Job Title: Service Development Officer Salary and Pay Band: 29,598-33,661, E2 Hours: 35 Job Holder: Team (Directorate/ Nation): Location: Vacant Cymru Mid, South and West Wales. Manager: Director of MS Society Cymru Direct Reports: None Part 1: JOB PROFILE 1 MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB: To work proactively with statutory, voluntary and independent providers using an agreed framework to influence service provision and work to improve local services for people affected by MS, such as health, social services, employment and welfare rights. To ensure such services meet national guidelines and standards. 2 POSITION IN ORGANISATION: The post holder will report to the Director of MS Society Cymru and will also work closely with the following: MS Society Cymru team members Branch and regional volunteers Strategic Leads / Programme Managers - 1 -
Head of Operational Delivery, Head of Service Development Officers within National Centre particularly in Communications, Conferences, Policy & Campaigns and Information Relevant Officers and contacts in Health and/or Social Care, employment and welfare rights, statutory and private organisations Colleagues in other neurological charities and organisations with similar goals Director Policy, Press and Campaigns Manager Area Fundraiser for Wales Local Support Developme nt Officer Service Developm ent Officer Area Developme nt Officer Executive Assistant 3 SCOPE OF JOB: 1. Working with volunteers and People affected by MS 2. Project management, development, implementation and evaluation 3. Influencing development of services 4. Information gathering and mapping 5. Event organisation and delivery 6. Partnerships and Networks 4 DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY: Able to make decisions regarding service development activity and allocated resources within agreed parameters. 5 QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS LEVEL: Person Specification - 2 -
Qualifications Degree or equivalent Experience Proven experience of working with decision-makers and clinical professionals in the health service and/or social services Has proven experience of working with loosely-structured groups, preferably in a voluntary organisation Experience of working positively in a diverse environment Experience of working with volunteers and / or working in a voluntary sector organisation Knowledge and Skills An understanding of how health and/or social care services are structured, and how decisions may be influenced An understanding of MS and its effects and/or disability rights issues An understanding of disability employment and welfare rights issues An understanding of the importance of involving volunteers in service planning and evaluation Has the ability to plan and manage project-based work An understanding of the needs and motivation of volunteers Is outcome focused with the ability to analyse complex issues and situations, and develop practical solutions Has the ability to present and negotiate a case effectively, particularly with senior level professionals Possesses strong presentation skills Has excellent organisational skills and a thorough approach to work Has the ability to manage own time and prioritise with minimal supervision Is able to work flexibly as part of a team and on own initiative Is willing to take allocated work within the team Can demonstrate a willingness to undertake personal development to help enhance the skills in the role Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to persuade, guide and motivate others, particularly groups of volunteers Has the ability to communicate clearly and diplomatically at different levels, both orally and in writing Has the ability to respect the contribution of every individual and - 3 -
work positively in diverse environment General Attributes Is outcome focused with the ability to analyse complex issues and situations, and develop practical solutions Is willing to take allocated work within the team Can demonstrate a willingness to undertake personal development to help enhance the skills in the role Part 2: MAIN DUTIES & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Working with volunteers and People affected by MS - 20% To work as part of the MS Society Cymru team to ensure effective communication and joint working with people affected by MS and volunteers, placing them at the centre of all service development activities and initiatives. To contribute to, and support regional volunteers to, collate and compile written and web based information on local services, ensuring that it is regularly reviewed and up to date, when appropriate and feasible To support volunteers in risk assessments of physiotherapy and fitness provision using the MS Society framework 2. Project management, development, implementation and evaluation - 20% To input into the annual planning process of Wales and to contribute to performance management. This will involve gathering intelligence and reporting back to the Director of MS Society Cymru on the progress being made at local level against the annual business plan To work with, and be supported by, the National Programme Managers to ensure that local development work is merged with both MS Society national programmes and local support priorities. - 4 -
This will involve developing knowledge of the full range of programmes and supporting their implementation locally under the guidance of colleagues and providing a local context to National Programme Managers so that policy and strategy can reflect such issues. To proactively devise relevant project ideas and to lead and manage projects as per Wales team priorities. 3. Influencing development of services - 25% To work with the MS Society Cymru team to develop and facilitate projects that aim to deliver the national priorities and programmes of the MS Society at a local level To work closely with MS specialist healthcare teams in Wales to identify needs and work in partnership to develop services for people with MS To protect and develop new MS specialist posts To influence improvements in the quality and supply of services by encouraging and supporting local implementation of national guidelines and standards To ensure the work undertaken is directly linked to the MS Society s national programmes and strategy for influencing and delivering better services for people with MS 4. Information gathering and mapping - 15% To work with branches, regions, statutory and other agencies and the area team to help identify the unmet needs of People with MS, to establish an overview of existing services and to develop and deliver planned activities. 5. Event organisation and delivery - 10% To organise and facilitate local and regional meetings and events - 5 -
with the assistance of colleagues based at MS National Centre and Wales staff and volunteers as necessary. To establish the means for communicating the user and carer voice in negotiations with the key people responsible for the planning and provision of services for people with MS. To design and deliver training and awareness sessions to a wide range of audiences including volunteers and professionals from other organisations. 6. Partnerships and Networks -10% To represent the MS Society in local forums aimed at improving services in order to bring about opportunities so that the MS Society can influence the commissioning and service delivery intentions of a statutory authority. To participate and contribute to Wales and UK team meetings and training events as required Other Duties: Has the ability to recognise and respect the work of volunteers The post holder will be working in a developing environment and he/she will therefore be expected to undertake other appropriate duties as required for the effective operation of the MS Society. The post holder will need to travel extensively throughout their area and less frequently in other parts of the UK as required. A car, car allowance (or appropriate alternative provision for those covered by the Equality Act) will be provided The post holder will be expected to take advantage of opportunities to work with MS Society volunteers and/or attend MS Society events and centres (e.g. AGM, MS Life, regional meetings, care homes) across Wales and the UK. This will at times be in the evenings and weekends and require overnight stays The post-holder will be required to apply for a Disclosure check - 6 -
Standards and ethos: a. Working practice will clearly show a passion for engaging with the Society s volunteers and members in all their guises and agreeing and delivering objectives by working alongside volunteers b. Individual and team work-plans and proposals will be able to evidence how they were influenced, guided and reviewed by people affected by MS c. Post-holders are expected to establish an understanding of their role and that of staff in the Wales Team, and how they complement each other. The post-holder is expected to show high levels of flexibility to utilize the overlap between posts to maximum benefit of people affected by MS Health and Safety: Responsibility for health and safety in the area under his/her control and ensure that he/she is familiar with the Society s policy statement on health and safety at work. Equality and Diversity: Respect the unique contribution of every individual and work positively in an equal opportunity and diverse environment Signed.. (Job Holder) Date... Print Name.. Signed.. (Manager) Date... Print Name.. - 7 -