Senior DofE Coordinator

Salary:  £26,000 - £29,000 depending on experience and qualifications.

Contract and hours: A working week is an average 35.5 hours (We close early on Fridays from the end of October to end of March). Full or part time/term time only options available for the right candidate with flexible working hours considered. Immediate start possible.

Location: JLGB Office in London (E18). Will require travel around Greater London and project locations nationally. Hybrid/Home working will be considered, all staff currently work from home on Fridays.

About us

JLGB is a modern, thriving, innovative and award-winning national youth organisation that is a model of professional youth work for over 125 years. Through a diverse range of experiences and activities, JLGB seeks to enrich the lives of young people through its local, regional and national framework. JLGB removes barriers to participation by providing positive activities within a fun, friendly, safe and structured environment, that meets the religious and cultural needs of the Jewish community.

JLGB has a proud history of running The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), being one of the first delivery partners with DofE in 1956 and has been running DofE Programmes ever since. Today, our delivery engages around 900 young people across Bronze, Silver and Gold programmes who sign up via our partner schools and local JLGB groups.

The Role

JLGB are looking for an outdoor professional with project management and DofE experience to coordinate and lead our DofE provision. Primarily the role focuses on our Expedition delivery, with the support of the Delivery and Logistics Manager and the wider delivery team. Driving our commitment to outdoor education opportunities for young people, the role is responsible for ensuring that the planning, staffing and delivery of our DofE training and expedition framework are delivered to the highest standards and in line with our Standard Operating Procedures.

At JLGB DofE expeditions delivery programmes are predominantly delivered starting on a Sunday or during the working week. We do not offer expeditions or programmes on Saturdays.

We currently deliver around 20 overnight residential expeditions plus approximately 20 training days a year. Although the Senior DofE Co-ordinator will not be expected to attend all of the residentials, they will be required to attend the majority to quality assure delivery and to lead, develop and train the team.

Outside of the expedition season, the successful candidate will lead the impact and evaluation assessment of delivery, organise in-school drop-in sessions to support young people to complete their DofE programme, and support JLGBs wider programme delivery.

Responsibilities will include: 

• Ensuring the delivery of safe, enjoyable high-quality DofE programmes for all young people
• Planning, organising, delivering and safeguarding overnight expeditions in line with the standard operating procedures (SOP)
• Contribute to the continuous development and updating of the DofE SOP and relevant risk assessments.
• Supporting young people’s participation and completion of DofE programmes in line with JLGBs strategy to increase participation and attainment
• Overseeing communications to keep partners, parents and young people informed of JLGB’s DofE programme
• Liaising with stakeholders and partners to maintain positive relationships with teachers and senior leaders, faith leaders and youth workers to increase access to programmes for young people.
• Drive and maintain high quality programme delivery
• Adhering to JLGB’s processes and procedures, including responding to queries or parent enquiries in a timely manner.
• Providing line management, direction and support to members of the DofE staff and volunteer team including onboarding, induction, training, supervision, appraisal and performance management.
• Overseeing the care and maintenance of all of JLGB’s DofE equipment.
• Ensuring equipment arrives at expedition locations including driving the van.
• Using eDofE and JLGB’s administrative systems to support the delivery and management of DofE
• Generate reports for JLGB executive using data analytics to review and evaluate delivery
• Supporting other JLGB programme delivery as required

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties. You will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the organisation and the overall business objectives of the organisation.

Person specification

We are looking for some of the following attributes in the successful applicant, you may be more experienced in some areas than others.  We are interested in experience that’s both  job-related or gained through other areas of your life.

• You are passionate about the outdoors and want to share your enthusiasm to inspire young people.
• You have experience of working on residentials with young people
• You have a deep understanding of DofE programmes and experience of delivering this with and for young people.
• Your experience in the outdoors has led you to gain, or be working towards, a Mountain Training leadership qualification (Lowland Leader, HML, ML etc) or equivalent
• You have experience of managing or supervising staff or volunteers
• You are highly organised, data and IT savvy, and efficient with your time.
• You have excellent project management skills, the ability to multitask and thrive in a busy environment
• You are a team player, willing to get involved and work collaboratively across teams
• You have a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• You are committed to promoting the safeguarding of children and young people
• You believe in the mission and values of JLGB
• You hold a full UK driving licence

You may also have

• Experience of working with or in youth organisations
• Experience of working with individuals from a wide range of cultural and faith backgrounds
• Knowledge of best practice and relevant legislation concerning leadership in the outdoors

Please note this role will require evening and Sunday work. The ability to travel to project locations within the remit of the role is essential to be able to fulfil the requirements of the position.

What you’ll get in return

You will be working in a passionate and enthusiastic team with a strong vision and ambition in striving to enrich the lives of young people.

We offer 28 days leave plus bank and public holidays (this includes directed leave for Jewish high holy days that fall on a weekday), rising by 1 day for each completed year of service to a maximum total of 34 days leave.

Employer and employee contribution to pension following successful probation period, in line with auto-enrolment pension requirement, 3% employer contribution

Hybrid working, offering a flexible combination of office and home-based working.

We have a flexible policy for working hours and offer TOIL where staff are required to start early, finish late or work on a Sunday, so that you can reclaim these hours at another time.

How to apply?

We know sometimes the ‘perfect candidate’ doesn’t exist, and that people can be put off applying for a job if they don’t tick every box. If you’re excited about working for us, and have most of the skills or experience we’re looking for, please go ahead and apply. You could just be what we’re looking for!

Please submit your CV and covering letter, of no more than two pages, demonstrating what you would bring to the role in terms of your skills and experience

Please state any preferences for flexible working options in your covering letter, and if you are unavailable for any interview dates.

Send your CV and covering letter to vacancies@jlgb.org with the subject line DofE Coordinator

Deadline for applications: 5pm 15th December

We reserve the right to close this recruitment process early should we receive a high volume of applications.

For an informal and confidential conversation about this position please email vacancies@jlgb.org with your contact details, and suitable times to talk and a member of the team can call you back.

Additional information

Our staff team are currently based at our London Head Office (E18), although you may be asked to occasionally work at various locations to manage projects and volunteers as part of your duties.

Our offices are based in East London and we thrive on working closely together. Ideally you would be willing to meet team members at our offices for co-working more frequently, but we will be flexible for the right candidate.

All roles at JLGB are subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check, either a current or new application that can be made through JLGB. Should you be aware of any incidents, cautions or convictions that would appear in a DBS check, please notify us when you apply.

JLGB recognises the positive value of diversity and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified or experienced individuals, regardless of their race, gender, biological sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, age or neurodiversity.

If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email vacancies@jlgb.org

Please note all our posts require candidates to have the Right to Work in the UK at the time of applying.