Youth Worker Bradford and Keighley

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1 Youth Worker Bradford and Keighley Background The Feast is a Christian youthwork charity endeavouring to promote community cohesion between young people of different faiths, with a particular focus on Christians and Muslims. The Feast currently employs six youth workers; two Christian and two Muslim youth workers in Birmingham, and a Christian youth worker in Bradford and Keighley and in Tower Hamlets in London. Due to the departure of our worker in Bradford and Keighley in February 2015, we are now seeking a new youth worker in this location. National Structure The Feast was founded in Birmingham in 2009 by Dr Andrew Smith, formally of Scripture Union and the Christian Muslim Forum, and now the Bishop of Birmingham s Director of Interfaith Relations. With recognition of the importance and effectiveness of The Feast s programme has come the opportunity to grow our work in Birmingham to four youth workers, including additional schools and faith groups. Beyond Birmingham, The Feast has also been invited to establish Local Leadership Groups (LLGs) in Bradford and Keighley in West Yorkshire and Tower Hamlets in East London, where we now employ individual youth workers. These six youth workers report to our Field Development Manager, who is based out of The Feast s Hub Office in Birmingham. Discussions are currently underway to establish The Feast in Luton during 2015, along with international work. From our home in Birmingham, The Feast s Trustees and CEO are committed to supporting and nurturing our growing national work. This is done by partnering with each LLG as those responsible for the work in their locality, as well as managing the staff team in delivering compelling outcomes for young people and communities. About the Job Young people today are growing up surrounded by different faiths yet often lead separate, parallel lives. As a result young people from different faiths can experience barriers of ignorance, fear and mistrust in their communities, which sometimes even progresses to hostility or conflict. The Feast is empowering young people to spearhead social change. The Feast is all about... Exploring faith: young people are encouraged and equipped to discuss their faith in ways which draw out both the similarities and differences between them.

2 Creating friendships: by bringing together young people in a positive and fun environment we provide the opportunities for them to get to know one another, work on projects together and build ongoing friendship built on trust and respect. Changing lives: having been to events run by The Feast the young people are challenged and enabled to live out the lessons they have learnt in their everyday lives amongst their friends, family and the wider community. Our Vision is to see young people from different faiths coming together to form real friendships that move them to be peace-makers amongst their peers and in the world.

3 Job Description Summary Job Title: Youth Worker Bradford and Keighley Salary: 19,000-21,000, depending on experience and qualifications Pension: The Feast will contribute to a 6% pension upon completion of the probationary period. Location: Bradford and Keighley Reports to: Bradford and Keighley Local Leadership Group Direct reports: Hours: 37.5 hours per week Contract: Contract subject to a six months probationary period. There is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a practicing Christian. Main Functions Local Churches - engage with local churches and their young people, helping them to grapple with and participate in loving and befriending neighbours who are of a different faith; Schools work - establish a presence in a school, to find and work with students willing to meet up with peers of another faith. Faith encounter youth activities - plan, promote and lead fun youth events between young people of different faiths. Empower leaders - network, form trusting friendships and invite involvement of leaders and volunteers from faith communities in the work. Activities The role encompass many of the following in consultation with The Feast FDM and the Local Leadership Group. Encounter Events: To develop both day events and residential activities that enable Christian and Muslim encounters. To involve young people in the planning and setting up of events. To work with local Christian churches and their youth groups to enthuse leaders and young people about The Feast, and how healthy engagement with peers of a different faith is important to youth spiritual growth as they learn how to love their neighbour as Jesus taught. To work with local church youth groups to enthuse leaders and young people about the project and identify participants for encounters with Muslims. To seek to build relationships with Christians and Muslims from outside the Keighley area in order that encounters with people from different locations might be possible. To recruit volunteers to help run events, and to identify and respond to the training and development needs of those involved. Schools Work: To work in local secondary schools, one day per week (or equivalent) in each, establishing appropriate activities in liaison with school staff and the management group.

4 School activities may include leading / taking part in lessons, assemblies, lunchtime and afterschool activities. To be involved in and supportive of the school community in appropriate ways. Promotion: To promote The Feast project locally and if necessary nationally. To write blogposts for The Feast website and to engage in social media as directed by The Feast s promotional plan. Working with your LLG: To work with the LLG to explore ideas for the future development of the project. To work with the LLG to identify and secure funds to enable specific projects to take place. To work with the local Treasurer and LLG to ensure that funds are used wisely and are properly accounted for. To be responsible for effective administration of the work, including monitoring outcomes and evaluating the effectiveness of the Christian-Muslim encounters. To recruit two young people to the LLG. To work with members of the LLG to ensure that Safeguarding and Health and Safety procedures are followed appropriately and diligently. Other: To undertake personal and professional development by study and training and participation in an annual work review. To attend relevant Training Courses and Conferences. Accountability The worker will be employed by The Feast nationally, and is accountable to The Feast Trustees, for all aspects of his/her work. The worker will report to the Local Leadership Group (LLG) of The Feast in Bradford and Keighley, and their nominated line manager in particular. The worker will report to the line manager at least once a month, and will meet with the LLG at least twice a year. The worker will receive support and guidance from The Feast staff in Birmingham, with national team meetings at least six times a year. Terms and Conditions The post is full time, for 37 hours per week. Flexibility to work weekend and evening sessions will be required, resourced on a time off in lieu basis. There will be five weeks (25 days) pro rata holiday each year, plus Bank Holidays. The post will be based at our Bradford and Keighley office, though travel across the cities and region, plus travel to our National Hub in Birmingham, will be required. The post is subject to a six month probationary period.

5 Person Specification Attributes Essential Desirable Qualifications and Experience Training Special Knowledge Personal Circumstances Disposition /Attitude A genuine experience of Christian faith in your life that you can relate to young people. Proven ability of engaging with secondary school students. Proven track record of organising successful youth events. Proven experience working in secondary schools. Ability to plan, deliver and evaluate work. Awareness of the needs and issues affecting young people. In youth work or a related activity. Youth work in a faith or schools context. Knowledge of Child Safety legislation. Understanding of different cultures found within Bradford and Keighley. Understanding of Christian- Muslim dialogue. Some understanding of Islam and other world faiths. Willingness to live within or close to the local area. Active Christian commitment. Flexibility to work evenings and some weekends. Able to agree with the operating principals and aims of The Feast. A desire to put the interests of young persons as a priority. with staff and young people of different faiths and none. Qualification in youth work. Experience of working in a multifaith environment. Experience of Christian-Muslim encounters. Experience of working with children and families. Experience of developing and maintaining a supporter and contact base. Work with secular bodies in the area of youth and children s work. First Aid Certificate. Understanding of how to work with schools. Understanding of issues in multi-cultural and multi-racial areas. Ability to initiate and contribute creatively to team strategic planning. An understanding of family situations and dynamics. Commitment to working How Identified

6 Practical and Intellectual Skills Willingness and ability to work with and lead other groups of people, including professionals and volunteers. Willingness to undertake professional development. Ability to form appropriate relationships with people of all backgrounds. Youth Work skills. Ability to engage with and enthuse those working with young people. Ability to inspire people of faith to engage with The Feast. Ability to network with appropriate people and draw in their expertise. Ability to recruit, train and retain volunteers. Ability to organise own workload and to work on own initiative. Ability to initiate and implement new ideas. Proficient in IT (particularly MS Office) and record keeping. Good written and verbal communication skills to a range of different audiences. A developed and considered theological perspective of life. collaboratively with both church ministers and lay people, along with other faith-based youth workers and members of faith communities. An appreciation of, and respect for, the broad range of theology across the membership of the Church. Ability to manage a budget and work schedule.