Life Skills and Community Engagement Officer
Salary: £30,000 Full Time Equivalent – actual £24,000 for 30 hours
Hours: 30 hours per week, hours to be agreed
Location: Colchester Office
Fixed Term until 31/8/27
The role is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and Safer Recruitment checks.
To Apply: Applicants MUST submit a covering letter outlining their suitability and interest in the role along with a CV
About YES
YES is a charity which supports young people between the ages of 11 and 25 in the Colchester & Tendring areas since 1988. YES offers information, advice and support on housing and homelessness prevention, young people’s pregnancy and parenting support, counselling, and life skills development. The charity headquarters are in Trinity Street, Colchester with another centre in Holland-on Sea,
The successful candidate must be well organised, proactive and willing turn their hand to a wide range of jobs on a daily basis. Importantly they will be a great team player with excellent communication skills able to build positive relationships with colleagues and customers.
Role Overview
We are pleased to have secured funding for an exciting project that supports young people aged 11–25 to build life skills, confidence and stronger peer relationships. The project is already underway and has established strong foundations through listening to young people, community engagement and the development of an initial programme of activities. We are now looking for an experienced and motivated individual to take the project forward, ensuring it is successfully delivered, embedded and evaluated.
This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys turning ideas into action. We are looking for a practical, solutions-focused person who can build on an existing project while bringing fresh energy, creativity and leadership to the next stage of the project. They will be confident managing multiple priorities, making things happen and overcoming
challenges, while always keeping young people's needs and voices at the centre of their work.
The successful candidate will lead the continued development and delivery of the project, working closely with young people, volunteers, partners and colleagues. They will recruit, support and line manage volunteers, creating a positive, inclusive and safe environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued. They will also take responsibility for monitoring progress, demonstrating impact and ensuring project objectives are achieved.
YES is a small, but busy charity and every member of the team contribute to the wider running and development. Alongside project delivery, the successful candidate will play an active role in promoting our services, developing partnerships, supporting marketing and communications activity, and contributing to future funding opportunities. This role is ideally suited to someone who is proactive, adaptable and passionate about improving outcomes for young people.
Key Responsibilities
1. Successfully deliver Life Skills Development Project, building on existing plans and ensuring activities are delivered successfully through to August 2027.
2. Engage with young people through conversations, small groups, activities and surveys to understand their ideas, interests and priorities and ensure their voices continue to shape the project.
3. Plan and deliver group activities, workshops and sessions that help young people develop life skills, confidence and positive peer relationships.
4. Monitor project progress and impact, gathering feedback, recording outcomes and completing monitoring and evaluation reports for funders.
5. Recruit, onboard, support and supervise volunteers to support the wider work of YES, helping them to be effective, and confident in their roles.
6. Develop and maintain links with schools, community organisations and local partners that support participation, volunteering opportunities and project delivery.
7. Promote the project and the wider work of YES, including community engagement, events, social media and marketing activities.
8. Contribute to the development of future services and funding opportunities, sharing ideas, identifying needs, researching and supporting funding applications where appropriate.
9. Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role, as requested by the CEO.
Person Specification
Essential
1. Experience of working with young people, with the ability to build positive relationships and engage confidently with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds.
2. Experience of planning and delivering workshops, activities, training sessions or group work, enabling young people to develop skills, confidence and positive relationships.
3. A proactive and self-motivated approach, with the ability to work independently, take initiative and turn ideas into action.
4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage young people, volunteers, partners and colleagues in a positive and professional manner.
5. Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, maintain accurate records and follow tasks through to completion.
6. Great IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications. Experience of using CRM or database systems would be an advantage.
7. An understanding of safeguarding principles and a commitment to maintaining safe working practices and professional boundaries.
8. A flexible and collaborative approach, with a willingness to contribute to the wider work and development of YES.
Desirable
1. Experience in a teaching, training, youth work, community education or similar role.
2. Experience of recruiting, supporting or managing volunteers.
3. Experience of monitoring and evaluating projects, collecting feedback and reporting on outcomes.
4. Experience of developing relationships with schools, community organisations or local partners.
5. Knowledge of local services, resources and opportunities available to young people in North East Essex.
6. Relevant qualification in youth work, teaching, education, training, community development or a related field.
7. A full clean driving license and access to a car.
Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Pay: £30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
