Learning & Participation Freelance Consultant
Steamship Shieldhall, The Solent Steam Packet Limited
&
Steam Tug Challenge, Dunkirk Little Ships Restoration Trust
Appointment Brief
Job title:
Learning & Participation Consultant (3 year freelance contract
working as self employed)
Timescale:
October 2013 - September 2016
Project fee:
In the region of £45,000
1. General background
The Solent Steam Packet Limited (TSSP) and Dunkirk Little Ships Restoration Trust (DLSRT)
are thriving voluntary organisations operating two of the UK’s most important historic ships,
the Steamship Shieldhall (TSSP) and Steam Tug Challenge (DLSRT).
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Shieldhall – is the country’s last and largest operational, passenger carrying
steamship. Built in Glasgow in 1955 she is 80m in length and capable of carrying up
to 200 passengers at a time. Shieldhall’s home port is Southampton.
Challenge – is the last steam tug to have worked on the Thames, until she was laid
up on 1971. She was built in 1931 and took part in Operation Dynamo in 1940,
evacuating troops from Dunkirk. Challenge is berthed adjacent to Shieldhall in
Southampton.
TSSP and DLSRT have been successful in securing separate Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)
awards towards conserving both ships for the future and developing enhanced, shared
learning programmes that will encompass: a range of new formal and informal learning and
engagement opportunities for visitors of all ages and backgrounds; developing new displays,
interpretation and activities for the visiting public, educational establishments and youth
organisations; improving volunteer infrastructure; expanding the volunteer workforce;
working with partners to improve connections for mutual benefit.
Although Southampton is the home port for both ships, the mobile nature of the vessels is
an important feature, which requires a well thought out and tailored approach to
developing audiences, learning, volunteering and other opportunities for participation.
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TSSP and DLSRT are seeking an experienced and imaginative freelance Learning &
Participation Consultant to take responsibility for developing and leading formal and
informal learning activities for both vessels, along with associated resources and materials.
You will help to grow the offer to families, youth organisations and educational
establishments and develop the policies, frameworks and structures required to underpin
education and participation activities for both organisations.
The consultant will also be responsible for developing volunteering infrastructure, looking
after the existing volunteers, recruiting new volunteers, and organising volunteer training
and development opportunities. You will also build the capacity and confidence of both
organisations in interacting with visitors, delivering talks and educational activities and in
undertaking evaluation, to ensure post-project sustainability.
You will be part of the larger project teams who will be working to conserve the vessels, and
who will work with you to develop and deliver public engagement and interpretation.
Alongside the advisors and existing volunteers, you will have the opportunity to be part of
two experienced and passionate teams working to deliver exciting and complimentary
projects to rejuvenate and re-present these important historic ships. The Challenge
restoration works are complete in whilst the Shieldhall conservation works commence in
September 2013. For further information on the vessels see www.ss-Shieldhall.co.uk and
www.stChallenge.org
2. Delivery of work programme
It is estimated that the job will require an estimated 60-70 days per year between October
2013 to September 2016. This will be approximately 1 – 1.5 days per week though the
nature of the organisations means that there will be more intensive work required at certain
points of the year. Work with DLSRT will be focused in the first two years of activity, whilst
work with TSSP will span all three years. The DLSRT work may expand into a third year
subject to securing funding.
You will be expected to manage your time appropriately to deliver the work, be flexible in
your approach and responsive to the needs of the volunteers and project partners.
A great deal of research has already been done to identify key audiences and outline
programmes of activity, with budgets, have been agreed with HLF (a copy of the TSSP and
DLSRT Activity Plans, are available on request). The Learning and Participation Consultant is
expected to help plan, manage and deliver the Activity Plans with volunteer support as
appropriate. The Shieldhall contribution to the consultant’s fee is equivalent to 60% of the
overall budget and it is therefore anticipated that the allocation of consultancy time will
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broadly reflect this breakdown. The range of activities proposed within the ShieldhalI
activity plan reflects this greater proportion of spend.
3. Working with partners
TSSP and DLSRT will be working closely together and a key outcome of the projects is a
strengthened, mutually beneficial relationship between the two organisations. The Learning
and Participation Consultant will therefore work to maximise the potential for joint learning
and participation activities across the two vessels.
In addition, we anticipate that the consultant will work closely with other organisations,
including Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology (HWTMA), the Nuffield
Theatre, other historic vessels and heritage organisations and educational establishments to
develop and deliver activities.
4. Project management, reporting and location
For work on Shieldhall the Consultant will be managed by, and report to, TSSP’s Secretary,
James Robson, who in turn reports to the Executive Committee. The Challenge set up is
similar but on a smaller scale with the lead contact being chairmen, Jerry Lewis.
