Project Co-ordinator

Do you want a varied and challenging job where you make a positive impact on people and the planet? Do you have the skills and enthusiasm to help communities create green spaces in urban places?

Background to the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our small, dynamic and growing social enterprise, based in Manchester. The successful applicant will be responsible for co-ordinating and delivering a busy programme of horticultural training and community development work, helping design and create new green spaces, and sharing their knowledge and passion for the environment and urban agriculture.

About us

• Sow the City is a Manchester-based non-profit social enterprise, founded in 2009 with a few packets of seeds and some compost to help communities create greener cities and connect with nature.
• We partner with grassroots groups, community gardens, businesses and organisations and are creating a movement of people and organisations that care about nature in cities.
• We transform derelict and unused land into thriving community greenspace, tackling inequality, and delivering programs that enrich learning, and promote wellbeing. 
• Our portfolio spans a wide range of projects including food growing spaces, allotment and wildlife gardens, biophilic design, health gardens, nature restoration, green roofs, and health and sensory gardens. Find out more here. 
• Since we were founded, we have provided courses/ workshops for 14,000 people, facilitated over 7,000 volunteering hours, and transformed almost 7,000 m2 of unused and derelict land into useful community greenspace and green infrastructure.
• Our office is based at our community centre the Boiler House (www.boilerhouse.org) in Moss Side near central Manchester. You will work delivering community projects and workshops across Greater Manchester.

Specific responsibilities

• Co-ordinate the delivery of Sow the City projects including working with stakeholders to ensure that work complies with the conditions of funding and meets the needs of the community.
• Plan and prepare session plans and teach horticultural and nature-themed workshops including tailoring courses to differing abilities and backgrounds.
• Undertake site visits and develop designs for urban green spaces.
• Manage volunteers and run volunteering days to support our community projects (e.g. community gardens).
• Manage and organise a diverse workload with multiple clients and locations to meet project deadlines.
• Work closely with partner organisations including Local Authorities, Housing Associations, NHS and the voluntary sector to increase their involvement and improve awareness of Sow the City projects and their benefits.
• Contribute to identifying and securing funding opportunities.
• Work closely with other members of the Sow the City team and help with other projects and tasks as required which are commensurate with the grade of the job.
• Undertake informal and formal training as agreed. 

Key responsibilities – all staff

• To follow our Sow the City policies and procedures.
• To undergo appropriate checks including an enhanced DBS check.
• The post holder will be subject to performance objectives agreed every 6 months.

Other details

• 5% employer pension.
• 30 days holiday per year (including bank holidays).
• 35-hour working week (however we will consider a part time position or job share opportunity).
• Sick-pay is 4-weeks full-pay, 4-weeks half-pay followed by statutory sick pay (subject to satisfactory probation period).
• Competitive paternity and maternity leave packages.
• The role will require the successful candidate to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends. We provide a TOIL system including compensation for any occasional ‘anti-social’ hours worked. 

The duties of this post may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or level of responsibility entailed. 

Equal opportunities 

Sow the City strives to be an equal opportunities employer and celebrates diversity. We welcome applications from people looking to return to work and may not have continuous employment history. 

HOW TO APPLY 

For an informal chat about the post, please contact Emily Corner, Sow the City on 0161 465 6954 or email emily@sowthecity.org. 

Application is by CV and application form explaining how you fit the job description and person specification. All application documents can be downloaded here. Submit your CV, application form and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form by email to emily@sowthecity.org. 

The deadline for applications is 5pm on the 26th March 2024. Interviews take place on 3rd, 4th and 5th April.