Job Description - Youth Programme Officer Bristol- Maternity Cover
Salary: £22,000 pro rata
Hours : 21 hours a week (occasional evening and weekend work, possible national travel)
Term : to 31 st March 2014
Leave: 25 days + 8 Bank Holidays pro rata
Office base: St Paul’s Learning Centre Bristol
Reporting to: Youth Programme Lead
1.0 Purpose
The overall objective of this post is to work with young people from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities including female genital mutilation (FGM) and Child and Forced
Marriage (C&FM) affected communities, with the ultimate aim of changing attitudes and behaviour in respect of gender based violence (GBV) including FGM and C&FM and contribute towards improved sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing.
To protect the rights of young women affected by and at risk of FGM by increasing the voice of young people at the community level to advocate against FGM in Bristol.
The role is one of four in the UK that are part of the FORWARD Creating an Enabling
Environment for Change (CEEC); the other cities are Rochdale in Greater Manchester,
Birmingham and London. The programme is jointly funded as part of the Special Initiative on FGM (Phase 2) by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Trust for London and Rosa Fund. NHS
Bristol provided additional funding for the project officer’s position.
2.0 Approach
The approach of the Youth Programme is informed by our commitment to empower communities and project partners to end GBV. We work with a community development approach and support the participative and experiential learning of young people through our work.
3.0 Responsibilities
3.1 To provide a safe space and platform for young people to gain knowledge on rights education, gender issues, sexuality and sexual and reproductive health and gender based violence, in particular FGM
 To continue and develop the Youth Group – Empowering - focused on girls’ rights,
FGM and sexual and reproductive health
 To regularly communicate and involve the current young women as well as recruit 5 more young people from 12 years of age, and their parents as appropriate, to the
Youth Group
 To train and support 10 young people from the Youth Group as Youth Advocates with support and resources from FORWARD in reaching out and informing peers about girls’ rights, FGM and sexual and reproductive health
 To maintain a regular promotion of the Youth Group and recruitment of participants

 To design a programme of creative and arts-based activities in partnership with the
Youth Group
 To work in partnership with the Bristol Communities Project Coordinator to support the engagement of girls and young women
3.2
To support coordination of youth-led networking, intergenerational dialogue and creative advocacy and public education campaigns
 To support the Youth Group and Youth Advocates to participate in Bristol-wide campaigning in collaboration with Bristol Communities Project Coordinator, i.e.
International Zero Tolerance (February 2014)
 To develop projects and events with the Youth Group that encourages intergenerational dialogue and youth-led networking
3.3 To engage young people and those working with young people to advocate against
FGM
 To develop the ‘FGM Game’ as a youth friendly resource engaging young people and those working with them on the issue of FGM.
 To support the delivery of FGM awareness sessions to young people in a variety of settings
 To deliver workshops and facilitate training to young people in schools, colleges and young people’s organisations
 To support the organisation of training sessions and skills building workshops on various forms of GBV including FGM and sexual health, campaigning and advocacy and leadership and confidence building
3.4
To support young people affected by FGM to access specialist services
 To signpost and refer young women for guidance and information on FGM and specialist services
3.5 To support the coordination of youth work on FGM nationally
 To participate in the annual FORWARD Youth Forum with other national partners to share experience, best practice and learning
 To participate and support any joint National events, projects or activities
 To support of the FORWARD National Youth Blog-site
3.6
To monitor, evaluate and share learning on the impact of the Bristol FGM Community
Development Programme
 To undertake monitoring and evaluation of all aspects of the Programme including outreach, consultations, conferences and training
 To support and feed into the regular reporting for FGM Special Initiative (Phase 2) as required by the funders
3.7
To support the programme planning and financial management of the Youth
Programme with support from the Youth Programme Lead and Head of UK Programmes

 Write short articles and reports where necessary to share information on the youth programme activities including progress briefs for funders when directed.
 To support programme planning
 To support the effective monitoring and evaluation of the youth programme
3.8 To undertake any other duties as and when required by the Youth Programme Officer,
Youth Programme Lead, Head of UK Programmes and Executive Director.
 Including representing the FORWARD Youth Programme at events and networks as directed.
 To participate in occasional staff meetings, UK Programme team meetings, Youth
Programme Meetings and Staff training
 To participate in any events or activities organised by the funders as and when required and suitable.
The above job description reflects the position at the time of writing; it is not intended to be a task list but indicated the general level of work involved. It is expected that duties will be reviewed and revised as required.
4.0 Person Specification
Experience – Essential
 At least six months experience of working with BME young people preferably FGM affected communities.
 Experience of working with BME communities, particularly FGM affected communities, on issues relating to sexual health, human rights, gender based violence and FGM.
 Experience of delivering successful events and projects for and with young people and communities.
 Experience of effective working in a team.
 Experience of working with social media and resources.
 Experience of leadership, strong decision making ability and initiative to solve problems.
 Experience in facilitating or delivering workshops, sessions or presentations to young people, particularly BME young people or those from FGM affected communities.
 Experience of working in school settings.
 Experience of working and/or liaising with statutory – including social services and professionals concerned with child protection.
 Experience in project development, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
Abilities and Skills – Essential
 Ability to engage youth and challenge gender based violence including FGM and
C&FM.
 Ability to advocate on behalf of excluded groups.
 Ability to develop partnerships with voluntary sector organisations and statutory sector organisations

 Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; particularly in communicating effectively and sensitively with BME, FGM affected communities.
 Excellent presentation and delivery skills particularly on sensitive issues to young people.
 Competent IT skills for daily use; including social media awareness.
 Excellent organisational skills
 Competent time management skills and ability to work independently effectively.
 Ability to develop new and innovative ideas and seize opportunities to advance the work of the organisation.
 Ability to work during weekends and some evenings.
Knowledge - Essential
 An understanding of the role of youth in the campaign against GBV including FGM and C&FM.
 A good understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights including FGM and C&FM.
 A general understanding of the context and needs of young people from BME communities.
 A good understanding of issues relating to sexual health, human rights, genderbased violence and FGM.
 A good understanding of child protection procedures and support pathways – particularly those relating to FGM.
 Personal Qualities – Essential
 Committed to the values and vision of FORWARD in respect of the campaign against FGM and C&FM as well as the campaign to secure the human and sexual rights of African woman and girls.
 Commitment to diversity and equality in working relationships and practice.
 Passion for advocating for the rights and dignity of women and girls.
 Empathy for BME women and communities, particularly FGM affected communities.
To Apply
Please send a CV and short cover letter to Saria@forwarduk.org.uk by Wednesday 25 th
September 2013.
Please clearly state “Youth Programme Officer-Bristol” in the subject line.