The Nature Agency Consortia - Background

For link to job advert with remuneration details click here

Open Minds Active, founded in 2019, offers outdoor activities, focusing on swimming for underrepresented groups. We are a small, energetic team, passionate about outdoor movement, where we manage a diverse range of projects and partner with Soultrail Wellbeing CIC and Active Being Ltd, to provide nature-based interventions that improve mental health and wellbeing. 

This new role will be key in shaping the brand new nature agency consortia and expanding inclusion and diversity in outdoor activities that support wellbeing and mental health.

Role overview

The ideal candidate will: 

• Work directly with directors of each consortia organisation to coordinate programme design, delivery, and review.

• Manage relationships with funders, partners, and other stakeholders.

• Deliver a variety of programmes and collaborate closely with other team members.

• Oversee programme monitoring and evaluation to show the social impact of the consortia.

• Streamline programme processes and resources for the Nature Agency to ensure smooth service delivery.

• Adapt to changes as this is a new role, with duties and time allocation shifting based on emerging needs.

• Experience in running community support initiatives or similar roles in the voluntary sector.

• Strong understanding and hands-on experience with diversity and inclusion.

• Excellent project management skills.

• Outstanding communication skills.

• Confident working collaboratively with colleagues, funders, partners, venues, and participants.

• Strong understanding of the benefits of physical activity for mental health and well-being.

• Ability to handle a varied workload with significant responsibility.

• A forward planner who can manage multiple priorities.

• Be initiative-driven, trustworthy, and lead by example.

Main responsibilities 

• Meet with community organisations and partners to share programmes, build connections, and create referral pathways.

• Lead focus groups with diverse community members and organisations.

• Streamline practices, policies, and procedures across the organisations, focusing on safeguarding, risk management, and shared documents.

• Manage referrals, handle triage, maintain relationships with referrers, and signpost when needed.

• Help with marketing and social media for the consortia.

• Build and maintain trust with key community groups and partners.

• Keep clear and effective communication.

• Administer programme

• Create the Nature Agency operational agenda.

• Attend meetings and minute taking.

• Ensure individuals from the (Inner City and East) ICE locality meet target group thresholds (mental health, long-term conditions, specific populations).

• Manage transport budget and support for participants.

Additional responsibilities 

• Oversee all admin and paperwork for new and returning participants across programmes

• Evaluate and track improvements in mental health and well-being.

• Produce reports after each cohort and create an annual impact report.

• Ensure work is done efficiently to maintain high programme standards.

• Support other key functions, like strategy, programme design, and theory of change.

• Contribute to fundraising efforts through bid writing and other tasks.

• Have opportunities for personal development and lead in strategic areas of interest.

Person Specification

Skills and Qualifications

• At least two years’ experience in programme or project management in a community setting.

• Passion for nature and experience leading or participating in outdoor sports/physical activities.

• Experience working with and engaging diverse communities.

• Knowledge of operational policies, including safeguarding.

• Excellent time management and organisational skills, able to handle multiple projects at once.

• Able to work independently, adapt easily, and take a proactive approach.

• Strong interpersonal skills with empathy and integrity.

• Confident in presenting, writing, and speaking fluently in English.

• Ability to motivate self and others, with a focus on self-reflection and personal growth.

• Excellent IT skills. (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Experience in impact evaluation (training will be provided).

• Ability to manage social media accounts.

• Knowledge of safeguarding and relevant policies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to travel independently (ideally with access to own vehicle for remote locations; expenses reimbursed).

• Knowledge of basic design tools (e.g. Canva).

• Level 2 qualification in delivering physical activities.

• First aid qualification.

• Experience or qualification in tutoring or group facilitation.

• Safeguarding training.

• Mental health first aid training.

• Training as a nature facilitator or willingness to train.

 
Closing date: 25th October at midday. Please submit your CV together with a two-page cover letter explaining your interest in the role, how your experience meets the main responsibilities, skills and qualifications listed in the job description and anything else you feel is relevant to hello@openmindsactive.org

Please provide 2 references, one of which must be your current or most recent employer. We will only take up references when an offer is made. We will be reviewing applications as they come in. We will not accept any more after the closing date.

Interviews will be held on November 5th