JOB DESCRIPTION: Professional Development Officer

Reports to National Training Centre Manager

Location Bristol with some travel across England

Salary Scale point 29-33 £25,346 per annum

Length of contract 14.8 hours per week, 12 month Fixed Term Contract

MAIN PURPOSE OF POST

To support the further development and delivery of qualifications that cover the provision of services for women and children experiencing domestic abuse/violence.

To work with the training centre manager, training officers and national staff to co-ordinate curriculum development and identify new opportunities to further enhance our current training offers.

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

To deliver expert input about all the strands of work and job roles within the domestic abuse/violence sector.

To develop further the qualifications that currently exist for the domestic abuse sector

To create the content and assessment framework for any new training products Identify new opportunities, further enhancing our current training offers Support the development of future opportunities by liaising with awarding

bodies, the sector and member organisations. To liaise with member services as to their future training requirements. Ensure effective communication with key stakeholders and staff in any new

developments To liaise with awarding body and other relevant national agencies. To develop partnership work with member organisations, where appropriate to

the needs of the work. Work with staff within the national training team to effectively provide what is

required for the sector Develop and deliver train the trainer programmes as and when required Report regularly to the training centre on progress of work To abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice, and to

work within a framework of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. To be flexible within the broad remit of the post To ensure the proper management of any products and participate in reporting

at departmental level as required. To maintain clear and adequate records of work done and to produce reports on

work programmes and activities as required. To carry out word-processing, filing, and administrative tasks necessary to

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To abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice, and to work within a framework of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.

To carry out administrative tasks necessary to carry out job description. To support the aims, values and principles of Women’s Aid. To abide by all terms and conditions of employment. To attend staff and team meetings as required. To report to management, in an accurate and timely manner, all lieu-time,

annual leave, sickness and other absence information. To undertake any other reasonable tasks deemed necessary by management. Whilst based in Bristol, this job will involve some travel for meetings. The Professional Development Officer will undertake these tasks in close liaison,

co-operation and consultation with the training manager, the training officers and other members of staff working in the organisation.

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PERSON SPECIFICATION: Development Officer

EXPERIENCE

Essential: Experience of developing training and qualifications, including assessment

processes. Experience of implementing delivery plans with a range of stakeholders Experience of writing and producing briefings, reports or other information

resources Experience of delivering training Experience of evaluating training delivery to ensure it meets the objective Experience of supporting others to improve their response to domestic abuse

Desirable: Experience of delivering services to survivors of gender based violence

SKILLS & ABILITIESEssential:

Excellent verbal communication skills to a wide range of audiences Ability to plan and deliver projects within a set timeframe and with clear

outputs/outcomes Ability to analyse complex information and impart that information in an

understandable way. Ability to work on own initiative to meet objectives in a complex, changing

environment and to plan, initiate, manage and evaluate projects Highly computer literate and proficient in word-processing, PowerPoint,

spreadsheets and databases, email and Website technology, preferably in a Windows based environment

KNOWLEDGEEssential:

A good understanding of Awarding Organisations (AO) and assessment. A very good understanding of the experiences and needs of survivors (women,

children and men) affected by domestic and sexual violence, and of the barriers to disclosure

Understanding of different learning styles and training delivery techniques Excellent understanding of the role of a range of services in supporting

survivors at risk of gender-based violence. Excellent understanding of the diverse local communities.

Desirable A good understanding of the legislative and policy framework in relation to

preventing violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence

EDUCATION/TRAININGEssential:

Teaching/training qualification, minimum PTTLLS or equivalent qualification

Desirable Recognised domestic abuse/violence qualification

OTHER REQUIREMENTSEssential:

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Able to demonstrate a commitment and sensitivity of the aims and objectives of Women’s Aid;

Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities; Willingness to work occasional unsocial hours as required.

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SUMMARY OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Terms of appointment: Confirmation of appointment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a probationary period. This will normally be of six months (less for short term contracts). During this time an employee will be expected to establish their suitability for the post. During the probationary period employment may be terminated in writing, giving one week's notice by either party (this may be waived by mutual agreement). Only any statutory dismissal procedure will apply during the probationary period. There is no probationary period for contracts of under 3 months.

Salary: £25,346 pro rata. Salary is paid in arrears through bank credit by the 25th of each month. Part time staff receive pro-rata payment based on hours worked.

Working hours: The standard working hours for this post are 14.8 hours per week, based in Bristol; benefits include a generous bank holidays and annual leave package and contributory pension scheme.

Support and supervision: Women’s Aid has a commitment to providing regular supervision and support to staff with annual appraisals forming a key part of staff development. We have a training policy in place and encourage staff to take an active role in their career development plan. Pension: Women’s Aid is enrolled with the People’s Pension scheme. Women’s Aid normally contributes 7% of salary and the employee contributes 3% towards the group pension scheme. Eligible staff will be automatically enrolled on the scheme when they have successfully completed the 3 month interim probationary review. .

Annual Leave: Women’s Aid offers an annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year rising by one day per year until 30 days annual leave per year is reached. In addition, we offer 8 days public holidays plus 2 additional days in March and August. All leave entitlement is calculated pro-rata for part time employees.

Other leave: Employees have contractual rights to time off for reasons of sickness, maternity and other circumstances.

Period of notice: 1 month after your probationary period has been completed.

Union: You have a right to membership of a trade union. Women’s Aid recognises Unison.

Asylum and Immigration Act 1996: To confirm your right to work in the UK, Women’s Aid will need to see the original of at least one document from a specified list (available on the gov.uk website). Most commonly this is a British Passport.

Additional information is available on request.

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