New Opportunity at CAN for a Social Business Analyst

An exciting opportunity has arisen at CAN, reporting to the Head of Social Investment, for a sharp, eager and ambitious individual looking to cut their teeth in a leading social venture intermediary. Investment experience is not essential but a can-do attitude; commitment and desire to create social good through good business sense are paramount.

CAN is a leading social venture intermediary providing space, capital and business support to social enterprises and charities.

Main purpose of the job:

• Measurement of the economic, social and environmental performance of consulting clients and Breakthrough candidates.
• To identify, analyse and support the performance of growing social enterprises.
• To manage relationships with social entrepreneurs and corporate partners.
• To contribute to CAN’s social investment capabilities and overall development.
  

Please contact Mayowa at m.agienoji@can-online.org.uk for the full Job Description or with your C.V. and a cover letter stating why you would like to work for CAN and are suitable for the role. The closing date for applications is Friday 22nd July.

Escaping to Social Enterprise- with On Purpose

On Thursday evening Tom, current associates Stephanie and Ann, and fellow Harriet spoke at an Escape the City event on social enterprise. We all shared how we 'escaped the city' then answered numerous questions about On Purpose and social enterprise. Check out the main take-aways from the event below (or in the embedded link), written by Rob from Escape the City.

Escaping to Social Enterprise- with On Purpose

A massive thank you to Tom Rippin, Stephanie, Ann and Harriet for a fantastic Q&A and talk at last night's 'How to pursue a career in social enterprise'.

Hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did. Here are 5 areas that struck us as being useful to think about if you're interested in transitioning into the social enterprise sector...

Any remaining questions / comments / connections you would like to make please just leave a comment below and we'll see if we can help you out.

1. Myths about Escaping from Corporates

There are a few myths / preconceptions that are hard to fight if you're considering leaving the corporate world:

• Will I find something as stimulation elsewhere? You can - not everywhere, but there are plenty of places and change itself can be stimulating!
• Will my skills apply to a new sector? Some will some won't but it's also a chance to learn new skills. Think carefully about how your existing skills can apply
• Will I work with as good and dynamic people as I currently do? Great people exist everywhere and if you search them out, you can find them. No one company has a monopoly on them!
• Should I stay for another 6 months to get that promotion/pay-rise/project finished? Before you know it, this turns into 6 years. Think instead of where you could be in 6 months' time in a new place

2. When is it time to move?

Write down your motives for why you took you current job. If you've already ticked those boxes and your motivation for being there is waning. Move. If you don't want your boss's job or their boss's job. Move.

3. Skill-set insecurities

You can apply your corporate experience to social enterprise sector: measuring impact, analysis, transferable skills. Don't feel that you are committed to your sector. The majority of your skills can be put to work in a social enterprise setting. Not to say you will need to learn new skills too - but that's half the excitement!

4. Leaving isn't as scary as you think.

There are a range of orgs that do social enterprise work... from v corporate ones (O2) to "classic" social enterprises to those on the charity end of the scale. Have a think about where on the scale you would most like to work. Narrowing it down will help you search and you will be more specific in your applications. Also think if you have a preference for how big or new an organisation is.

5. It's a broad sector. How to find what you're looking for?

There is so much information / advice / events out there. Start researching!

• Obviously On Purpose itself: http://www.onpurpose.uk.com/
• You can also find them: @onpurposeuk, www.facebook.com/onpurposeuk
• Robert Ashton - How to be a social entrepreneur.
• UnLtd - a charity which supports social entrepreneurs
• The Guardian Social Enterprise Network
• The RSA - lots of talks on social issues
• ClearlySo - hub for social enterprises / social businesses
• School for Social Entrepreneurs
• Social Enterprise London
• Social Enterprise Live
• Social Enterprise Coalition

Check out the Social Enterprise Coalition's 'Work in Social Enterprise' PDF by clicking here.

More about On Purpose...

• Application guidelines::

We're looking for high-achieving people with 2-5 years' work experience in any sector. You need to have great leadership, problem solving and communication skills and a lot of motivation and persistence.

You should also have a track record of social (enterprise) engagement, though we understand this may well not be in a professional capacity.

