Project Coordinator

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of young people, have experience of project coordination/management or working on violence reduction initiatives, and able to work collaboratively with partner organisations?

At the heart and soul of London since 1895 West Ham United is a dynamic, fan-focused football Club constantly moving forward but always with an eye on the past.

Our home at the London Stadium has a capacity of 62,500 making it one of the biggest club Stadia in the country however our tickets are the lowest priced for London based clubs in the Premier League, echoing objectives to create Affordable Family Football.

In 2018, our Women's team gained a professional status for the very first time, jumping 2 divisions and competed in the Women's Super League (WSL), the premier division of women's football in England. After finishing a respectable 7th, the team enjoyed particular success in the FA Cup reaching the final of the competition, eventually being beaten by 2017 winners Manchester City.

In April 2019, we opened our brand-new Academy facility based at Chadwell Heath which will help to bring through some of the very best talents in the area, the recent emergence of First Team Players Declan Rice and Ben Johnson are a testament to the work already being done at the Academy.

On the business side, we are continuing to create a Stadium our supporters can call home, with the renaming of the Billy Bonds Stand and Claret and Blue pitch surrounding amongst the latest developments. Additionally, the Club has achieved the Disability Confident Leader status.

The Club employees a constantly growing workforce of approximately 300 core staff and 500 Foundation and events staff, and is a truly unique place to work. We welcome talented individuals who will thrive in our ambitious organisation.

In October 2023, West Ham United was awarded the Advanced level of the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard, recognising the Club’s ongoing dedication and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). It is the second time West Ham United has received the award, which is the top accolade that can be achieved by Premier League clubs, having first been presented with the Advanced level in 2020.

Project Coordinator - Violence Reduction

Job Purpose

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of young people, have experience of project coordination/management or working on violence reduction initiatives, and able to work collaboratively with partner organisations?

The Project Coordinator: Violence Reduction will act as the day-to-day contact for a brand new innovative crime reduction initiative that focuses on a range of holistic interventions for young people and communities. The project utilises a hyper-local, needs-led approach to address the root causes of violent crime at a neighbourhood level. Delivery will take place within the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham ultilising a model that recognises the importance of collaboration to support violence reduction initiatives.

The project will be delivered by a consortium of partners (WHUF acting as lead) who have a proven track record in violence reduction and affecting positive change through a person centred and whole family approach. Outcomes of this project will be achieved through the delivery of key activity strands, including strengthening local partnerships, youth and community participation, capacity building of the grassroots sector, and the delivery of locally informed interventions.

This role will work collaboratively across partners and a provide a key link with statutory bodies, voluntary organisations, and the community. The Project Coordinator will ensure the integration of provision, oversee cross-referrals, broker multiagency partnerships and support partners with project deliverables where necessary. The Project Coordinator will contribute to project management/steering group meetings and represent WHUF and the consortium at relevant meetings.

The Project Coordinator will be supported by WHUF colleagues and consortium partners on all aspects of programme delivery.This role offers a unique opportunity to coordinate youth focused interventions and to work collaboratively with partner organisations to collectively achieve positive outcomes for young people and families affected by violence.

Key Responsibilities

· Act as the day-to-day contact for the project and work collaboratively with partner organisations to support crime reduction initiatives for young people.

· Help maintain an environment of trust and collaboration so that statutory service providers, and other stakeholders engage positively with WHUF and the consortium.

· Manage, report on, monitor and evaluate the progress of interventions.

· Identify and leverage the skills, expertise and assets of existing local institutions and stakeholders.

· Work with key stakeholders - statutory services, educational institutions, community organisations and networks - to design and implement best practice youth activities to create a holistic support offer for young people.

· Coordinate monitoring and evaluation processes across consortium partners ensuring accurate records and reporting.

· Advocate for the needs and rights of young people ensuring they have access to opportunities that facilitate their personal growth.

· Contribute to processes that capture the youth voice across all levels of the project.

· Work collaboratively with WHUF central support staff to ensure the project is run safely and effectively and meet both funder and organisational KPIs.

· Contribute to the delivery of services to young people.

Other responsibilities

· To understand and adhere to Foundation policies and procedures with particular reference to safeguarding, codes of conduct, health and safety, and equality, diversity and inclusion, to ensure all activities are accessible.

· Design and implement interventions for young people that effectively support those affected by violence.

