NCS Contract Director, North East of England

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1 NCS Contract Director, North East of England

2 vinspired and National Youth Agency NCS Partnership NCS Contract Director Candidate Pack March 2015 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Accountable to: Directors of vinspired Education (ve) and National Youth Agency Education (NYAE) Reports to: vinspired Director of Commercial Services Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Salary: up to 55k National Citizen Service (NCS) is a life changing experience for 16 and 17 year olds in England. It brings together teams of young people to tackle outdoor challenges on a residential week away from home, work with local businesses and social leaders to learn new skills and discover more about their area, and to develop and deliver community based volunteering projects that matter to them. Working together, the national youth volunteering charity vinspired and youth work expert National Youth Agency (NYA), are delivering NCS across the North East region. Working in partnership with their networks of local delivery partners both organisations have a proven track record in delivering social action and high quality personal development programmes for young people. We are seeking to recruit a strategic, commercially astute Contract Director to lead and ensure the successful delivery of our NCS programme across the North East. The successful candidate will bring experience of leading funded programmes (including payment by results contracts), managing supply chains, partnership working and influencing senior stakeholders across the youth and education sectors. They will be an experienced senior manager, skilled in leading and motivating a dispersed team to achieve ambitious targets and to ensure the delivery of a quality programme experience for young people. They will ideally bring a relevant track record and network in the North East of England. For more details about the role and details of how to apply, please visit the website of our recruitment partners Society. For a further conversation, please contact Ruth Davidson or Tanya Stevens on / The closing date for this role is midday on Tuesday 31 st March 2015.

3 VINSPIRED vinspired is a national youth volunteering charity which supports young people to develop their skills whilst taking part in social action. The organisation believes passionately that young people can change the world, and provides them with opportunities to do great things they care about through volunteering and social action. vinspired has created more than one million volunteering opportunities and so far, over 150,000 young people have used its services to volunteer with more than 3,600 charities. The organisation gives young people a platform to learn new skills, meet new people and further their careers - all at the same time as doing some good in the world. NYA NYA is the national expert on youth policy and youth work, with a particular focus on local government. The organisation believes that now more than ever young people need youth workers. Youth workers dedicate their time and expertise to helping young people in their personal and social development, equipping them with the practical skills they need to be resilient in challenging times, and positive contributors to future economic growth. NYA supports youth workers to enable young people to improve their own lives and create a better future for themselves and others. The organisation provides a mix of advocacy, practical support and training to the youth work profession and delivers a diverse range of programmes in support of young people. NATIONAL CITIZEN SERVICE (NCS) National Citizen Service (NCS) is a national personal and social development programme for young people aged NCS is available to Year 11 and Year 12 students from all schools and colleges in England. It is a voluntary programme that promotes: a more cohesive society by mixing participants of different backgrounds; a more responsible society by supporting the transition into adulthood for young people; a more engaged society by enabling young people to work together to create social action projects in their local communities. NCS takes place over several weeks, out of school time, during school holidays (spring, summer and autumn) and on selected weekends. It brings together teams of 15 young people from different backgrounds to tackle outdoor challenges on a residential week away from home, work with local businesses and social leaders to learn new skills and discover more about their area, and to develop and deliver community based volunteering projects that matter to them. NCS is designed to build confidence and prepare young people for their journey into adulthood by promoting: A more cohesive society by mixing participants from very different backgrounds; A more responsible society by supporting the transition into adulthood and the development of essential skills for employment (teamwork, leadership, communication); A more engaged society by enabling young people to work together to create social action projects in their local communities.

