Development Team Engagement and Training Officer

Role requirements

• Main Duties and responsibilities:

• Explore and facilitate new ways of connecting blind and partially sighted people together through new virtual, face to face and social media groups across the UK.
• Explore and trial new ways to connect individuals who are blind and partially sighted with groups, churches and Torch Together to develop Torch Connect.
• Explore opportunities to develop work focused on children and young people, piloting new ideas and seeking to build partnerships with specialist organisations.
• Actively look for opportunities to engage with young adults, explore ways to become more involved with them and pilot new events and activities.
• To offer support, advice, encouragement, training and guidance to Torch groups across the UK in line with the Torch Partnership Agreement and Guidance for groups.
• Help refresh existing Torch groups across the UK, offering support, advice and guidance.
• To act as supervisor for Torch nationally approved volunteer roles in relation to groups, including Regional Coordinators.
• Recruit, train, motivate, support and oversee the work of new and existing volunteers involved in Torch connect, groups and SLFC. 
• Attend churches, conferences, exhibitions, holidays, events and groups to speak, deliver training, give support and advice and exhibit across the UK.
• Plan, prepare and deliver virtual and face to face events, training and talks to churches, external partners, groups and individuals.
• Continue to develop our Regional events programme so that we continue to connect individuals and groups in key areas across the UK.
• Support the planning and delivery of the Torch Together virtual and face to face programme.
• Gather and share the feedback and impact of the various individual and group activities undertaken.
• Assist in promoting the work of Torch through carrying our radio interviews as required.
• Support the Development Team in delivering on our team priorities as and when required.
• Prepare reports and attend face to face meetings as required.
• Fully engage with the wider life of Torch Trust, contributing to prayer meetings, being involved as appropriate with other Torch services, supporting colleagues etc. 
• Promote and support Torch’s work in their church and other contacts in order to raise awareness and support for the ministry.
• Fully engage with Torch’s safeguarding policy and undertake the relevant training for your role.
• Undertake such other duties as the Head of Services or Chief Executive may from time to time determine.
• This job description will be subject to review and amendment, to meet the changing needs of the organisation

Person Specification:

Ability to confidently deliver virtual and face to face events independently or with others, and be able to engage with people including individuals plus church and group leadership teams.

It will be essential that you are well organised, able to plan ahead, work independently with minimum supervision and can organise your time effectively.

Willing and able to travel to speak, deliver training or lead a session at churches, conferences, events, groups or exhibitions, representing Torch in an engaging and inspiring way.

You will have excellent interpersonal skills who can communicate effectively, demonstrating the ability to work collaboratively with a range of different stakeholders.

You will be confident in I.T. and range of system processes, proactive, creative, and able to use your own initiative. 

Available to work flexibly, including some non-standard hours.

You will be reliable, always on time with a committed work ethic, always looking for what is the next task.

Good knowledge of safeguarding.

Able to fully support Torch’s values as a committed and practising Christian with an active personal relationship with God.

The ability to work effectively to deadlines, meet agreed tasks and achieve demonstrable results.

You will be a team player who welcomes collaboration with their colleagues, takes on board ideas from others and can accept comments and feedback on their work.

The ability to recruit, train, motivate, support and oversee the work of volunteers.

Contract and Work Pattern

This is a permanent contract of 21 hours per week. The working pattern may be varied and include weekend / evening work as needed, to meet the needs of the service, engaging with churches across the denominational spectrum.

More staffing opportunities

Other staffing opportunities will be listed here as they become available.