ACADEMY DIRECTOR APPOINTMENT BRIEF April 2021
ACADEMY DIRECTOR | APRIL 2021
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WELCOME Thank you for your interest in joining Fight for Peace as our Academy Director. This is an exciting new leadership position that will play a vital role in leading our services for young people. Fight for Peace is an international young people’s organisation. Our purpose is to support young people to achieve their potential and to create peaceful communities. We deliver services from our London Academy in North Woolwich, work with our Alliance partners in 17 countries, run Collectives programmes in London and Kingston, Jamaica, and are closely aligned with our sister/founding organisation, Luta plea Paz, in Brazil. This is an important time to join Fight for Peace. Our new three-year strategy will set out the next stage of our ambitious and proactive response to the opportunities and challenges faced by the young people and communities we serve. As Academy Director, you will be part of the strategic leadership of the organisation, lead the development of our services for young people, manage a substantial budget, and support a passionate and committed team of staff. You will work closely with the CEO, and be part of our Executive Team and Leadership Group - made up of leaders from across the organisation - as well as working closely with our youth leaders. You will bring your professional knowledge, expertise and skills, and a personal commitment to the work and values of Fight for Peace courage, solidarity, inspiring, champion and embracing. The creation of this senior post is an important strategic decision for Fight for Peace. We hope you feel inspired to join us on our journey and look forward to meeting you.
Jenny Oklikah CEO, Fight for Peace
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FIGHT FOR PEACE | APPOINTMENT BRIEF
ACADEMY DIRECTOR | APRIL 2021
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ABOUT FIGHT FOR PEACE Fight for Peace is an international nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that supports young people to achieve their full potential and helps create peaceful communities. The organisation was founded in the Rio de Janeiro, in 2000, and set up in London in 20071. We believe the choices young people make are based on the opportunities and support they have access to, as well as the way they see themselves, how they relate to others, and how they see their future. That’s why Fight for Peace invests in young people, offering integrated and holistic programmes in a safe environment. Strategically we focus on three main activities: firstly, we provide direct services to young people through our Academies in London and Rio; secondly, we support youth-focused partner organisations who are members of the Fight for Peace Alliance; and thirdly, through our Collectives - currently in Newham and Jamaica we work with local partners, government bodies, donors and the private sector, to generate greater impact in preventing violence in communities.
A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO VIOLENCE PREVENTION Fight for Peace uses a public health model which focuses on three levels of violence prevention. We offer universal services that opportunities and provide support for all young people living in communities affected by crime and violence. We also focus on individuals or groups identified as being at risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of crime and violence. And we support young people most at risk of harm, or causing harm, to disengage from crime and violence, and work to prevent them reoffending or being victimised again.
OUR LONDON ACADEMY We set up our London Academy in North Woolwich in 2007 to provide services to children and young people aged 7 to 25 in the borough of Newham and beyond. Today, the Academy usually works with around 900 young people annually and acts as a training hub for our Fight for Peace Alliance member organisations. It is also the location from which we coordinate our London-based Collectives. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, many of our services are being provided online.
Fight for Peace and Luta pela Paz work closely together. We share methodology, values and strategy but are two separate legal entities. Fight for Peace is a UK registered charity and Luta pela Paz is a non-profit NGO registered in Brazil. 1
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FIGHT FOR PEACE | APPOINTMENT BRIEF
THE FIGHT FOR PEACE FIVE PILLARS Our Academies use a Five Pillars methodology, drawing on non-traditional methods to engage young people where conventional methods aren’t working. Through boxing and martial arts, young people build strength and discipline, gain self-respect and learn that success comes through hard work and dedication. We offer formal education programmes for young people who are not at school to re-engage with their learning, and employability support and training for young people to get access to the job market and progress in their professional lives. Through our Support Services, specialist youth workers support young people to overcome issues they may be facing at school, at home or in their personal lives. And our Youth Leaders help to design programmes, develop strategies and make decisions at every level of our organisation. In this way, we provide young people with the tools and support structures they need to become life champions and create positive futures for themselves.
BOXING & MARTIAL ARTS These sports promote respect, discipline, self-control, feeliings of belonging and self-esteem, and attract young people to join the programme.
