Job Vacancy: Head of Capacity Building

• Salary £45k per annum.
• Hours 35 hours per week 
• Location Hybrid: 3 days in Kings Cross office and 2 days working from home.
• Contract duration 2-year fixed-term.
• Annual leave entitlement 28 days per year plus bank holidays.
• Pension (employees only) 8% employer contribution.
• Reports to: Programme Director (Line Manager) & Deputy Chief Executive (Work Area Lead)

The postholder is responsible for leading and developing ARE’s capacity building portfolio, and managing the funding including that received by ARE for the UPLIFT Programme. 

• Provide overall leadership and management of the UPLIFT programme and CiN’s Grants+ programme, ensuring timely delivery against agreed outputs, outcomes and grant requirements. 
• Manage the Capacity Building consultants working with ARE across Capacity Building programmes and oversee the systems and processes being used to do so. 
• Work with external evaluators and organisations to ensure learning, impact measurement and evaluation findings inform programme improvement and future development. 
• To liaise with CBF and CiN and ensure the outputs and outcomes are being met. 
• Lead reporting, budget monitoring, risk management and performance tracking. 
• Review the project budget monthly and take any corrective action required in the event of projected over or underspend. 
• To complete any reporting (quarterly, annual etc) that ARE and funders require. 
• To attend any workshops held by the CBF funded learning partner for the Anchor Fund and CiN Learning Partner. 
• To take forward ARE’s other capacity building work with national and regional partners. 

• Lead the development and implementation of ARE’s capacity building strategy and programme offer. 
• Working with SLT to drive forward the recommendations in the Capacity Building What Really Works conference report with national partners, funders and Black and Asian civil society organisations. 
• Identify emerging capacity building needs across Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage-led organisations and develop appropriate responses. 
• To design, and deliver organisational development and leadership development support. 
• Track, manage and monitor the consultancy support to ensure successful outcomes for this element of the programme.  
• Allocate selected and vetted consultants to all organisations on the programme. 
• Identify opportunities to expand ARE’s capacity building offer and secure additional funding for delivery. 

• Develop and oversee workshops, peer learning opportunities, toolkits, networks and resources that strengthen organisational effectiveness. 
• Facilitate leadership development and communities of practice. 
• Promote the sharing of learning, innovation and best practice across participating organisations. 
• Develop and disseminate learning, insights and practical resources through digital platforms, events and networks for organisations across AREs alumni network. 

• Build strategic partnerships with funders, infrastructure bodies, regional networks and specialist providers to enhance support available to organisations. 
• Liaise confidently, articulately and persuasively with people at all levels of an organisation, both internally and externally. 
• Act as an ambassador for ARE’s capacity building work and contribute to sector-wide conversations on race equity and organisational development. 
• Work with ARE’s capacity building conference partners and regional partners. 

• To work with ARE comms lead to produce regular content for new secure ‘SharePoint’ site for the programmes and in line with set targets and to provide content for the ARE Network SharePoint site. 
• To work with the ARE comms lead to ensure any messages produced for this programme are used by funders, grant recipients and others – ensuring consistent comms and messages across all key stakeholders. 
• Work with funder Comms teams to ensure ARE (UPLIFT) and CiN Grants+ events and materials meet their requirements and expectations.  

• Line manage staff, including 1-2-1s, probation reviews, and annual appraisals.  
• To undertake any other relevant tasks in relation to the work of ARE as requested by the Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Executive.  

The successful candidate will have experience of managing programmes and of working with external stakeholders. They should understand the issues affecting Black, Asian and Mixed heritage sector organisations, particularly in the employability and financial resilience fields. The post holder will be actively interested in confronting racial inequalities and working with funders and grassroots organisations to support those impacted by these inequalities. 

• Experience in organisation development or capacity building work within the charity and community sector. 
• Experience of project and programme management. 
• Experience of building and managing stakeholder partnerships, including small Black, Asian and Mixed heritage grassroots organisations, funders, partner organisations, consultants delivering organisational development and others as deemed appropriate. 
• Experience of contributing to fundraising. 
• Have professional experience of leading and delivering capacity building programmes to small community based organisations. 

Skills: 

• Ability to provide strategic leadership and translate organisational priorities into effective programmes and delivery plans.  
• Excellent communication, relationship building and interpersonal skills. 
• Excellent planning and organising skills, with the ability to successfully multitask and meet deadlines. 
• Ability to manage key stakeholders including and manage their expectations of the programme. 
• Ability to adapt quickly and respond to changing circumstances and deadlines. 
• Ability to inspire, influence and support organisations to strengthen their leadership, sustainability and impact. 
• Responsible independence: ability to use own initiative whilst knowing when to seek advice. 
• Strong IT skills including use of email, calendar, word excel and PowerPoint. Skills using office 365 are desirable. 
• An individual with a ‘self-starter’ mentality, good written and presentation skills, and a passion for race equality. 
• A willingness to work flexibly to meet the needs of a small organization (including the occasional evening or weekend). 

Knowledge: 

• Knowledge of and an interest in race equality, including an awareness off the challenges facing Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage led civil society organisations. 
• Awareness of the diverse role ethnic minority civil society organisations and mainstream providers can play in improving outcomes for our communities. 
• Commitment to support individuals and communities impacted disproportionately in accessing employment opportunities. 
• Commitment to the vision, mission and values of Action for Race Equality.

Personal qualities

• The ability to manage work and time effectively, including the management of competing priorities. 
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.   
• Pro-active approach and skill in creative problem solving.   
• Flexible and adaptable with a can-do attitude. 

Confidentiality

All employees must respect at all times the confidentiality of the organisation both internally and externally

Alongside our values, we expect everyone to display the behaviours needed to 

contribute to our vision and purpose. In return, we seek to offer an inclusive, 

rewarding, and collaborative environment with several benefits. 

Stay and grow 

• 28 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays per year  
• Mid and annual performance review with development plans 
• 8% Employer pension contribution scheme 
• Annual individual Continuing Professional Development budget 
• Manage your attendance, expenses and development via our easy-to-use online Bright HR system and app 

Keeping healthy 

• Employee assistance programme 
• Mental health and wellbeing support  
• Glasses eye test cost reimbursed  
• Working from home equipment budget to work safely 
• Office closure between Christmas and New Year 
• Discounts for services and products via Bright HR system 

Great environment 

• Hybrid working  
• Team building sessions throughout the year 
• Opportunity to engage with Board of Trustees 

For more information, or an informal chat about the role, contact Indra Nauth.