City Head Organiser

ACORN is looking for a City Head Organiser to build power to fight for social and economic change in Bradford, to start work on Monday 21st June.

ACORN is a mass membership organisation: a vehicle for collective action. By taking action on issues, we build the hopes, expectations and experience of our members and the communities they come from. 

Our organising is premised on two simple truths: problems affecting working class communities—from unhealthy, unaffordable and insecure housing, to cuts to public services—stem from a lack of power, and; the most effective means of building power is for people to get organised. 

We know that there are no shortcuts to building an effective, powerful organisation of everyday people, which is why we hire organisers to knock on doors, day in, day out, whatever the weather, to proactively seek out community members to bring together to make positive change in our cities, towns and neighbourhoods. If you are up for putting in the real leg work to build strong, diverse, resilient communities, door by door, street by street, then this might be the job for you!

About the job

As an organiser with ACORN, you will be responsible for recruiting, supporting and working with members to take action on issues affecting them and the communities they come from. 

ACORN is a union in the community. Like any union our members pay membership dues so that they can have a sustainable independent organisation to fight for their interests.

As a City Head Organiser for ACORN in Bradford, your daily work will involve: 

  • Recruiting individual ACORN members through door knocking, social media and other means,
  • Supporting Field Organisers’ organising drives to build new and maintain existing ACORN Branches, Groups, and teams,
  • Identifying issues of common concern at the city and, in cases, regional level, in order to coordinate local groups into larger campaigns,
  • Improving the functionality of the city’s Branches and Groups to align with core objectives,
  • Identifying and supporting potential leaders to enable them to take on leadership roles in the organisation,
  • Supporting elected leaders to enable them to carry out their roles, and,
  • Line-managing field organising staff in the city and coordinating work plans

*ACORN is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.*

Want to attend an ‘introduction to working as an organiser’ Zoom video call with ACORN organising staff to find out more about the role before you apply? Register your interest here.

Qualifications

No formal qualifications are necessary. We’re primarily looking for someone with a strong work ethic with good listening skills and the ability to motivate others. 

Experience, skills and abilities

The successful applicant will have:

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • The ability to recruit dues-paying members to ACORN
  • The ability to support the development of groups and teams
  • The ability to motivate people
  • The ability to work independently and manage a team of staff and volunteers
  • The ability to proactively connect issues, people, and organisational goals in order to develop an aspirational and inspiring strategy, as well as to respond reactively where required
  • The ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment and be detail-oriented
  • The ability to hold constructive conversations with managed staff or volunteers, sometimes on challenging subjects, e.g. regarding instructions or disciplinary matters
  • A willingness to work sometimes long and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends (37.5 hours per week, generally between the hours of 1000 and 2000)
  • A willingness and enthusiasm for knocking on doors and talking to strangers year-round
  • A commitment to the future growth and development of ACORN

For more specific information on the role and its requirements, please refer to the job description, person specification, and selection criteria linked below.

In turn, ACORN is committed to investing in the continued professional development of our organising staff. Training and support will include:

  • First week: ACORN Foundations of Community Organising training (5 days)
  • First 3 months: Weekly 1:1 management supervision; daily recruitment practice with fellow organising staff; weekly group team call; on-call daily management support.  
  • After 3 months: bi-weekly 1:1 management supervision; daily recruitment practice with fellow organising staff; weekly group team call; on-call daily management support. 
  • Ongoing continuing professional development opportunities where identified.

To apply

  1. Make a copy and complete the full Application Form, referring to the sections marked ‘A’ in the Job Description, Person Specification & Selection Criteria. You may simultaneously apply for the role of Bradford Field Organiser (see elsewhere on this page) with this single application. Please note, if you would also like your application to be considered for the role of Bradford Field Organiser, please indicate this on your application form
  2. Save your completed application form as a PDF with the file name <YOUR NAME, role> e.g. JANE SMITH Bradford CHO.pdf
  3. Submit via email to workforacorn@acorntheunion.org.uk with ‘Application: Bradford CHO.' in the subject heading
  4. Once you have submitted your application please complete this diversity monitoring form

If you require paper versions of this application form & diversity monitoring form please write to info@acorntheunion.org.uk.

Interviews

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an assessment day, involving an interview and two tasks. Currently due to the Government’s social distancing advice we are conducting assessments over Zoom video call. This may be subject to change if the Government’s guidelines change.

Assessment date Wednesday 26th May. 

Job description and person specification

Application form

Closing date: 17th May 2021 12:00am
Hours: 37.5
Salary: £19,000
Salary Frequency: Per annum
Further details available at: https://acorntheunion.org.uk/work_for_acorn
This job is connected with: ACORN The Union