JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Speech and Debate Team Leader
Reporting To:
Director of Charitable Activities
Responsible For:
Competitions’ Officer Speech and Debate Projects Officer Speech and Debate Team Assistant
Overview
Responsible for day to day management and budget oversight of the ESU Speech and Debate department - note permanent staff are augmented by part time staff, mentors, interns and volunteers. Advise the Director of Charitable Activities in the analysis of staff objectives and appraisals. Develop strategic communications and advocacy initiatives and partnerships. Manage existing speech, debate and public outreach programmes and events. Work with all other parts of the ESU, especially the Head of PR and Communications and the Education Programmes Team Leader to enhance the impact of the ESU’s Speech and Debate programmes within the charity’s education portfolio.
Responsibilities
Take direct responsibility for developing the ESU’s Discover Your Voice programme – by increasing its ‘sell-in’ to schools, education authorities and groupings, charities and other appropriate outlets. Increase the income of the project and recruit, train and manage mentors to run Discover Your Voice. Take direct responsibility for managing The London Debate Challenge, ESU Debate tours and the Doctors Debate programme. Oversee the management of other ESU Speech and Debate programmes by other staff. This will include the Schools Public Speaking Competitions, Schools Mace, The John Smith Memorial Mace, International Mace, Debate Academy, Great Debates, Refugee Empowerment project and WSDC. Help maintain and grow the social impact of ESU projects across the UK with a focus on young people and the disadvantaged. Work with the Director of Charitable Activities to develop and implement high quality social and civic engagement programmes Work with the Director of Charitable Activities to initiate and develop strategic partnerships and collaborations with a view to diversifying the funding sources and institutional support for the ESU’s Speech and Debate programmes. Assist the Director of Charitable Activities in setting and monitoring budgets for all ESU Speech and Debate programmes. Assist the Director of Charitable Activities in commissioning web-based and written teaching materials and informational material.
Act as an Ambassador for the ESU at public events, and where necessary host and speak at such events. Work to expand and improve all areas of the ESU’s work in Speech and Debate in all age ranges.
Specific Skills and Experience Essential
Leadership, management and networking skills. Graduate calibre with good interpersonal and communication skills. Strategic drive and initiative. Empathy with and understanding of the educational and charitable objectives of the ESU. Commercial acumen/budget management skills. Time management and prioritisation skills. Ambassadorial and outreach skills. Excellent written and spoken English. Experience of teacher & mentor training. Knowledge of Debating and Public Speaking competitions.
Desirable
As the ESU is an international organisation, knowledge of a foreign language will be an asset. Experience of working in a membership organisation. Experience of working with and training volunteers.
Generic Qualities
To support and promote the charitable objectives of the ESU. To act as an ambassador for the ESU in all dealings with external bodies.
Hours of Work Normal hours of work are thirty five hours per week. Evening and weekend work will occasionally be required. Reasonable TOIL will be given to compensate out of hours work in agreement with the Director of Charitable Activities. Location The location of work is at the ESU headquarters at Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London W1J 5ED, although there may be a need to work at other ESU locations from time to time as the job requires. Some overseas travel may be occasionally required. Salary In the region of £24,000 - £26,500, depending on experience. The post is offered as a 9 month contract with the possibility of extension.