EDUCATION Support and educational opportunities for young people who are outside formal learning environments or who have challenges with learning.
EMPLOYABILITY Access to the work market via training, vocational courses, and referrals to job opportunities through a network of partners in the private sector.
SUPPORT SERVICES A multi-disciplinary social support team provides services including individual mentoring, social, health and legal referrals, home visits and community outreach.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP Development of youth leaders via Youth Councils who represent the organisation externally and liaise with staff on strategy and programme development.
ACADEMY DIRECTOR | APRIL 2021
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OUR COMMITMENT
TO SAFEGUARDING, EQUALITY AND INCLUSION
Fight for Peace is committed to safeguarding the welfare of the children, young people and adults at risk that the organisation works with. We are committed to equality and inclusive practice. Fight for Peace actively promotes equality of opportunity for all and welcomes applications from a wide range of prospective employees and participants, including those with relevant lived experience, a history of offending or with criminal records. Fight for Peace will only ask an individual to provide details of sensitive information, including convictions and cautions, that it is legally entitled to know about. Most of our staff and volunteers will be in Positions of Trust and a Disclosure and
Our approach is driven by five values that underpin all areas of our work. They are:
We work in unity across our staff, young people and the community.
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Barring Service (DBS) check must be completed by anyone who meets the government’s definition of ‘Regulated Activity’ or ‘Regular Activity’ within our activities and services. We do not want this to be a barrier to those who have the potential to add great value to the work we do. All information disclosed for the purposes of employment will be used for the sole purpose of assessing whether an individual is suitable and appropriate to work with our members and/or if any specific arrangements around supervision and support might be required. All information gathered as part of our recruitment processes will be treated sensitively and equitably, with confidentiality strictly maintained.
We believe in a society without exclusion. Everyone is welcome.
We work with pragmatism and preparedness to be the best in all we do.
We aim to inspire our young people and be inspired by them.
We work where there is need and are proud to stand up for peace.
FIGHT FOR PEACE | APPOINTMENT BRIEF
FINANCES 2019 TOTAL INCOME: £6,148,381
Building of Acadmey Hub
£231k
Jamaica
£347k
Assets from merger between FFPUK and FFPI
£2.9m
Trading
£985k
South Africa
£23k
UK
£1.6m
Charitable activities
£2.2m
TOTAL EXPENDITURE: £3,052,838
Support Costs £542k Fundraising Costs
£34.7k
Grants to Luta Pela Paz
£227k
ACADEMY DIRECTOR | APRIL 2021
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HOW WE MEASURE
OUR SUCCESS We are an impact driven organisation that ensures our services deliver tangible change in the lives of the young people we support. Fight for Peace uses a professional monitoring and evaluation approach to measure the impact of our programmes on young people via our theory of change. We collect and measure quantitative and qualitative data to demonstrate this transformational process and regularly undergo external evaluations.
EXAMPLES OF OUR RESULTS
ACADEMY
ALLIANCE
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Wellbeing: 89% of young people surveyed said that Fight for Peace had a positive impact on how they felt in 2020
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Empowerment: 83% said that Fight for Peace helped them feel more confident
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Social inclusion: 69% felt more open to other people’s ideas because of Fight for Peace.
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Safety: 77% said that if they needed help, they would feel comfortable reaching out to people at Fight for Peace to get it.
COLLECTIVES •
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Creating Pathways alternative education programme: 46 young people completed the Creating Pathways programme across five partner organisations in the UK. 61% of them (28) gained a Maths or English qualification and 59% (27) gained a vocational qualification. Many of those who have not received qualifications during the programme timeline are planning to re-sit.
Psychological First Aid in Jamaica: 35 Psychological First Aid training sessions were delivered in 2020 for statutory, NGOs and community partners. Out of 66 participants surveyed, 92% rated the training as very good or excellent.
