We are looking for an experienced programme manager to oversee the Democracy Classroom network. The post holder will be responsible for managing relationships with stakeholders across the youth, education and democracy sectors and lead on a series of democratic and election education initiatives to engage young people.
ABOUT THE POLITICS PROJECT
We support young people to use their voice by providing them with outstanding democratic education. We work with young people, teachers and politicians to help them to learn, teach and engage in politics. We are a non-partisan organisation working across the UK.
ABOUT DEMOCRACY CLASSROOM
Democracy Classroom is a partnership between over 100 civil society organisations that supports young people to engage in elections and democracy. The network supports collaboration through newsletters, training, meet up’s and an annual conference, as well as providing resources and training for teachers and youth practitioners. Democracy Classroom pools the collective support of the sector through the Democracy Classroom platform, where teachers and youth workers can access the collective support of the membership.
Following the recent General Election, the network has experienced growth and is now preparing to support upcoming elections, votes at 16 and new developments such as changes to democratic education and the curriculum review. The network is non-partisan and works across all 4 nations in the UK.
The aims of the network include:
- Increasing the number of young people engaging with democracy and elections;
- Increasing the number of teachers and youth workers delivering democratic education, and strengthening their capacity to deliver impactful democratic engagement and voter registration activities in schools, colleges and youth settings across the UK;
- Improving coordination between organisations engaging young people across the youth, education and democracy sectors, through growing the Democracy Classroom network.
ABOUT THE ROLE
To achieve the above, the post holder will:
- Support, build and manage relationships with over 100 civil society partner organisations;
- Manage the day-to-day running of the network, including the network's communications and databases;
- Coordinate the sharing of learning materials, working with teachers and youth workers to organise, map and curate content that supports democratic and election education;
- Oversee the Democracy Classroom website / platform;
- Train and support teachers and youth workers to deliver democratic education materials;
- Oversee our #ElectionCountdown programme during UK local, devolved and national elections and the associated comms campaigns;
- Line manage the Democracy Classroom programme coordinator and manage relationships with freelance teachers, youth workers and designers;
- Oversee evaluation and monitoring, producing reports where required.
The job is a fixed term 12-month contract (including a 6-month probation period), with possible extension depending on the electoral calendar.
The Politics Project is based in London, and the post holder will be expected to work from the office at least two days a week. The hours of work are 37.5 hrs per week. Occasional travel to elsewhere in the UK and working unsocial hours in evenings and at weekends may be required. This is a fast-paced role in a small but growing team.
Benefits:
- 33 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays (inclusive for 3 days leave between Christmas and New Year;
- Friendly and inclusive environment;
- Professional development opportunities, to upskill and train you;
- The opportunity to make a real difference to young people’s lives, helping them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to give them a voice in their society and shape their communities;
- 5% company pension contribution.
ABOUT YOU
You will have a passion for democratic engagement and will use that passion to support the delivery and growth of the Democracy Classroom network and The Politics Project.
You will be a self-starter, comfortable managing fast-paced projects with multiple stakeholders. You will have outstanding project management and administrative skills, with the ability to work under pressure and identify priorities. You will effectively deliver against set targets to agreed deadlines.
Above all, you can form good relationships with a range of people from different backgrounds and perspectives. You can network, negotiate, persuade, problem solve and be flexible to meet stakeholder needs. You can identify and pursue opportunities, and are excited by the challenge to oversee a high profile, national project.
In accordance with our Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures, this position requires an enhanced DBS check that we will provide.
Skills & Experience:
Essential
- Programme/project management experience;
- Good at building and managing relationships;
- Experience managing multiple stakeholder relationships;
- Able to communicate effectively;
- Strong ability to manage multiple priorities;
- Self-motivated and resilient – able to solve problems and perform under pressure;
- Confidence in working with, and a good understanding of, the education/youth sector (not necessary to have personal teaching or youth work experience, but be comfortable working in those sectors);
- Knowledge of, and an interest in, UK politics;
- Understanding of the UK education system;
- IT literate. In particular, you can use Google office software;
- A passion for youth democratic engagement, education and politics.
Desired
- Experience of database management;
- Ability to conduct monitoring and evaluation of work and produce written reports.