Join Wen – Just Fact Programme Manager – Maternity Leave Cover
Who we need
We’re on the look out for a highly experienced project or campaigns manager to lead on an exciting partnership programme, called Just FACT (Just Food and Climate Transition), enabling community-led climate action in our local borough of Tower Hamlet.
Is this you?
- A passion for transforming food systems, with a commitment to social justice and a community-led approach.
- At least three years of professional experience in a project or campaign management role in the third sector, particularly in the environmental or community sectors.
- Experience in partnership working and the ability to build effective collaborative relationships with a diverse range of organisations, grassroots groups and individuals.
- A track record of successfully managing large project budgets.
- Experience in designing and undertaking complex monitoring and evaluation processes, writing reports and demonstrating impact at a high level.
What you’ll do
As Programme Manager you will oversee all elements of Just FACT; making sure we’re delivering on our programme aims and grant requirements, reporting effectively back to funders and looking for opportunities to maximise our impact. With the two Programme Mobilisers, you will support our inspiring network of approximately 20 programme partners. This includes supporting projects that are coming to an end in 2024, and also projects that will be just beginning – newly funded through the Just FACT grants programme.
A key focus of the work in the 14 months will be working with partners whose projects are drawing to a close – creating case studies and finding ways of sharing their impact and learnings with others, building a compelling case for change that is rooted in grassroots action. You will work the Just FACT research partner Platform London to find ways inspiring and galvanising wider change, including with local decision makers and through community-led campaigns.
For the full role description, please see here
What’s the role really like?
Elle McAll, Just FACT Programme Manager talks about the role and what it is like to work at Wen.
What’s a typical day like?
Every day is a bit different. It may start with a Wen team check in – where we talk about highlights from our last week and anything we need support with or can offer others.
Often at least an hour catching up on admin, messages and emails. There’s always some programme admin to do such as processing payments, responding to queries, updating the website. There’s often programme planning to do – scheduling meetings, workshops and events, and thinking about what needs to happen to move the work forwards. A typical day might involve various internal and external meetings, for example with the Programme Mobilisers, project partners or Lucy – our evaluation consultant.
Depending on the time of year there will be specific areas of focus. For example, at the moment I’m focused on the next round of Just FACT grants – overseeing each step of the process such as promotion, assessment and decision-making (chairing the community-led panel). Designing any relevant paperwork and processes is a big part of the job.
I’m currently working with Lucy and freelance art practitioner Mita, to plan the next partner meet up – which will include workshopping how to do creative reflection and evaluation in projects. We’re also working with Platform to support the launch of their latest publication with the Blueprint Architect group. As we come towards the end of the year, we’re refining our processes around reporting – where we gather impact and learnings from across the programme to share back with the Climate Action Fund.
What’s it like working at Wen
Wen is a very welcoming, supportive, informal and joyful place to work. It’s a place where it feels like you can bring your whole self to work. The team are passionate and caring – and look out for each other. I think a good example of our culture is our team meetings, which often have a lot of chat and laughter, and delicious home cooked food that we share together. I’ve also found Wen as open and reflective, with a commitment to working on challenges in a participatory way.
Have you got involved in other areas of Wen?
I’m involved in the Intersectional Feminist (IF) Working Group at Wen, which looks at how Wen is actively working towards being an anti-racist, inclusive, intersectional feminist organisation. With input from the wider team, we have developed an action plan that we’ve been steadily implementing over the last couple of years.
Just FACT is a large programme with lots of different partners. How do you plan your work?
We have a top-level programme calendar with key dates and milestones. This includes when different projects are starting and ending, key reporting points, and when the quarterly meetings take place. The team meets every quarter to plan the next 3 months in greater detail, identifying upcoming priorities. We then have weekly check-ins and one-on-ones.
Do you get a chance to visit any projects/partners?
It’s always preferable to have partner meetings in person. Different projects will host quarterly meetings, which is a great opportunity to visit different sites.
What are you most proud of?
The network of amazing people and projects that has grown around Just FACT. There’s now a WhatsApp group of over 50 people, and lots of new connections and friendships have formed over the last 3 years.
What’s your favourite part of your role?
Links to the above! Getting to know all the inspiring people working on food projects in Tower Hamlets.
What top tip would you give to the person who takes over your maternity cover?
Make the most of opportunities to work and meet in person rather than remotely. The programme is all about relationships, and being in person makes a huge difference.
Key benefits:
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- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pro rata.
- Pension scheme, contributing 6% of salary.
- Employee Assistance Programme including free counselling sessions that is also available to a spouse and dependents between 16-24.
- Flexible and hybrid working available.
- Access to training and development opportunities.
- Team away days
Salary: £38,085 FTE per annum, pro rata Contract: 14-month post for 28 hours (4 days) per week, Mid November 2023 – Mid January 2025 (includes handover period with current Programme Manager at the start and end)
Location: Based at Wen’s Shoreditch office with local travel. Options to work remotely for some of the time.
To apply: Full details can be found in the Job description and person specification. Please complete an application form and send to jobs@wen.org.uk as well as the equal opportunities form.
Application deadline: 9am, Monday 25th September 2023
Interviews: Week commencing Monday 2nd October.
Meet the project partners at Just FACT
More information on our Jobs page