· Assess and coordinate referrals of young people into the programme, ensuring individual risk assessment and development plans are in place where required.

· Work collaboratively with internal & external stakeholders to support referrals into the programme and onward progression pathways.

· To support colleagues to ensure that programme contractual KPIs and targets are met.

· Ensure that accurate monitoring data and returns are produced to meet internal and external standards and deadlines.

· To contribute to finance budgets and monitoring returns as required.

· To demonstrate commitment to the process of feedback and evaluation of the project, embedding systems and procedures to measure performance to demonstrate and ensure continuous improvement of delivery.

· To network with key stakeholders and supporters to maintain relationships and support, including reporting & feedback to funders.

· To complete all Risk Assessment procedures and protocols in line with Foundation policies.

· To record project data and targets via online system, for example, maintain accurate attendance and registers plus monitor and assess participants progress and achievements.

· To collate project data from across consortium and delivery partners.

· Work to actively promote the consortium and WHUF’s activities working in-line with relevant guidelines and policies.

· To undertake professional development by participating in staff development (CPD) and training activities.

· To support or lead other duties as requested by the line manager/organisation

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications, Experience

· A minimum level 5 JNC recognised Youth and Community Work qualification or equivalent/experience within a relative sector, e.g. crime reduction initiatives.

· Experience of delivering a placed-based project, with a focus on violence reduction among young people.

· Delivering, planning and evaluating youth work/mentoring.

· Experience of working with young people and communities affected by crime/violence.

· Experience of using systems to monitor and report on participation and impact.

Skills & Abilities

· Understanding of risks and challenges of engaging with young people and communities affected by violence or on the periphery of crime.

· Ability to develop and manage relationships with a range of stakeholders, from young people through to heads of service.

· Effective project management skills from implementation through to completion.

· Understanding of the issues and barriers impacting young people and the communities within the Barking & Dagenham, particularly within the Northbury Ward area.

· An applied understanding of safeguarding and health and safety in a community/youth setting.

· Good communication and interpersonal skills both internally and externally, which are culturally competent.

· Understanding of how to use data to inform delivery and measure impact.

· Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and work within multiple deadlines.

· Motivated and enthusiastic about our work.

· Works collaboratively with others and prepared to work flexibility outside office hours on occasion.

· A commitment to supporting young people and affecting positive change.

· Adhere to the principles of equality diversity and Inclusion.

· Self-motivated and the ability to work on own initiative.

· Proven planning and organisation skills.

· IT literate with particular emphasis on Microsoft and Salesforce packages.

Values & Behaviours

• Integrity – being transparent, responsible, and trustworthy. Behaving in an honest and ethical manner, serving the community to the best of our ability.
• Inclusive - recognising and respecting everyone’s value. Providing an accessible and welcoming environment.
• Continuously improve - striving for excellence driving development through learning. Maximising opportunities to fulfil potential and be prepared to take risks.
• Collaboration - working together internally and externally. Recognising the benefits of a multi-organisational approach to our community and workforce.
• Inspiring - creating a culture where people prosper. Providing a safe and enjoyable environment supporting goals and aspirations.

EDI Statement

Our club's history is rooted in a solid commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we openly strive to be leaders in promoting EDI values. West Ham United is tactical in its approach to addressing inequity and prioritising the undertaking of meaningful and lasting change for all.

We prioritise removing barriers to attracting and engaging the best talent from all communities. We are proactive in creating equal access to opportunities and benefits for everyone and a discrimination-free environment where everyone experiences being treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background, circumstances, or protected characteristics.

Safeguarding

At our Club and Foundation, we advocate a proactive approach to ensure every child and adult has the right to experience safety and be treated with care, respect, and dignity. Therefore, we prioritise protection from harm and promote safeguarding good practice and compliance as an integral part of all our operations and engagement. This includes conducting robust, safer recruitment checks to identify any potential risks associated with individuals who may pose a threat to children or adults who are at risk of harm.

Staff must follow the Club’s Safeguarding reporting procedures to report without delay allegations of abuse, poor practice, or anything else that is or may impact the welfare of a child, young person, or adult at risk. After contacting and taking guidance from the Safeguarding Team, staff must use the Club’s Child Protection Online Management System (CPOMS) to record the concern within 24 hours unless directed otherwise.