The Foyer Federation Looking for Operations and Projects Assistant at Remote Full Time

Operations and Projects Assistant

Salary/Rate: £26,000 pa (£13,000 pro rata)

Hours: 17.5hrs (0.5 FTE). Ideally 3.5hrs every weekday – times to be agreed with postholder with flexible working hours.

Status: Permanent

Holidays: 25 days + bank holidays (pro rata)

Location: Home-based

Reporting to: Chief Executive

Good at project management? Get a kick out of being highly organised and efficient? Want a different take on office management? We are looking for a part-time Operations and Projects Assistant to make sure our small but lively team works as effectively as possible. Someone who encourages us to maximise the resources at our disposal, who loves it when every day is different and has a can-do attitude.

The role will support the development and delivery of Foyer Federation’s operations and projects as well as the improvement of our internal systems and processes.

This role is excellent for someone who has transferable skills from previous operations, administration or HR roles and would like to move into the youth and homelessness sector.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a part-time, organised, savvy and highly efficient Operations and Projects Assistant who is eager to join a creative and ambitious organisation at a critical point in our 30-year history. We are looking for someone who gets their kicks from making things run smoothly ‘behind the scenes’ and who loves to help support colleagues to do their job better.   

You will be a ruthlessly organised, painstakingly diligent professional with a killer eye for detail. Your administrative and communications skills will be second to none, and you will have a strong knowledge and understanding of the charity sector.

Who We Are

The Foyer Federation is a small, innovative youth charity working to improve the lives of young people who can’t live at home. Since 1992, we have worked with a network of Foyers to inspire, challenge and quality assure approaches to developing the skills and resources young people need to thrive, not just cope.

We believe all young people can shape a successful journey into adulthood if they have access to the right training, contacts and opportunities to invest in their talents. We’re leading a movement of like-minded organisations and individuals who want to improve the prospects of all young people through an asset-based approach, which we call ‘Advantaged Thinking’. We’re committed to working with our network of Foyers and external experts to improve the ‘offer’ for young people.

We are looking for individuals who resonate with our core values: Maverick, Savvy, Authentic, Loving and Brave. 

Role Overview

This role will support the charity’s core operations and help ensure the smooth running of the organisation as we grow our staff team and increase our impact. Our staff team and delivery output will be doubling over the next 6 months and as a result we now need a dedicated role primarily to manage the administrative needs of the core charity operations as well as some HR and project assistance. 

You’ll take the lead on matters relating to operations and administration in close liaison with the Chief Executive and the Company Secretary & Executive Assistant. In addition, you will support other staff to effectively deliver our offer to Foyers and young people. You will be confident interacting with a wide range of partners, funders and members, including senior staff by email. 

This is a busy and challenging role within a small, friendly team. You’ll have up-to-date IT skills, a drive to improve efficiency and the creativity to streamline our operations. Being highly organised doesn’t stop you from embracing change and using your initiative to help the charity grow. You’re the kind of person who deviates from the plan if it’ll make things work better.

Duties & Accountabilities:

Core Charity Operations

Oversee the safe and secure organisation and storage of files and folders primarily through G-Suite (as well as any paper based records) ensuring folders and files are easy to find and up to date, managing security settings and promoting good practice.

Maintain a robust database and mailing lists of funders, contractors, freelance workers, volunteers and partners using the White Fuse CRM software.

Develop, maintain and manage effective recruitment processes (alongside the Company Secretary and EA) for advertising, shortlisting, interviewing and appointing staff, consultants and volunteers. 

Oversee the onboarding, induction and off-boarding of staff members.

Oversee the subscriptions and contracts of the charity including insurance, mobile phones, web hosting, IT support and online subscriptions.

Own and maintain key organisational documents.

Developing operational policy and procedure – eg. around IT security and GDPR – and the management and administration of our IT systems, Health and Safety etc.

Project and Team Administrative support

Help plan and take minutes of internal team meetings and relevant external meetings eg with members, key stakeholders etc.

Manage the administrative tools of the charity; supporting staff to access and utilise them effectively including our holiday booking system (Whosoff), Trainline account, Google suite, Microsoft 365, Zoom, CRM system and co-work space membership.     

Support the staff team on specific projects, programmes and events providing administrative support when possible.

Assistance for the Chief Executive 

Support the Chief Executive with specific tasks relating to finance, banking, HR and operational administration.

Support the Chief Executive with administrational and other assistance, including diary management and coordination, communications with external people and organisations and other general support.

Support the Chief Executive with email management in periods of busyness or when away from desk for long periods.

Format and proofread documents and collate information for funding proposals and grant reports

General

To apply the Foyer Federation’s policies and procedures and ensure compliance with relevant obligations, including Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Data Protection and Equal Opportunities.

To ensure your own continuing professional development by undergoing training and other activities.

To undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required.

This job description may be amended from time to time, as the needs of the organisation require.

Person Specification – Essential Skills & Capabilities

Highly organised; Able to manage colleagues diaries and support and coordinate busy, varied work schedules and prioritise workload effectively

Great customer service approach: Friendly and solutions focused, with a can do attitude and problem solving skills.

Very strong administrative skills; meticulous attention to detail. Able to produce structured concise meeting minutes and actions

Some working knowledge and understanding of general charity operations and compliance requirements.

Strong communicator with very good professional verbal and written skills

Capable of using various technology platforms (e.g. Microsoft, Apple products,  Zoom, Google suite).

Able to work in a flexible, efficient, resourceful and self-driven manner working remotely using technology to stay engaged with a wide range of stakeholders

Discrete and has respect for confidential information

Committed and passionate about the cause of the charity

Desirable qualities

Good understanding of the UK charity sector and structure

Understanding of supported housing and/or youth services

Experience of working remotely

Strong research and investigative skills to provide information to improve our systems and operations.

Additional notes

This post has no budgetary or line management responsibilities.

The post-holder will be supplied with a company Macbook and phone as well as other equipment to support the role if required.

There is no specific requirement for expertise or experience around finance or HR as we use an outsourced Finance Team for our bookkeeping, management accounts and all other finance needs and we use a specialist HR consultant for specific HR tasks.

To Apply

To apply, download and read the full job description and equal opportunities form. Send your completed form and a copy of your CV to our inbox email address. Please also include a cover letter that outlines your suitability for the role based on the competencies in the job description, and why you want to work for Foyer Federation.

Applications close at 12pm on Tuesday 16th August 2022.