At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with individuals on probation, facilitating forums and managing feedback processes.
- Company: Pact, a dedicated organisation focused on supporting people with convictions.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, training opportunities, and supportive team environment.
- Other info: Full UK driving licence required; travel across the Southwest region involved.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by amplifying voices of those often unheard in the justice system.
- Qualifications: Experience in community engagement and understanding of criminal justice is essential.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Are you driven by making a difference to people with convictions and their families? Do you want to help make sure their voices are heard, and acted on? Pact has been commissioned to run a new Lived Experience Engagement Service across the Southwest Probation Region. It puts a monthly forum in every Probation Delivery Unit, so people on probation can say what is and is not working and see what changes as a result.
One postholder will have a base within this region and will be required to travel across Bath and North East Somerset, Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire, and another postholder will have a base within this region and will be required to travel across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Devon and Torbay, Dorset, and Plymouth.
This is a job with two halves. You will be in the room, running forums, small groups and one-to-one sessions, and making them feel safe enough for people to be honest with you. You will also be the person who makes all of it work behind the scenes: managing referrals from probation practitioners, booking accessible venues, keeping accurate records, and producing the monthly and quarterly reports our commissioners rely on.
The service must reach people who do not usually get heard. Women, young adults, people with additional needs, and people in rural and coastal areas where simply getting to a session is not straightforward. Part of your job is noticing who is not in the room and doing something about it.
You will run a “You Said, We Did” process, so every piece of feedback is tracked through to an answer. Over your first year you will also start building a group of peer facilitators from among the people who attend, so that in time the forums are co-led by people who have been through probation themselves.
This role involves travel, so a full UK driving licence is essential.
About you
- You do not need to have done this exact job before, but you will need to be credible with people on probation and reliable with detail.
- A Level 3 qualification, or equivalent experience, in a relevant field such as business administration, information advice and guidance, data or information management, criminal justice, community development, participation or co-production.
- A good understanding of the criminal justice system, probation practice and the barriers people on probation face, gained through work, volunteering, study or your own lived experience.
- Experience of engaging people with complex needs, including people involved in the criminal justice system.
- Experience of coordinating meetings, groups or events across more than one site, and of keeping accurate records and producing reports.
- Confidence capturing feedback, spotting themes and turning them into practical recommendations.
- A clear understanding of professional boundaries, confidentiality, safeguarding and risk escalation.
- A full UK driving licence.
What we offer:
Pact offers a range of benefits including a free advice, information and counselling service, contributory pension, corporate eye care scheme, cycle to work scheme and generous holiday entitlement. You will have the opportunity to attend training events to further develop yourself as a professional training and interventions worker. You will undergo a thorough induction process and be supported by a friendly and enthusiastic team.
How to apply:
If you feel that you meet the requirements of this exciting new role, please complete an application form by clicking the ‘apply now’ button.
*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Other information:
Pact is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all applications including those with a criminal conviction (appointment to post is subject to a risk assessment). This post is subject to a 20 week probationary period, verification of identity and proven right to work in the UK, satisfactory references from previous employers covering a 3-year period, declaration of any unspent criminal convictions (and where appropriate a satisfactory risk assessment), Prison Vetting and a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Please note that being bankrupt or having County Court Judgements may affect your ability to be successfully vetted to work in a prison.
Lived Experience Engagement Coordinator employer: PACT
At Bounce Back for Kids (BB4K), we are dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children affected by domestic abuse, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment. Our team members benefit from professional development opportunities, a strong commitment to safeguarding, and the chance to be part of an award-winning service that prioritises the well-being of families in Oxfordshire. Join us to contribute to a cause that truly matters while enjoying a fulfilling career with a focus on personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lived Experience Engagement Coordinator
✨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 PACT.
✨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 PACT.
✨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 PACT.
✨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 PACT. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Lived Experience Engagement Coordinator
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 PACT. 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 Engagement Coordinator, 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 PACT
✨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 PACT. 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!