The post holder will be expected to formally report on progress on a quarterly basis and to
attend regular project meetings for both ships. The work will largely be planned and
delivered on board Shieldhall and Challenge. Activities will also be delivered in other ports
when the vessels (particularly Challenge) are touring to other locations. There may also be
times when you are asked to deliver activities in other locations and a degree of home
working is assumed although there will, ultimately, be a shared office available alongside
Shieldhall.
5. Responsibilities and person specification
Main responsibilities
1. Participation and volunteer development
 Support the development of infrastructure to support volunteers, including a new
volunteer strategy, volunteer handbook, induction programme, communications
plan and management processes;
 Work with the Volunteer Coordinator (a voluntary role), the heads of work
departments and other volunteers to identify gaps in volunteer skills and undertake
a training needs review for existing and new volunteers;
 Establish processes for the recruitment, induction and training of new volunteers
including developing links with FE and technical colleges for volunteer apprentices;
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Develop a programme to enable volunteers to pass on skills and experience to
others to ensure that traditional skills are perpetuated;
Provide training for volunteers in delivery of activities to enhance the visitor
experience including formal and informal learning activities, live interpretation of
the ship, commentary and activities for family audiences;
Liaise with other local heritage organisations to put in place agreements and
processes for sharing volunteers to maximise mutual benefits;
Establish contact with local societies and volunteer bureaus and similar to recruit
new volunteers of all ages.
2. Learning and engagement activities
 Work with TSSP and DLSRT to continue the development of organisational policies,
framework and structure for formal and informal learning and engagement
activities;
 Develop and deliver a programme of formal and informal learning opportunities to
take place on board, both during sailings and as part of a static visitor offer;
 Work with TSSP and DLSRT to develop new static visitor offers for when the vessels
are berthed, including open days, guided tours, participation in national events such
as Open House Weekend;
 Develop a range of practical hands-on resources and activities for schools and
families, to be used independently or with the guidance of volunteers;
 Develop contacts with education providers in the Southampton catchment area and
other ports to engage them with the opportunities presented by Shieldhall and
Challenge as learning resources;
 Provide training for volunteers in delivering learning activities, and using education
and learning resources;
 Assist in devising and delivering training programmes for all volunteers to include
training in visitor welcome, interpretation and delivering talks;
 Establish and lead monitoring and evaluation activities to measure the effectiveness
of the learning and participation activities;
 Work effectively in partnership with the lead partners and with HWTMA, Nuffield
Theatre and others to maximise mutual benefits;
 Work with the Project Teams to ensure TSSP and DLSRT comply with the terms and
requirements of the HLF grant including delivering stated outcomes, record keeping,
and a brief quarterly progress report.
 Work with the Marketing leads from both organisations to ensure opportunities for
participation and learning are maximised.
 ShieldhallI only: Support the Interpretation Designer and client project team in
developing revised on board and quayside interpretation.
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Skills, Knowledge and Experience
1. Knowledge
 Understanding of the recruitment, management and development of volunteers
 Understanding of the requirements of different audiences in relation to education
activities, both formal and informal
 Some knowledge of or interest in maritime history and a willingness to learn more
 Knowledge of programming, promoting, running and evaluating activities and
events
 Understanding of the needs of visitors, especially families and young people
2. Experience
 Experience of recruiting, training and motivating volunteers and/or managing groups
 Experience of working with community groups or as part of wider partnership
projects
 Work with children, families and schools, including in settings outside the
school classroom
 Work with volunteers in a heritage context
 Devising, creating and delivering formal and informal educational activities and
resources for audiences of different ages and backgrounds
 Training and enabling others, such as volunteers, in particular to facilitate learning
and interpretation
 Experience of working in a heritage setting or visitor attraction
 Monitoring and evaluation of learning and participation activities
3. Skills
 Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with a diverse range of visitors and
colleagues
 Confident with managing groups of children and adults
 Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
 Good organising skills
 Self starter and proven ability to work on your own and as part of a team
The Learning and Participation Consultant will sometimes be required to work at weekends
and to be available for evening meetings.
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6. How to Apply and Interview Dates
Tenders should cover the following:
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A short project methodology explaining the approach that would be adopted to
undertaking this work
A current CV with short supporting statement detailing your skills, knowledge and
experience specifically relating to the responsibilities and requirements as set out in this
brief. Up to two supporting case studies would be encouraged (max 500 words).
Full contact details of two referees related to previous relevant experience.
A completed Form of Tender.
Please email your tender to: joannawatson.cp@gmail.com
In addition, two hard copies should be posted to:
Joanna Watson
Flat 3
22 Rockmount Road
London SE19 3ST
All tenders must be received by 5pm on Monday 7 October 2013.
Any questions should be directed by email to joannawatson.cp@gmail.com in the first
instance.
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 16 October. Consultants are asked to note the date of
interview and make necessary arrangements to keep this date free. Alternative dates are
unlikely to be available.
Please ensure you include current email and phone contact details on your application.
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