Our Peer Support Service provides support to over 130 local member groups through education, resources, small grants, and networking opportunities. This includes delivering an annual national conference, monthly group leaders networking, peer to peer coaching sessions, equality, diversity and inclusion training to name a few.

About the role:

Following the successful application of a National Lottery award, we are seeking two dedicated and compassionate Peer Support Group Development Officers to set up and sustain local peer support groups for people living with and affected by prostate cancer. These roles focus on building on our established networks to expand peer support in defined areas, facilitating group formation, and enhancing service delivery through strategic outreach and resource development.

We are seeking confident and hardworking individuals with experience in the charity sector and, ideally, peer support. You are a team player, pro-active, able to work with minimum supervision and live in the geographic region for the role that you want to apply for. You will be working with a range of stakeholders from community and NHS organisations to develop peer support services; taking ownership of some of our existing peer support activity whilst taking on new programmes of work. You will be a professional, people person, be creative about seeking new ways of working, and enjoy networking to build relationships. You demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion with an empathic and non-judgemental approach to working people. A willingness and availability to work evenings and occasional weekends is desirable.

Your job responsibilities:

• Group formation and support: Oversee the setup and operation of 10-12 self-sustaining and independent peer support groups within your assigned region across the lifetime of the three-year project. Ensure smooth delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of group activities. Support existing group leaders and organisers to reach more people living with and affected by prostate cancer with tools and resources.

• Volunteer Coordination: Recruit, train, and support volunteer Support Group Leaders. Assist in the co-production of training materials and resources, aimed at creating self-sustainable groups.

• Community Engagement: Conduct outreach to map existing support services and facilitate the integration of these services with the peer support groups. Host local engagement events to boost volunteer recruitment.

• Data and Case Management: Use a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to support high-quality volunteer and case management, ensuring accurate data collection to support service outcomes.

• Training and Development: Develop and deliver tailored training programmes for volunteers based on the specific needs of Group Leaders and Organisers. Set up regional forums for sharing best practices and peer networking. Encourage use of Members Portal to share good practice.

• Documentation and Compliance: Ensure compliance with the Best Practice Guidance document and adherence to safeguarding policies to maintain the safe governance of peer support groups.

Skills and qualities required:

• Strong Facilitation and Communication Skills: Ability to engage effectively with diverse groups. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• Project Management: Proven skills in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders. Ability to meet deadlines and manage a varied workload.
• Volunteer Management: Experience in recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers in community settings. Knowledge of best practices in volunteer management.
• Influencing: Experience of influencing a wide range of partners and stakeholders, and in particular clinicians and voluntary and community providers within the health and wellbeing community.
• Community Development: Experience of developing and delivering community services with a range of stakeholders, including health and social care workers, commissioners, local authority and community and voluntary partners.
• Data-Driven Approach: Experience with data collection and CRM systems and a commitment to data-driven service evaluation.
• Community Sensitivity: Experience collaborating with people with a lived experience of cancer or other long-term conditions. Ability to understand and empathise with community needs.
• Administrative Strong administration and IT skills to maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Safeguarding Knowledge: A good understanding of safeguarding practices, particularly concerning vulnerable populations.

Educational qualifications:

Relevant qualification or experience in Community Development, Psychology, Public Health, or a related field is preferred.

Essential requirements:

• A genuine commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the role.
• Live in the geographic region for the role that you want to apply for.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Willingness to travel within the designated region and, on occasion, nationally when required.

What you’ll need to demonstrate:

• Relevant professional qualification or equivalent work experience.
• A solution focused team player with a positive, can-do mindset.
• Proven experience of supporting volunteers in community settings with an emphasis on understanding and working with people living with cancer.
• Excellent time management skills.
• An understanding of cancer care, palliative care or related specialist area.
• An ability to put people at ease and a true enjoyment of working collaboratively with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written, verbal and visual communications with brilliant attention to detail.
• Understanding of researching, mapping and unlocking community assets that support service delivery and signposting.
• A strong commitment to ensuring outcomes and impacts of services are evidenced through high quality data collection.
• Excellent administration and IT skills.
• Ability to work virtually and on your own initiative and manage a complex and varied workload to successfully meet project deadlines and targets.
• A real commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion within your role.
• Right to work in the UK.

How to apply:

Please email  [email protected] a CV and a supporting statement that addresses the following 3 questions (no more than 2 pages

1. Describe a previous experience where you successfully set up and managed a community or support group. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
2. Can you provide an example of a training programme or workshop you developed for volunteers? What were the key objectives, and how did you ensure the content met the needs of the volunteers and the service users?
3. Effective communication is crucial in this role, especially when dealing with sensitive topics such as living with prostate cancer. Can you share an experience where your communication skills made a significant difference in a volunteer or support group setting?

Please note, we will not shortlist candidates who do not include both CV and question responses.

Application deadline: Sunday, 20th October 2024 by 5pm

Interview dates: w/c 4th November 2024

Midlands Peer Support Group Development Officer