Project Manager

PROJECT MANAGER - Charity project

Management of all communications and financial support to the programme of development research, creation, collation, archiving and showcasing of memories and stories of exile and displacement of refugees and sanctuary seekers to Kent and London 2005-2023. 

PROGRAMME MANAGER (COMMUNICATIONS & FINANCE)

Salary/Fee: Total remuneration p.a.: £25,000 pro rata a part time (7.5 hours per week),  Subject to successful funding application (pending)

Period of Engagement:  Dec 2024- Dec 2025

Location: Works in Kent, and from home. The postholder will require flexibility to attend meetings and work from alternative locations as required.

Reporting to: Programme Director, Luminescent CIC

Role:  Management of all communications and financial support to the programme of development research, creation, collation, archiving and showcasing of memories and stories of exile and displacement of refugees and sanctuary seekers to Kent and London 2005-2023. 

Background:  Luminescent CIC  is a partnership committed to the empowerment of those who are dispossessed, whether internally displaced or exiles and sanctuary seekers, past and present, to enable them to explore their experiences through the lens of creative arts and history. The company enables, collects, and makes visible the lost and erased voices of those communities, who do not normally have opportunity to participate in such activities, bearing witness to their journeys from conflict, trauma, and exile to human dignity and hope as living legacies of memories, images, and heritage. It also enables the growth of talent for young people through this work, undertaking education programmes connected with it. The company’s activities provide benefit to and empower participating communities - especially those in UK regional areas and young people - to explore this art and its cultural opportunities, learning new skills as they participate and tell their stories. Governed by a Board of Trustees, the CIC  is funded through a mixture of grant-aid, donations, and volunteer contributions in cash and in kind.

Luminescent has formed a unique collaboration with six partners – Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Kent Refugee Action Network, Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network, Morley College, London, Woodpecker Court Education Facility, and LB Hackney to record, collate, conserve the memories, stories, and oral history of refugees and sanctuary seekers to Kent and London 2005- 2023 and those of the local communities who embraced them.

It will enable recollection of their history and its contribution to UK heritage and culture, telling their stories/ experiences as a legacy of memories, stories, images. The work will be showcased in exhibitions, events and performances at Morley College and in London, and will be featured on-line and on Morley Radio.

Responsible for: Communications and financial  management and administration coordination, including evaluation across the entire programme 

• Ensure effective delivery of communications of the Lost Voices programme through agreed management information and digital communications systems

• Ensure accurate and ongoing financial management, proactively solving problems and delivering related activities

• Oversee programme communication requirements –ensuring operations are properly established

• Organise and deliver events & associated programmes working closely with the Programme Director and partners

• Support the work of other staff and subcontractors 

• Advise on future programme management and assist the Programme Director as required in developing funding applications 

• Coordination of regular Steering Group and project team meetings and ensuring accurate record keeping

Skills and aptitudes  

Essential 

• Knowledge of managing and archiving heritage assets.

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.

• Demonstrably proactive, creative and able to balance multiple deadlines in a demanding role and excellent organisation skills. 

• Diplomatic and experienced in dealing with confidential/sensitive issues. 

• Public engagement experience.

• Experience of engaging with vulnerable groups in a community project. 

• Experience of and ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of diverse internal and external stakeholders, influencing and negotiating change. Networks internally to keep ahead of developments

• Uses analyses, reports, and data to test the validity of options and assess risk before taking informed decisions. Ensures optimum decisions are taken.

• Undergraduate degree desirable or professional qualification in organisational management /or administration.  Significant experience in a similar role is desirable. 

• Ability to use Microsoft Office with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.  Knowledge of financial management packages, eg Sage, Xero or MYOB packages is an advantage.

• Understanding of the creation of virtual methods of engagement with the public

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, problem solving and critical thinking skills 

• Able to work effectively under pressure, observe deadlines and work successfully independently, and as part of a team.

• Experience managing similar medium scale projects.

Desirable 

• Ability to lead aspects of teamwork, seeking, and implementing improvements to the team’s outputs/service and developing colleagues within the team. Challenges colleagues.

• Knowledge of oral history methodologies and skills in digital media, including understanding of issues and practices relating to the collection of oral histories.

• Knowledge of heritage asset collection, interpretation techniques for public consumption. 

• Experience of volunteer recruitment, coordination and retention in Higher Education or charity/community settings.

• Experience of partnership working in the not-for-profit sector.

• Adaptable with good teamwork and collaboration skills

• Experience of securing heritage, cultural and educational funding

Other relevant matters:

The nature of the project means that flexibility is required in hours of working. The Programme Manager will be expected to be willing to work as necessary outside normal office hours. The post will be appointed following advertisement and a written application. The appointment process will observe equal opportunities legislation.