FIGHT FOR PEACE | APPOINTMENT BRIEF
FIGHT FOR PEACE THEORY OF CHANGE Fight for Peace uses learning from its Academies to train and support other community-based organisations around the world
Activities What Fight for Peace does
• Partner recruitment • Training • Consultancy support • Knowledge & information sharing • Grant making & joint fundraising
Fight for Peace directly supports young people from its Academies in Rio de Janeiro and London through the Five Pillars methodology
• Combat sports combined with personal development • Support services for young people and their families • Alternative education • Employability support • Youth leadership
• Network coordination
Outcomes What Fight for Peace aims to achieve
• Capacity: improved capacity (organisational & financial) • Knowledge: improved knowledge of effective methodologies for youth development • Network: increased network and collaboration
• Wellbeing: improved physical and mental wellbeing • Education and employability: positive changes in knowledge, attitudes and skills; progressions into employment or education • Empowerment: increased autonomy, identity, confidence, self-esteem and aspirations • Social inclusion: positive social relationships; contribution, accessibility and sense of belonging irrespective of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity or abilities
Fight for Peace uses the collective impact methodology to integrate multiple community services and actors in support of young people
• Joint programme delivery • Network coordination • Knowledge & information sharing • Referrals • Grant making & joint fundraising • Training • Consultancy support • Collaboration with government and law enforcement agencies • Policy influence
• Support systems: improved outcomes and support systems for young people (due to community-based organisations working together, rather than independently) • Capacity: improved capacity of communitybased organisations • Engagement: engagement with local community members
• Protection: resilience, safety and protection against violence Advocacy on systemic issues that act as barriers to young people reaching their full potential
Community-based organisations strengthen their ability to support young people
Young people realise their potential
ACADEMY DIRECTOR | APRIL 2021
Communities are more collaborative, inclusive and protective of young people
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ROLE DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: REPORTING TO: DIRECT REPORTS:
Academy Director Chief Executive
Head of Academy Programmes and Open Access Coordinator (and possibly other Coordinators)
SALARY: LOCATION:
c£60,000 per annum London (must be willing to travel when required)
ROLE PURPOSE: The post holder will be responsible for: the review, strategic oversight and effective implementation of the broad programme Academy youth provision, ensuring this is underpinned by robust approaches to monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), safeguarding, HR, health and safety, budgeting and staff development and support.
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FIGHT FOR PEACE | APPOINTMENT BRIEF
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Oversight of high-quality services for young people delivered at, and from, the London Academy.
• Working with the Academy Team to design
plans for delivery of strategic objectives and goals (new organisational strategy to be published shortly and to include the key principles of innovation, excellence and sustainability).
• Providing leadership, support, and guidance to the Fight for Peace team, setting and reviewing progress against clear objectives, engaging with their personal development, managing sickness and setting the cultural tone by bringing Fight for Peace’s values to life.
• Ensuring young people’s needs and views are
embedded across our operations and strategy; and evaluate how the structures and design of our programmes are adapted to reflect these views.
• Reviewing of job roles and responsibilities, team structures, HR, and recruitment practices, working alongside the People Director.
• Oversight of the implementation of the
recommendations from the independent safeguarding review and embedding policies and procedures.
• Setting and controlling an operational budget (c£1m), forecasting accurately, and making sound financial decisions.
• Regular review of policies and procedures to
ensure these are continuously improved in line with best practice and beneficiary needs.
• Ensuring that programme data is gathered
effectively, analysed to ensure excellent performance management, and is used effectively to support our young people to thrive, working closely with the Head of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL).
• Supporting staff well-being, training, and
management of workloads, including embedding staff supervision, reviewing learning and development, and motivating supporting staff.
• Supporting the Partnerships and Fundraising Team to maximise opportunities for funding youth work and sports provision.
• Building effective relationships with
strong emotional intelligence and political awareness to persuade and manage senior stakeholders and partners.
• Working with the Operations Team on health and safety policies, and risk assessments.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with voluntary and statutory partners and leading negotiations to develop consortium and other partnership working opportunities.
• Identifying opportunities to join-up best
practice between the teams in London, Rio, and Jamaica, and closer working with UK Alliance members.
• Presence at the Academy on a regular basis
to develop an understanding of our practices, programmes and culture, and support staff to make changes, where needed (subject to pandemic restrictions).
• Continuous improvement and further
development of all aspects of the Fight for Peace London Academy programmes to successfully respond to local youth needs within Newham and the surrounding areas.
