ABOUT THE CHARITY
ACT (or Aldates Community Transformation Initiatives) is a welcoming community that includes many with lived experience of prison, street homelessness or addiction. Through street and prison outreach, community meals, mentoring and housing, we help people rebuild their lives after some of life’s toughest experiences.
Everything we do is designed to help people find belonging, purpose and hope. That looks different for each person. But most of our activities are rooted in relationship – whether that’s bacon butty breakfasts, small group sessions, back-to-work projects or our annual holiday.
ACT is a registered charity with the board of trustees drawn from within the church, including the Rector. Occasionally we invite other trustees with specific expertise. ACT has a total income of around £400,000 per annum, five salaried staff, and over 100 volunteers from within the church. Staff are employed by St Aldates PCC and seconded to the ACT Charity with the Head of Charity line managed by the St Aldates COO.
ST ALDATES and ACT CHARITY
ACT has a strong connection with St Aldates Church which supports the ministry with people, practical support and use of office and gathering spaces. The Head of Charity is key to leading the outreach work of St Aldates.
As a city centre church, working alongside people who are poor or marginalised is a key part of St Aldates’ ministry and is carried out largely through ACT.
We are excited about what God is doing in our midst. We are seeing people come to faith in Jesus on a weekly basis, and we are pioneering new ways of discipling people to make a difference in every area of their lives. We are passionate about connecting with and supporting people who are street homeless and those in or leaving local prisons through our ACT ministry.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
Crucial to the success of ACT is the Head of Charity, who provides leadership and vision, ensures that its activities are underpinned by prayer, and that this work remains central to the ministry of St Aldates.
As the Head of Charity, you will drive the charity's mission and vision alongside the Board, ensuring our community receives the best possible support.
You will have a heart for those who have been marginalised, and experience of running a business or charity. Your role will be to lead staff and volunteers in the vision and manage funds and key projects. Partnering with others across other charities, key stakeholders and donors you will become a strong ambassador for the charity.
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITES:
Strategic Development
• Work with ACT community members, staff, volunteers and trustees to formulate ACT’s mission and strategic plan, ensuring this is underpinned by prayer and effective implementation.
• Oversee the effectiveness and sustainability of ACT’s work. Develop measures for, and effectively evaluate, the performance and impact of the organisation, to ensure that the needs of ACT community members are met.
• Identify opportunities and risks, including changes in the external operating environment, ensuring that strategies are developed to maximise opportunities and minimise threats.
• Seek to develop holistically the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of all ACT community members.
• Demonstrate and grow a culture of prayer and intercession, ensuring that this is the foundation of all ACT activities.
• Develop and implement other new programmes and activities as appropriate, in line with ACT’s strategy.
Governance
• In accordance with ACT’s strategy, prepare the vision, projects and annual budget in consultation with the Chair, Treasurer and St Aldates COO and actively manage its delivery.
• Work closely with Trustees to ensure effective governance of the charity including compliance with all audit, legal and statutory reporting requirements.
• Working with the St Aldates Finance Manager, ensure appropriate and regular management accounting information is provided to the Trustees.
• Ensure all policies are up to date and there are systems and processes in place to implement and monitor compliance.
• Co-ordinate preparation, independent examination and approval of the Annual Report and Accounts, working closely with the St Aldates Finance Manager, ACT Treasurer and ACT Trustees.
Staff Development and Management
• Line manage and pastorally support ACT’s staff to manage, and where appropriate grow, their programmes.
• Delegate tasks, roles and responsibilities effectively to staff and volunteers, ensuring ACT has the right people in the right roles. Foster a team culture and collegiate ways of working, ensuring professional supervision, safeguarding and appropriate spiritual support.
• Ensure that training needs are identified to support staff development, and that volunteers are trained where necessary.
• Actively manage ACT community members in crisis, taking the lead and making decisions in the most difficult situations (e.g. eviction), pastoring the team and reflecting on practice.
Communications and Fundraising
• Be the focal point for social justice initiatives in St Aldates, providing teaching on the theology and practice of social justice in services and small group settings.
• Ensure that ACT’s vision, mission and activities are effectively communicated within St Aldates, helping the church to engage with issues of social justice, and demonstrating the love of God and the dignity he accords to all made in his image.
• Ensure that funders and supporters receive regular contact and information updates from ACT.
• Identify opportunities to apply for grants, submit grant applications, develop and maintain relationships with current and prospective funders as necessary.
Partnerships and stakeholders
• Create and maintain strong relationships with statutory and voluntary agencies across the city including churches, Police, City council, probation and others in the charitable sector. Co-ordinating activities across Oxford and sharing resources where appropriate. • Create and maintain strong relationships in the local community, with local government, prison staff and chaplaincies, and other organisations as necessary to further the ACT’s operations and impact.