• See here for more detail:

http://www.onpurpose.uk.com/what-you-can-do/become-purpose-associate

To express your interest in applying (our online application site will be up soon), please email recruitment@onpurpose.uk.com

• Advice for applicants:

If in doubt, apply! And don't forget to tell us why you want to work in the social enterprise space

• Deadlines:

Application deadline will be at the end of August (exact date TBD).

Traineeships at A4E Ltd

A4E Ltd, a leading public service provider, is recruiting two Trainee Strategy & Policy Assistants to support the Director of Strategy & Policy in drafting think pieces and political analysis. The core of the role will be reading think tank reports, developing new ideas, and turning them into concise and powerful written work. As a traineeship, the role is designed to be developmental, giving you an excellent start in government, business or politics. You will receive comprehensive, daily coaching from the Director of Strategy & Policy and will be assigned a mentor from the senior leadership of the firm. There will be extensive opportunities for out of the office work, meeting many of the key figures in Westminster and Whitehall. From time to time, there may also be opportunities for secondment to think tanks, government or political parties on an ad hoc basis. A4E Ltd is looking for staff to start in late summer, though there may be some flexibility for the right candidate. The role is based in its Soho office in London, with some travel to its Sheffield Head Office.

For more details about the role, please click here. To apply, send a copy of your CV and a brief account of why you would like the role, quoting reference number MW201, to Careers@a4e.co.uk by 2pm on 10th July 2011.

New Opportunity for an Operations Manager at My Generation

My Generation, an organisation with a mission to strengthen disadvantaged communities in West London through the provision of individually targeted services, is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) that will be responsible for enhancing the internal organisation processes and infrastructure that will allow My Generation to continue to grow and fulfill its mission. Reporting to the Managing Director (MD) and with a direct staff of five, the COO will manage the following functions:

• Financial Management and Oversight
• Human Resources
• Operations, including risk management, legal activities, business insurance, IT, policy and planning, reporting and monitoring, measurement processes, office management, and Board of trustees support.

For more information visit http://www.mygeneration.org.uk/. The closing date for applications is Thursday 21 July. Please send CV and covering letter to beccamcgowan@mygeneration.org.uk.

Spice is recruiting for its new England team

Spice develops credit systems for engaging people and to create active, thriving community and public services. People gain time credits for giving their time; these credits can then be used to access help from others and to access local leisure, recreational activities and services provided by communities, local authorities and private businesses.

Spice is currently seeking to fill the first two posts of its new England team:

The Time Credits, Development Manager (Community) will work in conjunction with local community workers across the UK, who are building clusters of community services, to develop a 'Time Out' redemption menu. The successful applicant will work with these local workers to identify existing community resources, budgets and activities that can be made available to local people in recognition for their participation.

The Time Credits, Development Manager (Corporate) will work with local authorities and corporate partners to develop a 'Time Out' redemption menu that complements the community redemption opportunities provided by the local clusters. The successful candidate will work with local authorities to develop this offer with in-house services and through adapting commissioning agreements. The manager will also build partnerships with local and national private sector venue operators by inviting them to contribute.

For more information and to download a job pack, click here. The deadline for applications is noon on 15 July.

Tough Stuff recruiting again - this time an intern for carbon markets

Our placement host ToughStuff is looking to bring in graduate-level carbon juniors and interns for initial project work, possibly leading to full time employment.

ToughStuff is developing ambitious carbon programs in Africa and the Indian sub-continent, 26 countries in all, and are looking for numerate and articulate graduates to help. The role is based in the London office and will encompass full immersion into the Carbon Program being developed by ToughStuff. There will be exposure to many environmental, carbon-related issues as well as international finance, and there will also be significant exposure to important counterparties involved in the space.

The key requirements for the role are numerate and articulate graduates that have a keen ability to learn and can demonstrate high problem solving skills. Key skills would be the usual Microsoft Excel, Word and Powerpoint to a high level.

The position will initially be for a 1-2 month internship, with the potential for the role to become permanent.

You have to:
1. Be hard working.
2. Like steep learning curves.
3. Be bright and numerate, with good Microsoft skills.
4. Solve problems well and have an ability to get on with things.

