Community Animator Job Description
Context
The Boiler House charity wishes to carry out a minimum period of six months in-depth
community research & engagement with groups and individuals across the Cazenove ward and
surrounding Hackney area. The charity aims to build upon its established role as a successful
local community anchor organisation and provide a base for a part-time Community Animator.
This post will be a key part of a series of outreach projects and conversations designed to build
community interaction and strengthen feedback between networks and community groups in a
way that will generate greater benefits for local people.
This important work will lead to Boiler House playing a greater role as a go-to network for
grassroot engagement amongst other civil society community organisations and groups in
Cazenove & Hackney. The Community Animator will have a brief to listen to and document the
needs of people living locally, stimulate debate & discussion and action on issues of relevance
to the community.
The animator needs to be seen as non-partisan in this respect, with a broad remit to raise
awareness, stimulate thought and involve the local community in identifying issues of
importance to them.
The work will involve going to places where people gather, such as other Community Centres,
schools, Churches and other places of worship. Additionally, the Community Animator will be
required to organize and support meetings on behalf of Boiler House and its partners. They will
lead meetings, take meeting notes, and provide written summaries of meeting content to the
staff team.
Application deadline: 7th June 2017, 5pm
Interviews to take place on the 13th June 2017
Please apply via our online form https://n16boilerhouse.wufoo.eu/forms/communityanimator-application-form/
The Boiler House, George Downing Est, Cazenove Road, London, N16 6BE
T:0208 806 8013 [email protected] www.n16boilerhouse.com Charity Reg. 1148931
JOB DESCRIPTION
Position: Community Animator
Accountable to: Community Engagement Manager
Salary: £24,000.00 (Pro rata)
Hours: Part time; flexible 22.5h per week with some evening and weekend work
Main role
The Community Animator will play a key role in listening to people in the local community. They
will focus on documenting the assets present in the local area; build & develop local networks;
stimulate debate & discussion and act on issues of relevance to the community.
Main duties
1. Lead on conducting learning conversations with individuals, groups, associations and
civic & social organisations in the surrounding neighbourhoods of the Boiler House
(Cazenove and the surrounding areas) and to identify people’s motivations and interests
for strengthening their community
2. Explore and record mutual interests, passions and creative ideas for local community,
whilst responding to Boiler House’s strategic plan
3. Asset Map local resources, activities, groups and services
4. Pro-actively seek the involvement of under-represented or marginalised groups - identify
ways to increase participation for these groups
5. Assist with organizing meetings, workshops and events to engage the local community
with Boiler House networking and feedback activity
6. Set-up a new team of community engagement volunteers who will be supported by the
Boiler House to run local people-led community action groups
7. Support community volunteers in their personal development and pursue additional
training and guidance to help them fulfil their role successfully and gain new skills
8. Initiate new ideas for partnership work with other active groups and organisations in the
community
9. Assist with developing the role of the Boiler House as a go-to community anchor
organisation
10. Work pro-actively to represent and support the voluntary sector in Hackney
11. Support programs and initiatives happening in the Boiler House either through
administrative or operational assistance
The Boiler House, George Downing Est, Cazenove Road, London, N16 6BE
T:0208 806 8013 [email protected] www.n16boilerhouse.com Charity Reg. 1148931
General
● Hours of work are flexible and will be decided in consultation with the staff
team
● Full DBS check
● Work to the Boiler House’s policies and procedures
● Participate in training sessions and meetings as required
PERSON SPECIFICATION / REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications
Essential
Two years of relevant professional experience in community development work and
environment
Desirable
Education to Bachelor’s degree level desirable
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
● Will need a detailed knowledge of community development and / or community
organising processes and skills, ideally with Asset Based Community Development
experience
● At least 2 years’ experience of community involvement / participation, either through paid
or voluntary work
● At least 1 year experience in training, group work and/or facilitation, either through paid
work or voluntary work
● Experience of working with people from a wide range of backgrounds including those
marginalised by poverty and discrimination or where English is not a first language
● Experience of partnership-work
● Experience of working with and managing volunteers
● Experience of running or helping to coordinate events
● Understanding of community development and engagement
The Boiler House, George Downing Est, Cazenove Road, London, N16 6BE
T:0208 806 8013 [email protected] www.n16boilerhouse.com Charity Reg. 1148931
Skills
Essential
● Strong interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal.
● Group facilitation skills
● A portfolio of community research skills
● Excellent organisational skills
● Good analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
● Strong time and task management skills
● Self-motivation and be a supportive team member in a busy environment
● Ability to work independently
● Excellent ability to communicate effectively with people from a diverse range of
backgrounds including residents, local community members and representatives from a
range of professional organisations
● Genuine commitment and sensitivity to residents and community issues
● Demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges and setbacks
● Excellent ability to motivate, empower and enable community members to take part in
decision-making
● Competent IT skills including email, social media and internet skills sufficient to prepare
flyers and other communications, maintain databases, email, and website posting
● Ability to work out-of-hours – including weekends and evenings
● Project administration skills including note taking, event coordination and report writing
● Ability to work with respect for diversity and promoting equality of opportunity
● Must be able to work some week-ends and evenings
Desirable
● Project management skills including financial planning, time management, project
planning, monitoring and evaluation
Attitude and Values
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Derives great satisfaction from contact with people
A positive ‘can do’ attitude
A passion for social justice
A good sense of humour
A positive enthusiasm for working with faith congregations, schools and other community
organisations
An interest in and experience of public life
Able to work in a team
Willingness to work within accountable relationships
Self-motivated and adaptable
Application deadline: 7th June 2017, 5pm
Interviews to take place on the 13th June 2017
The Boiler House, George Downing Est, Cazenove Road, London, N16 6BE
T:0208 806 8013 [email protected] www.n16boilerhouse.com Charity Reg. 1148931