Aberdeen, organising monthly group activities for children and volunteers involved in befriending and mentoring programmes, supporting volunteer engagement events and overseeing the effective use of communal spaces for volunteers and children within Befriend a Child.

The role aims to provide safe, inclusive and engaging opportunities for children and young people to build confidence, develop social skills and reduce social isolation through positive group experiences.

If you are inspired by our cause, can demonstrate success achieved in a similar role, and are passionate about working with children and young people, we would love to hear from you.  This is an exciting time to join the charity as we grow and develop our programmes for local children, young people and families.

This is a part-time position, working 21 hours a week.  The role is based in our office at 9 Bon Accord Square Aberdeen, with the option of some hybrid working, and will lead our Youth Clubs in Northfield, Cummings Park and Kincorth three evenings a week.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Youth Clubs
• Work towards agreed targets and outcomes for Youth Clubs across priority areas in Aberdeen
• Lead on the planning, coordination, delivery and evaluation of Befriend a Child’s Youth Clubs, ensuring sessions are safe, engaging and responsive to the needs of young people
• Design and deliver a varied programme of activities in collaboration with young people, including games, physical activities, baking and arts and crafts ensuring sessions are inclusive, enjoyable and engaging
• Recruit, support and co-ordinate youth club volunteers, providing guidance to ensure activities are delivered safely and effectively
• Develop and maintain partnerships with local schools to promote youth club opportunities and secure appropriate referrals for children and young people who would benefit from participation
• Monitor attendance and engagement, collecting and collating participation data, statistics and impact information to support project evaluations and funding reports
• Build and maintain positive relationships with parents and carers of children attending youth clubs, ensuring clear and supportive communication
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries while modelling positive behaviour and acting as a positive role model for young people
• Ensure safeguarding and wellbeing of all young people attending sessions, following organisational safeguarding policies and procedures
• Ensure required documentation and administrative processes are completed accurately and on time, including registrations, risk assessments, progress reviews, evaluations and incident reports
• Manage expenditure for youth clubs in line with the budgets set

Group Activity Sessions
• Plan and coordinate a programme of monthly group activity sessions for volunteer befrienders / mentors and children at Befriend a Child HQ and in the local community
• Organise engaging and inclusive activities such as creative sessions, baking and physical activities
• Work with volunteers to ensure the safe and effective delivery of monthly group activity sessions
• Collaborate with partner organisations for group activity session in the local community
• Monitor attendance and engagement, collecting and collating participation data, statistics and impact information to support project evaluations and funding reports

Seasonal Outings and Parties
•Plan and coordinate a programme of four seasonal outings and parties for children and their volunteers to attend, including events such as Easter Extravaganza, Summer Picnic, Halloween Spooktacular and Christmas Party
•Deliver these events, ensuring appropriate planning and that risk assessments have been completed
•Monitor attendance and engagement, collecting and collating participation data, statistics and impact information to support project evaluations and funding reports

Operational Support and Volunteer Engagement
•Ensure communal spaces such as the kitchen, playzone, media room are organised, safe and appropriately stocked in liaison with Senior Business Support Co-ordinator
•Be the main point of contact for group activities, including third party events volunteers and children are invited to in the community
•Organise volunteer engagement events as required, including volunteer get together during Volunteers Week

Promotion and Wider Organisational Support
•Act as an ambassador for Befriend a Child, promoting the organisation and its services in a professional and positive manner
•Provide the Marketing and Communications team with stories, case studies and quotes for promotional use (with appropriate permissions)
•Contribute ideas and content for the volunteer newsletter
•Represent the charity at volunteer recruitment events as required
•Carry out any other duties appropriate to the role

This job description outlines the main duties and responsibilities of the post. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties in line with the needs of the organisation.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Experience
•Experience of working with children and young people
•Experience of planning, organising and delivering activities, programmes or events
•Experience of supporting or working alongside volunteers
•Experience building positive relationships with children, families and professionals such as teachers or community partners
•Experience of maintaining accurate records
•Experience of working within the voluntary sector (desirable)
•Experience co-ordinating youth clubs, group activities or community programmes (desirable)

Skills and Knowledge
•Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands
•Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with children, young people, volunteers and families
•Ability to plan and deliver engaging, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate activities
•Understanding of safeguarding and child protection principles
•Understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable children and young people
•Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a team
•Good administrative and record keeping skills
•Confident IT skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel
•Full driving licence and access to a car (desirable)

Personal Attributes
•Passion for supporting children and young people to reach their potential
•Friendly, approachable, and empathetic with a genuine interest in working with young people
•Creative and enthusiastic in developing activities and programmes
•Positive and proactive attitude with a willingness to contribute ideas
•Reliable, responsible and able to maintain professional boundaries
•Flexible and willing to work evenings and occasional weekends

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please forward a copy of your CV along with a covering letter giving an overview of your skills and experience and how you meet the personal specification. Please also include the name and contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current employer.

Please send application information to Susanne McMenemy, Head of Operations at susanne@befriendachild.org.uk by Sunday 5th April at 11.59pm.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 9th April.

Please let us know if you need any special arrangements for interview.

For further information please contact Susanne McMenemy at susanne@befriendachild.org.uk or tel: 01224 210060.

About Befriend a Child

At Befriend a Child we believe every child deserves a happy childhood and is given the best chance in life to succeed and thrive. We support children and young people growing up in challenging circumstances across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire through our befriending, mentoring and youth work programmes find out more at www.befriendachild.org.uk