Local hub support role – self-employed
Following the successful launch of our first local group, in Glasgow, Fuel Poverty Action wants to develop a hub in Manchester.
We are looking to engage a freelancer to help establish this hub, which will support residents of Manchester and Greater Manchester to take meaningful action against fuel poverty. As well as to provide some remote additional capacity to the Glasgow hub.
About the role
This fixed-term role involves recruiting a small Steering Group for the Manchester hub, and supporting them to lead and develop the group as a focal point for energy justice campaigns in Greater Manchester.
By the end of the eight months, the aim is to have the Manchester hub successfully established and able to self-organise with light-touch support from FPA.
The ideal applicant will have experience in community organising or community development and training, and a background in campaigning. They will be passionate about FPA’s aims and believe in the power of people coming together to demand change.
Terms and conditions
Period: May to December 2024 (32 weeks/8 months)
Hours: By agreement, estimated at 10-15 hours per week or 6-8 days per month. Will include daytime hours as well as evening (and occasional weekend) meetings
Pay: £22-27 per hour, negotiable depending on experience
Location: Within commutable distance of central Manchester
Reporting to: FPA Organising Lead
The successful applicant will be engaged on a self-employed basis and responsible for their own tax and National Insurance contributions. They will require access to wi-fi and a mobile phone and laptop.
FPA acknowledges that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in progressive movements and we’re committed to doing what we can to correct this. We aim to provide equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background, and to be a truly anti-racist organisation. We are therefore particularly keen to receive applications from communities experiencing racism; disabled people; people who identify as being LGTBQIA; and people who identify as working class or have done so in the past.
Key responsibilities
- Lead outreach to organisations and networks to recruit members to a hub Steering Group
- Provide admin and logistical support to the Steering Group, including ensuring that meetings are well-attended and accessible
- Support Steering Group members to develop their own organising skills (using materials and training toolkits designed by FPA or other partners)
- Support activities that members choose to take on, including comms support and attendance at meetings and actions, until the group is able to do this itself
- Design and develop further toolkits (alongside FPA staff) as needed to upskill the membership
- Liaise closely with FPA staff via a range of communications channels
- Flag wellbeing/access needs in the Manchester hub for FPA staff to address
- Occasional travel to Glasgow or FPA national meetings
Person specification – Essential
- Experience of working or volunteering in a campaigning environment
- Experience of building, fostering and supporting diverse teams of people
- Meeting organisation and facilitation experience – in-person and remotely
- Excellent interpersonal awareness
- Ability to creatively overcome challenges by presenting new ideas
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to build strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders
- IT literacy, including Zoom, Canva and simple image and video editing tools
- Proficiency in using social media and other communications channels e.g. WhatsApp, Slack, Signal, Instagram, X and Facebook
- Highly organised, self-directed and adaptable
- A passion for justice and political engagement
Person specification – Desirable
- Graphic design skills
- A background in environmental, anti-poverty or housing justice activism
- Connections to social movements and trades unions in Manchester
- Experience working with volunteers and vulnerable groups
- Experience in encouraging activists to self-organise
- Experience of creating campaign toolkits
- An understanding of climate and fuel poverty issues and how they intersect
- An understanding of how to build an effective strategic campaign
How to apply
Please send a CV and a short covering letter (max. one page A4) covering three questions:
- Why are you applying for this role?
- What relevant experience do you have for this role?
- What excites you about working with FPA?
You should send your application to [email protected] by no later than 9am on Monday 29th April, with the subject title: [Your Name] Hub Support Worker application.
Selected candidates will be invited to interview on Weds 1st May. We would like the work to start as soon as possible.
Please visit fuelpovertyaction.org.uk for more information about FPA, and contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
About Fuel Poverty Action
FPA is a campaigning organisation at the heart of the fight for warm, well-insulated homes and clean and affordable energy, under the control of people and communities, not private companies and the fossil fuel industry. We care passionately about climate change, and want to see the UK’s energy system decarbonised as rapidly as possible with a just transition for communities and workers. Alongside pensioners groups, disabled campaigners, tenants’ organisations and others on the frontline of fuel poverty, we’re using protest and direct action to fight for real, sustainable solutions to the cold homes crisis.