4 To achieve these objectives, NCS promotes: Social mixing improving attitudes towards others from different backgrounds, strengthening and broadening social and support networks, and increasing levels of social trust; Community involvement increasing willingness to engage and help out, acknowledge and develop an awareness of power and influence in local areas, and a sense of belonging and influence with the local community; Teamwork, communication and leadership increasing confidence in meeting new people, putting forward new ideas, trying new things, and working in leadership positions; Transition facilitating the transition to adulthood by improving wellbeing and reducing levels of anxiety, building resilience and empathy, improving attitudes towards work, education and training, and facilitating healthy lifestyle choices. VINSPIRED AND NATIONAL YOUTH AGENCY NCS PARTNERSHIP ve and NYAE have been awarded a multi-million pound contract to deliver NCS to over 21,000 young people across the North East of England from Autumn 2015 Summer vinspired and NYA have been involved in NCS since its inception and have led consortia to deliver NCS since For the past two years the organisations have worked together through the NCS Network alongside Catch22, Serco and UK Youth. vinspired and NYA have now exited this consortium and from will deliver the NCS in partnership across one region, the North East of England through ve and NYAE. This partnership combines vinspired and NYA s experience in both funding and leading consortia to deliver a range of major national youth programmes, and places the partnership in a unique position to scale up NCS. Both organisations are committed to engaging young people in social action and developing their skills, as well as working in partnership with local partners

5 Structure chart vinspired HR Finance PR and Marketing Digital Schools Corporate Relationships National Youth Agency Business Development Workforce Development Institute of Youth Work Participation (Hear by Right) Youth Involvement Corporate Relationships Partnership Board Administrator NCS Contract Director Finance Regional Recruitment Manager Steering Group Operations Manager Senior Recruitment Coordinator / Team Leader (2FTE) Finance / Project Management Officer Recruitment Coordinator (8FTE increasing to to 13.5FTE) Administrator (2FTE increasing to to 4FTE in in 2018) Subcontractors (delivery and specialist partners) Partnership Manager (2FTE increasing to to 5FTE in in 2018) Graduate Coordinator Youth Board Senior Conversion Team Leader Procurement Coordinator Conversion Coordinators (6FTE conversion staff increasing to to 14FTE in in 2018) Subcontractors (residential) Subcontractor (incident response) Compliance Manager Marketing Manager Data Manager (0.5FTE) Digital Coordinator (0.5FTE) Data Analyst Recruitment Hub 11th December

6 ROLE DESCRIPTION The NCS Contract Director will lead the Senior Leadership Team to deliver against our NCS contract in the North East and to lead and inspire our staff team and partners to ensure the highest possible quality programme experience for young people. The NCS Contract Director will manage our relationship with the NCS Trust (the client) and have overall responsibility for the regional office and staff team. You will be responsible for the contractual compliance and performance of our supply chain of local partners, contracted to deliver NCS to over 21,000 young people from Autumn 2015 Summer Specific Duties: Develop and lead the implementation of a three year regional NCS strategy to ensure the successful delivery of our contractual targets and performance indicators; Lead the Senior Leadership Team to ensure contracted key performance indicators are met or exceeded; Lead the Partnership Board (comprising Directors of vinspired Education and NYA Education and CEOs of nominated subcontractors) to provide strategic direction, accountability and ensure appropriate performance management and governance in place for the duration of the contract; Communicate contractual responsibilities and strategic objectives to the regional team and the Partnership Board; Develop and maintain an excellent relationship with the NCS Trust to ensure that their needs are being met and that their business is retained; Ensure that regular reviews are carried out with the NCS Trust to ensure that their needs are being met and that excellent customer service is achieved and the potential for future services explored; Ensure that contract requirements are effectively communicated and assigned to, and owned by, accountable team members; Ensure a commercial approach to the contract management which takes account of minimising unnecessary risk and maximising potential income; Create, communicate and maintain the contract risk register (operational, financial and reputational); Ensure that any interventions that may be required to manage risk and underperformance are taken at the earliest opportunity; Resolve operational or contractual issues with subcontractors with minimum disruption to contract delivery; Ensure contractual compliance and accountabilities are communicated, actioned and monitored and that auditors can readily access and review documentation; Develop and implement quality systems and standards within the region to ensure effective processes are in place for the real time monitoring of contract performance, including financial performance, health and safety and safeguarding, activity, and quality indicators including PbR measures; Lead and work with all key internal and external stakeholders to ensure engagement and delivery of the contract to agreed time, cost and quality criteria; Secure external speaking opportunities to raise the profile of NCS and its benefits across the region. Representing vinspired and NYA NCS Partnership externally to enhance and strengthen the profile and optimise all business development opportunities; Liaise with relevant internal teams to ensure that customer needs are met and that customer requirements are fully communicated throughout the business; Provide line management, support and supervision to the Operations Manager, Finance Manager and Recruitment Manager;

