At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful projects and consultations with individuals affected by crime and homelessness.
- Company: Join User Voice, a pioneering charity making real change in the criminal justice system.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and a chance to make a difference.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Use your lived experience to inspire change and support others in need.
- Qualifications: Personal experience with the criminal justice system and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Based in HMP Forest Bank and HMP Altcourse. Full time and part time available. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an innovative charity. We are looking for a dynamic, authentic and inspiring individual to join our team. At the national level, there is a crucial need for insights from people with lived experience of crime, addiction and homelessness to inform system reform as this voice is often absent. User Voice has an unrivalled footprint across the country engaging with the hardest to reach people through elected and trained service users who can provide the information to fill this void.
User Voice peer research projects, delivered by Lived Experience Consultants, will use this insight to influence fundamental changes to policy and public debate, innovate new services, and reform systems. User Voice peer research and consultation projects have a positive impact on individual participants as a result of the peer-led approach, changing institutions along the way by providing them with real-time insight and giving policymakers a reality check.
The successful candidate will be results and outcome-orientated with knowledge of the criminal justice sector and have their own lived experience. We are looking for passionate and motivated staff willing to go above and beyond!
Key responsibilities
- Leading the delivery of User Voice youth and adult projects and consultations
- Engaging with children and adults in both secure and community settings
- Liaising with research partners, prisons, probation and other stakeholders to gain access to children and adults, to support the delivery of User Voice projects
- Playing an active role in project planning and management
- Recruiting, training, and supporting children and adults to be involved throughout research, consultation, and other engagement projects
- Actively recruiting, training, coordinating and supervising groups of volunteers across our youth and adult projects
- Conducting interviews, surveys and focus groups and other engagement activities with children and adults
- Supporting the analysis, reporting and dissemination of project information/data
- Supporting the delivery of other User Voice Councils & projects as needed
PERSON SPECIFICATIONEssential:
- Personal lived experience of the criminal justice system
- Ability to communicate with a wide range of people at all levels
- Experience of engaging in a range of ways, e.g. interviews, surveys, focus groups
- Experience of recruiting, training, and supporting individuals and groups of people
- Interest in research and a desire to help others
- Computer literate to a good standard, including collecting and entering data
- Experience of contributing to project planning and project management
- Well organised with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively and meet deadlines amid a range of competing demands
- Ability to be flexible and adaptable to project needs
- Ability to accept and maintain confidentiality
- Commitment to Equity, Diversity and inclusion for all
- A ‘can do’ attitude and the motivation to succeed
Desirable:
- Existing prison and/or probation clearance
- Experience of social research techniques in any environment
- Experience of working with prisoners and service users
- Good knowledge of the charity sector and/or criminal justice
- Data analysis and reporting
- Experience of using spreadsheets, databases, and mobile technology
User Voice actively encourages applications from people with convictions and particularly welcomes applications from underrepresented groups within the criminal justice system. We are committed to creating a diverse and representative workforce, reflective of those that the organisation represents. We actively encourage applications from all sections of the community regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability.
This post is subject to an enhanced criminal record disclosure check via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) processes, as the post holder will have regular unsupervised access to vulnerable adults, young people and/or children. You must be off-license to apply, as this role is subject to prison clearance.
Key information
- Employer: User Voice
- Locations: Hybrid, Greater Manchester, Manchester
- Role Type: Permanent
- Salary: £25,000 - £30,000 depending on experience. We promote the Real Living Wage Campaign.
- Working Hours: Full-Time
- Working Hours Per Week: 35
To apply for this role:
Lived Experience Consultant in Manchester employer: Action Together CIO
Family Action is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting individuals through challenging times, with a strong focus on mental health crisis support in Bolton and Wigan. Our work culture promotes flexibility, compassion, and collaboration, allowing employees to make a meaningful impact in the community while benefiting from professional growth opportunities and a supportive team environment. With a commitment to employee well-being and a hybrid working model, we ensure that our staff can thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lived Experience Consultant in Manchester
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Action Together CIO.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Action Together CIO.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Action Together CIO.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Action Together CIO. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Lived Experience Consultant in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Action Together CIO. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Lived Experience Consultant, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Action Together CIO
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Action Together CIO. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
