Changemakers - Future Leaders Young Advocate Opportunity
Mosaic and Changemakers have teamed up to to recruit young people between 18-25 years old looking for a challenge... our Future Leaders programme is seeking Young Advocates who would enjoy working in organisations that value a young person's ideas and opinions.
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Do you want to help us create a world where young people are listened to?
Do you want to have a job where you can make a real difference and no one will think you're too young or you haven't got the right experience?
Fancy a job where your employer is as interested in your personal development as they are in the work you do?
Purpose of the Job:
Lots of organisations around the country care what young people think of them and want to involve them in all aspects of what they do. At Changemakers, we believe the most effective way for an organisation to listen to and involve young people is to employ a Young Advocate (you!) for 6 months and support them to advocate Youth Participation within their organisation. This means that you will decide with the organisation what your work will look like and then you complete a project to help the organisation improve its practice and policy regarding young people.
How will it work?
You will receive training from Changemakers on what you can expect and what you will need to do as a Young Advocate; the training will mean you meet the other Young Advocates around the country too. You will then meet your Changemakers Champion who works for your Host Organisation, together with the support of your dedicated Changemakers Facilitator you will all work out what needs and can be done over the six months. Once you have planned your project and you know what you are doing you will then crack on - there will be regular meetings and support, networking and of course a final celebration event when it's all completed!
What have previous Young Advocates said?
"Changemakers gave me the opportunity to make my mark, and do something that's accounted for. It's so rewarding to know that my time spent has been a benefit to others as well as to myself" Alysha Ong, Young Advocate, ROSPA
"My highlight on the Future Leaders Programme was the opportunity to meet likeminded and passionate young individuals, who are dedicated to making a difference, whether its in a local community or on a larger scale" Tanya D'souza, Young Advocate, READ
"My highlight on the Future Leaders Programme was proving to myself that I am better that I thought I was, and watching my success with a big smile on my face" Ahmed Yusuf, Young Advocate, Barnet
How much time will it take?
The project will last for six months and the standard model is that you will be paid for ten days work over this time. Your payment will be £50 a day plus reasonable expenses, you will be self employed but Changemakers will explain exactly what this means and support you with this. You might get the opportunity to do more days work with your Host Organisation but you can talk to them about this once you have been appointed. You would be expected to keep in touch in between these days and to attend events and training which you wouldn't be paid for. You should view this as a personal development opportunity as well as a paid job and you will hopefully make some great contacts and friends for life too.
Anything else I should be aware of?
You will need to feel comfortable travelling and staying overnight in places all over the UK. It will be helpful if you are good at planning and managing your own time, as well as working independently using your own initiative. We will provide you with support and training to fulfil your role as a Changemakers Young Advocate but it would be fantastic if you already have experience in working with, consulting with and involving other young people in your work. Being a Young Advocate will sometimes mean you face challenging situations and we are looking for people who can deal with these challenges as well as celebrating the successes (and there will be lots of successes!)
So what next?
Have a look at the person specification and fill in the application form on the right of the mentoring page. This needs to be returned to Jonathan Freeman, National Operations Director at Mosaic, by Friday 29th May 2009. Interviews will be held in early June at Business in the Community, 137 Shephredess Walk, London, N1 7RQ and someone will be in touch to tell you exactly what time you'll need to be there. There will be some questions to answer on the day and also a chance to have an informal chat and for you to ask questions about the role and the Host Organisation.
If you are successful then you will have to attend training on the 9th and 10th June so please put this date in your diary. If you are unable to attend the residential you will not be able to take up this opportunity this time. However do not forget there will be lots of opportunities in the future to become a Young Advocate so if you are not successful this time stay in touch with Changemakers and we will let you know when more opportunities come up.
If you are successful then Changemakers will issue you with a contract and let you know key dates between now and December 2009.
For further information / questions
Please contact Changemakers or Mosaic:-
Jonathan Freeman, National Operations Director, Mosaic
Jonathan.freeman@bitc.org.uk 020 7566 8765
Sophie Aston, Programme Manager - Future Leaders, Changemakers
sophie@changemakers.org.uk 020 7702 1546