7 Observe and comply with organisational and NCS Trust policies and procedures (eg. Equal Opportunities & Diversity, Child Protection and Safeguarding, Health & Safety), and Standard Operating Procedures and legal requirements; Work closely with other vinspired and NYA departments, especially Marketing & Communications, Data and Public Affairs to ensure that external communications may be maximised; Act in a manner that is in keeping with the organisation s values; Contribute as required to the wider work of the Partnership; Undertake any other duties as required and commensurate with the level of this post. Youth led approach One of the factors which makes vinspired and NYA s approach different is our belief in the value of youth insights and input to guide our work. The post holder will be expected to understand youth involvement and be an advocate for youth involvement in NCS. Confidentiality The post holder will have access to confidential information and is expected to ensure that the highest level of confidentiality is maintained at all times. A flexible approach to work including willingness to take on tasks outside the normal remit, to work irregular hours and undertake significant travel. Overnight stays will be required. Weekend and evening work may be required.

8 PERSON SPECIFICATION The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate evidence of the following skills, capabilities and experience: Training / Qualifications Educated to degree level or equivalent; Professional qualification/development relevant to the scope of the role; Membership of professional bodies (desirable). Experience Proven experience of significant Contract Management at a senior level in either the corporate or not-forprofit sector; Experience of forming and leading operational management teams; Experience senior level management and the ability to provide effective leadership and manage a multidisciplinary team; Experience of financial and strategic planning and defining, setting and achieving contractual targets; Experienced in the preparation, monitoring and reporting of budgeting, income and financial management information; Experience of managing and implementing complex projects and/or Programmes; Experience of creating and managing supply chains to deliver success; Experience of operating across multiple sites; Understanding of risk management tools. Knowledge & Understanding A sound understanding of contract management, payment by results and commissioning within the voluntary sector; Practical understanding of diversity and experience of applying its principles in the workplace; Knowledge of safeguarding and understanding of appropriate boundaries when working with young people. Skills & Abilities Proven strategic aptitude and ability; Commercially astute and customer focused; Strong leadership skills with the ability to build strong external relationships to enhance and strengthen the Partnership s and NCS profile and reputation; Credible and confident communicator (written and verbal) at all levels - excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate with and present to a broad range of people internally and externally including non-financial specialists; first class presentation skills; Expert negotiating and influencing skills the ability to influence at a senior level, both internally and externally; excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills; Ability to prioritise, demonstrating first class organisational skills and time management skills; excellent attention to detail, with the ability to work accurately in a busy and demanding environment; Excellent project management skills; Numerate with strong analytical and problem solving ability; hands-on approach, with a can-do attitude; Tenacious and results driven with sound business judgement; passionate about achieving high levels of excellence; motivated with a high level of commitment;

9 Self-motivated, with the ability to work proactively using own initiative; committed to learning and development; Ability to work collaboratively with others to provide a high quality service; Excellent IT skills including MS Office packages and databases; A commitment to and understanding of issues relating to equality of opportunity and the ability to implement change in this area. APPOINTMENT DETAILS AND HOW TO APPLY vinspired and NYA are being assisted in this appointment process by the executive search firm Society. For more information, details of how to apply and to upload your application, please visit Society. Applications should consist of a CV, ideally accompanied by a brief covering letter (two A4 pages maximum) addressing the criteria in the Person Specification. The deadline for receipt of applications is midday on Tuesday 31st March Interviews will be held on Thursday 9 th April 2015 in Newcastle upon Tyne. An appointment will be made subject to receipt of satisfactory references.