About the role
BD Giving works to support and uplift the people, businesses and organisations that make Barking and Dagenham a better place for all. Since founding in 2020, our goal has been to foster a culture of active community participation and empower people to play a leading role in shaping their neighbourhood. In our approach to funding, we seek to decouple money and power and break down hierarchies to foster agency, opportunities, and trust within our community. In short, we believe that the people affected by funding decisions should be the ones making those decisions. To date, we have distributed over half a million pounds using participatory grant-making approaches and designed the first community-led investment fund in England.
We’re looking for someone to join us on the next leg of our journey. Someone who can think and act strategically and has experience developing partnerships. Someone who understands that innovation and change must be delivered with and for those it will impact. You’ll be an experienced convener and problem solver, used to bringing together partners with varying objectives towards a common goal. You’ll be motivated by delivering real change in complex contexts.
This role has the significant responsibility of working with members of the BD Collective to develop a robust Community Benefit Society (CBS) that puts its members in the lead. The successful candidate will develop a 3-year strategy for the CBS, through facilitated dialogue with members and the wider VCSE. It will convene the BD Collective members to establish a CBS management committee, and the values and principles of the CBS.
We’re looking for an excellent communicator who facilitates in an inclusive and dynamic manner, directing and providing focus to discussions while creating spaces that encourage diverse perspectives. You will be a keen collaborator with a solid grounding in the voluntary, community, social enterprise sector, enabling you to identify common goals relevant to the members of the Community Benefit Society members. You will bring together the sector to find and act on common goals, building a strong CBS that is able to take advantage of the opportunities presented through funding, commissioning and joint delivery opportunities.
We are looking for someone with a strong foundation in systemic methods for advancing social change and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. Someone who is passionate about elevating the voice of communities in everything we do, ensuring all decisions support communities to shape their neighbourhoods.
We are a small organisation that wants to make a big impact, and we recognise the need to have a diverse range of talent, skills and knowledge in our team.
How to apply
Like the sound of the role but not sure if you have the right experience? We’re always happy to have an informal chat. Please contact us at hello@bdgiving.org.uk and we’ll arrange a phone conversation with you.
Once you’re ready to apply please send your CV, along with a cover letter of no more than one A4 side using the person's specification as a guide to outline how your experience relates to the role and why you want to work for BD Giving in PDF format to hello@bdgiving.org.uk, with “Development Lead Application” in the subject of the email.
Closing Date: 6 October - Interviews to be held on 9 and 10 October.
View the full job ad here.