For more information contact On Purpose at contact@onpurpose.uk.com.

ToughStuff is recruiting for a Madagascar-based role

ToughStuff is an award-winning social enterprise that designs and distributes solar products for sale in developing countries. Although its vision is socially motivated, its practice is enterprise focused, and it is backed by private investors and a government DFI. ToughStuff is at the forefront of a new generation of "triple-bottom-line" businesses that target social, environmental and economic benefits for its consumers, whilst seeking a return to shareholders.

ToughStuff is seeking a leader to provide overall business management of its Madagascar operation, with a specific emphasis on overseeing the sales channel performance. Initially on an interim basis starting in early July for 3 months, the role has the potential to extend. This might suit an entrepreneurial person with creativity, drive and willingness to take balanced risks. Candidates will probably have around 10 years professional experience with some experience of people management and in marketing, sales and building distribution. Experience of working in Africa is helpful. Fluent spoken and written Engish and good French is also required, as is early availability and a huge passion for the goals and objectives of ToughStuff.

For more details on the role and how to apply, please contact Roger Hattam: roger.hattam@toughstuffonline.com.

New opportunities at the Tony Blair Africa Governance Initiative

On the cusp of a big expansion, Tony Blair's Africa Governance Initiative (AGI) is recruiting in two areas.

First, they are looking for team members to join their Rwanda and Sierra Leone projects as Strategic Advisers. Successful candidates will work in the heart of the government on key issues such as affordable healthcare, electrification, raising agricultural productivity, and sustainable mining, as well as on cross-cutting issues such as ministerial performance contracts, accountability systems and strategic communications.

Second, AGI is looking for the next generation of Country Heads to manage their governance programmes in Rwanda, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, and to establish new projects in Africa. Country Heads are responsible for setting and achieving the capacity development programme agreed with each partner government, for the security and well-being of project teams, and for managing budgets. As part of this second recruitment drive AGI is also seeking a new Director of Strategy and Development to be part of its London-based leadership team. The Director will develop and drive forwards AGI's organisational strategy, take responsibility for doubling AGI's income to support its ambitious growth plans, and lead AGI's communications strategy.

For more details on all opportunities and for information on how to apply, please visit AGI's recruitment page.

Exciting opportunity for a Development Manager at Student Hubs

Student Hubs, a leading youth charity working to transform student social action, is seeking a Development Manager. The successful candidate will be proactive and entrepreneurial and will work to develop an integrated, long-term and sustainable range of revenue streams to fund the charity's fast growth. The role, based in Oxford or Cambridge, is full time for 6 months with the possibility of extension. For more details about the role, check out the job description here (see second opportunity down). The closing date for applications is 15 June 2011.

Another opportunity at JustGiving for a Small Charities Business Development Executive

JustGiving is seeking a self-starting Business Development Executive to join its small and mid-sized charities team. As JustGiving launches a host of innovative, brand new products this year, the successful candidate will be responsible for contacting charities, building relationships with key decision makers and driving adoption of these new fundraising solutions and payment methods. This is a full-time, fixed-term role- initially for 3 months with the possibility of it becoming full-time. It is an entry-level role with plenty of latitude for career development. For more information about the role contact JustGiving's People Team at http://www.blogger.com/jobs@justgiving.com, or to apply send your CV and covering letter describing why you think you are the right person for the role.

Clore Social Leadership Programme

Our Friends at the Clore Leadership Programme are looking for their next cohort of Fellows. To be eligible, applicants must be working in or closely with the wider social sector and will have demonstrated leadership potential in some of the work they have already undertaken.

Applications for the 2012 Fellowships will open on 18 April 2011. For more details about how to apply visit:www.cloresocialleadership.org.uk

Non-profit consulting opportunity

MBA & Company have an opportunity to help a charity develop its business plan to go national and take advantage of some changing legislation.

The work would take about a month, is paid and would include: 

• Researching target “clients” of the charity to understand their needs through interviews
• Developing new services
• Providing a marketing plan with strategic recommendations
• Aligning all recommendations to the overall charity business plan,  supporting the charity’s aim of expanding nationally

If you're interested, please email contact@onpurpose.uk.com