We have an exciting opportunity for an appropriately experienced individual to help us to take our well established Community Café to a new level of service provision within the town of Stranraer.

The successful applicant will help the Board develop its 5 year business plan for growth and service development which includes the opening new premises in early 2022.

Reporting to the Fed-up Café Board, the initial appointment will be for 12 Months on a Fixed Term Contract, working 21 hours per week (plus scope for additional hours) at a pay grade of £27,000 pro-rata. The Board would be keen to extend this contract by mutual agreement on completion of an annual review.

There would be complete flexibility on working hours and home working from any location. Consultancy/Freelance would also be considered.

This post is primarily strategic in nature and will focus on business planning, funding and building strong relationship with partner organisations. There is no day-to-day responsibility for the operational management of the Fed-up Café.

Key outputs

• To work along with staff, service users, key partner organisations and the Trustees to formulate a leading-edge vision for the Fed-up Cafe, setting out key objectives and milestones for service development to ensure there is broad consensus and a clear understanding of its role within the community of Wigtownshire;
• Research good and innovative practices across the UK & beyond;
• Develop a fundable 5 year business plan that clearly meets the current and future vision and requirements of the Fed-up café;
• Building on our current funding support, make applications to fund the business plan and new service provision, ideally attracting medium to long term funding to ensure future viability and self-sustainability;
• Prepare a monthly financial report in conjunction with the Fed up Café’s accountant;
• Prepare a progress report and attend at least one monthly meeting (virtual and occasionally in person) with the Trustees

Essential Knowledge

• The Third Sector Funding regime and proven experience of submitting successful funding applications e.g. lottery, Scottish Government & local authorities etc;
• Strategic planning and writing fundable business plans;
• Liaison with Funders and key partner organisations, producing financial Returns and progress reports as necessary;
• Community learning & development
• Working with Boards/Trustees on projects with Charitable status

Person Specification

• Understanding of the Third Sector and the requirement to provide essential services to meet the needs of communities;
• Strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to foster effective relationships with a range of organisations, key partners and funders;
• Excellent communications skills, written and verbal including presentations and public speaking;
• Leadership skills and ability to work on own initiative with limited supervision;
• Experience of hosting workshops or similar as a means to establishing a vision, purpose for the community café as well establishing its positioning with agencies and the community;
• Proven experience of writing and submitting successful funding applications (examples should be given in the application);
• Flexible and a ‘can do’ attitude;
• Budget management and cash flow projections;
• Energetic and enthusiastic;
• Commitment to the values of a Community Café;
• Undertake occasional other appropriate duties to support the smooth running of the Café (not operational).

This post will be subject to a successful PVG check.