Recruitment of Social Enterprise Role Models

Purpose of the request

The Wales Co-operative Centre has recently secured funding from the Wales European Funding Office and Welsh Assembly Government to provide support to the social enterprise sector in West Wales and the Valleys. This is a five year project worth £7.1 million and has two key strands. The first strand is to raise awareness of the sector and the contribution it makes to social and economic regeneration (through marketing, networking and research). The second strand is to enable new and existing social enterprises to grow and develop (through the provision of organisational development).

As part of the Social Enterprise Support project the Centre is looking to establish a database of individuals who could act as role models and spokespeople for the sector.

These individuals would be expected to have established or led a social enterprise and should be passionate about the ability of social enterprises and co-operatives to address social issues and make a positive contribution to the communities in which they operate.

Purpose of the Role

The role has been designed to help raise the profile of social enterprises and generate awareness of the positive impact that social enterprises can have on communities and on the economy. The role model will potentially need to engage with a range of stakeholders including:
• The general public
• Organisations such as Local Authorities, Registered Social Landlords, Local Health Boards, Communities First Partnerships
• Schools and colleges
• The media
• Decision makers.
The role has also been created to provide support and inspiration to those in new and emerging social enterprise, allowing them to learn from the experiences of successful social entrepreneurs.

Duties of the role models

Role models will be aware of the challenges which face new and emerging social enterprises and will be willing to draw on their own experiences in order to help others. Role models may be asked to undertake a range of duties including:
• Speaking at master classes, training workshops, conferences or networking events organised by the Wales Co-operative Centre
• Delivering presentations to school and college students
• Acting as a spokesperson for the sector in press and media interviews
• Attending client meetings in order to share expertise and experience

Qualities, skills and experience required

• An ability to communicate the benefits of social enterprises/ co-operatives and engage with a range of stakeholders. Strong verbal communication skills are essential in this role.
• An excellent understanding of the challenges faced by new and emerging social enterprises.
• A commitment to the social enterprise/ co-operative sector and a belief in the sector’s ability to address many social and economic problems in Wales.
• Experience of establishing or leading a social enterprise/co-operative including:
o Managing staff/ volunteers
o Securing contracts and generating income from trading activity
o Involving the local community
o Working in partnership with other organisations
o Growing a social enterprise and moving towards sustainability
o Identifying new opportunities for growth

Geographical Areas

The Wales Co-operative Centre is eager to recruit role models across the convergence area of North Wales. This includes the eligible Convergence counties in north Wales of Ynys Mon, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire .
  

Budgets

Role models will be paid an hourly fee of £70 for contact time. This fee is inclusive of all other costs, including travel.

Application Process

To indicate your interest please complete the short application form, indicating which geographic area you would be prepared to cover e.g. county/ counties

Completed applications should be emailed to Maureen.russell@walescoop.com  

 

Criteria for Selection

The main criteria on which the selection will be based are:
• Ability to meet requirements – as evidenced by completion of the application form demonstrating the experience, skills and qualities required to undertake this role.
 

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