The post-holder will be a member of the Executive Team and will report to the CEO - working with her to lead and drive effective and innovative service delivery for young people, and shape role priorities, objectives, and outputs - and linemanage a small number of staff. The post-holder will also be a member of the cross-organisation Leadership Group.
ACADEMY DIRECTOR | APRIL 2021
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PERSON SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE • Significant experience of working at a senior level in youth work, community sector, sport for development sector, and/or community safety.
• Passion for the issues and challenges
facing young people from ethnicallydiverse areas including socio-economic inequalities, barriers to accessing services and opportunities, racism and other forms of discrimination, violence and criminal exploitation.
• Experience and evidence of developing
and implementing strategies to drive a positive and effective diverse team culture with a focus on targeting and delivering programmes to meet the demographics of the young people and community.
• Ability to take a risk based approach to programme development and delivery.
• Personal credibility and the influencing and
communications skills necessary to establish professional relationships quickly with a range of stakeholders.
• Experience of people management and
development, including talent progression, priority setting and appraisals, performance management and recognition.
• Understanding and experience of
implementing safeguarding policies, procedures, and practice, including contextual safeguarding.
• Experience of building partnerships with
local, regional and/or national voluntary and statutory partners, including informationsharing.
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• Experience of contributing to the
development of complex funding proposals, including working in consortia and with a range of partners across the statutory, voluntary, and/or private sectors.
• Understanding of trauma-informed
approaches, and the public health approach to violence.
• Understanding of strengths-based approaches to community engagement.
• Excellent understanding of all aspects of
programme management, including setting objectives and milestones, financial managing and managing risk.
• Highly organised; capable of managing a
broad portfolio of activities, and adept at balancing strategic and operational demands.
• Dynamic professional with a positive, solution orientated and optimistic approach, able to make confident decisions in the best interests of young people.
• Outstanding verbal and written
communication skills; ability to analyse and synthesise complex information in a logical matter; and experience of using monitoring, evaluation and learning to evidence service results.
• Experience of contributing to a senior
leadership team, providing strategic leadership and reporting to a board of trustees (or other senior governance body).
• Proven ability to set and control an
operational budget, forecast accurately, and make sound financial decisions.
FIGHT FOR PEACE | APPOINTMENT BRIEF
PERSONAL APPROACH AND ATTRIBUTES • A passion for working with children and young
people from diverse backgrounds with a demonstrably committed to putting them at the heart of our work.
• Able to ‘change altitude’ from high level
strategic planning to operational frontline delivery with ease.
• A ‘can do’ attitude and a willingness to take on new challenges.
• The ability to deal with ambiguity and take tough decisions where needed.
• A drive for excellence and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Strong alignment with the Fight for Peace values of solidarity, championing, inspiring, courage and embracing.
• Having worked directly with the social and
economic issues experienced by the young people that Fight for Peace works with, and/or having lived experience, would be an advantage.
• Committed to diversity and inclusion,
championing the principles of equality of opportunity.
EQUITY AND DIVERSITY Fight for Peace recognises the value of equity and diversity and is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from suitable candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend any interview, please let us know.
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HOW TO APPLY To apply to become Academy Director at Fight for Peace, please upload a CV and a supporting statement of no more than two pages of A4 onto our website.
Applications should be made via the Prospectus website at: jobs.prospect-us.co.uk/jobs/details/HQ00178371
We ask that you complete the equal opportunities information online when you submit your application via our website. The information collected will be treated as confidential, used for statistical purposes only, and will not be treated as part of your application.
RECRUITMENT TIMETABLE
Finally, please ensure that you have included your contact number and email address, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the indicative timetable.
These dates may be subject to change and applicants will be advised in advance should this happen.
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Deadline for applications: 9th May Interviews with Prospectus: 17 May - 25 May Interviews with Fight for Peace: W/C 31 May
FIGHT FOR PEACE | APPOINTMENT BRIEF
QUERIES If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact Alex Williams on 0207 691 1920 or via email: alex.williams@prospect-us.co.uk
ACADEMY DIRECTOR | APRIL 2021
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FIGHT FOR PEACE | APPOINTMENT BRIEF
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