25 th January 2016
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for your interest in the position of Administrator at the Fawcett Society.
The Fawcett Society is the UK’s leading charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights.
We are proud to trace our origins back to 1866, when Millicent Garrett Fawcett began her lifetime’s work leading the successful parliamentary campaign for women’s votes. This year we are celebrating our 150 th anniversary. Our unrivalled history of 150 years of campaigning makes us the most authoritative, independent and high profile advocate of gender equality and women’s rights in the
UK.
We have over 3,000 members and a network of local groups that support Fawcett’s campaigns.
Many thousands more supporters follow Fawcett’s campaigns through our e-bulletins and through social media. These members and supporters are the heartbeat of Fawcett and over the next few years we want to both significantly swell our numbers and provide more ways for members to support our vital campaigns. In order to achieve our campaigning goals and in order to grow we need to be a well run organisation. The main purpose of the role is to run the busy Fawcett office, supporting the team.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is highly organised and an experienced administrator.
This pack contains more information about us and where this role fits in, the job description, a person specification and instructions on how to apply. Closing date is Friday 12th February at 5pm.
Interviews are scheduled for week beginning 22nd February 2016. We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Sam Smethers, Chief Executive
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Background Information
About us
Fawcett is the UK’s leading campaigning organisation for gender equality and women’s rights – at home, at work and in public life. Since our founder’s successful parliamentary campaign for the women’s vote we have continued to keep women’s rights on the political agenda and in the public eye.
We use compelling research and evidence to better understand key issues and generate reports, lobbying tools and media coverage that both increase awareness and put pressure on decisions makers to act.
We effect change by combining direct lobbying within the political system with campaigns that increase and demonstrate public support for action.
A lot of what we do involves working with our supporters, through online networks, local activities and more. This means campaigners around the country can get involved – and we can showcase the support our campaigns have. We also work with other leading thinkers to not just make the case for greater gender equality, but to develop new ideas on how to get there.
Our Vision
Our vision is for a society where the control you have over your life and the decisions you can make are no longer determined by your gender.
Our Beliefs

Every woman has a right to be treated with respect and dignity and be valued for who she is

Today’s political, economic and social structures were designed principally by and for men; women should have the power to redress this

Change that improves women’s lives today also creates a legacy for future generations, freeing both women and men from the limitations of traditional gender roles and expectations

The gender you are should not limit the life chances you have

Our economy will be more productive and as a society we will be stronger, healthier and happier when all people – women and men – enjoy full equality and respect.
Our Mission

We publish compelling research to educate, inform and lead the debate;

We bring together politicians, academics, grassroots activists and wider civil society to develop innovative, practical solutions
 we campaign with women and men to make change happen.
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Working at Fawcett
We are a small, friendly, diverse and enthusiastic team. We offer:

33 days annual leave each year inclusive of bank holidays, pro rata for part-time staff.

Flexible working by agreement with your line manager.

Childcare vouchers.

Occupational pension scheme.

The opportunity for you to make history and be part of creating a more equal society.
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Office Administrator, £23,000 FTE per year pro rata
Job description
Hours: 30 hours pw, can be worked flexibly over 4 or 5 days by agreement.
Reporting: This post will be line managed by the IT and Office Systems Developer.
Responsibilities: this post will be responsible for the efficient day-to-day running of the Fawcett office.
Purpose: to ensure that the Fawcett office and the Fawcett staff team have the administrative support they need to operate with maximum effectiveness.
Office

Provide admin support across the Fawcett team.

Ensure the office ‘how to’ guide is up to date and maintained.

Ensure the ThankQ database is fully used and procedures for recording data and contacts are being followed.

Work closely with the database team to maintain and improve processes

Manage member queries and send out new member packs.

Open the post and ensure all correspondence is appropriately logged and dealt with.

Take responsibility for the Fawcett email account responding to emails or logging them as appropriate.

Assist the Chief Executive with her diary.

Organise meetings or events and provide assistance at events as required.

Liaise with the landlord and deal with any premises or facilities matters.

Ensure office supplies are maintained.

Line-manage junior staff or volunteers as appropriate.
Human resources

Ensure personnel files are maintained and up to date.

Ensure the staff handbook is up to date.

Ensure office policies and procedures are understood by the rest of the team and followed.

Liaise with our HR services provider.
Finance

Upload invoices for processing and chase payment of any invoices outstanding.

Maintain financial systems and records.

Liaise with Fawcett’s financial services provider.

Ensure finance procedures are understood and followed by the rest of the team.

Update charity commission and companies house records.
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Shop

Liaise with suppliers and contractors.

Respond to queries from customers.

Ensure stock is maintained.

Process orders and despatching goods to agreed timescales.

Ensure financial procedures are followed for shop purchases.
Note this job description is not exhaustive. The post holder may be asked to carry out additional tasks as required.
Person specification
Essential
Experience

Experience of running a busy office.

Some finance experience with the ability to understand financial information.

Some HR record-keeping experience.

Experience of using alfresco, Xero or a similar finance package.
Abilities

The ability to multi-task and to prioritise, exercising judgement about tasks.

The ability to remain calm under pressure.

Highly organised and methodical approach.

Good attention to detail.

A good communicator with a good telephone manner.
Knowledge & skills

Strong IT skills and confident with a range of IT packages.

An understanding of gender equality and a demonstrable commitment to equal opportunities.
Desirable
Some previous line management experience or experience of managing volunteers.
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How to apply
Please note that we will only accept applications on the forms provided.
Please email your application form to recruitment@fawcettsociety.org.uk
by 5pm on Friday 12 th February
2016.
Or post to the address below, ensuring that your application reaches us by the deadline.
Recruitment
Fawcett Society
Unit 204 Linton House
164-180 Union Street
London SE1 0LH
Interviews will be held w/b 22nd February 2016.
We want to make sure that we are an equal opportunities employer in practice, which is why we monitor our recruitment procedures. We therefore ask you to complete the separate online equal opportunities form – either completely, or just those sections you are happy to complete. Responses are anonymous and automatically submitted.
To keep our costs down we regretfully do not contact unsuccessful applicants at the first stage – so if you have not heard back from us by Friday 19 th February please consider that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful, with thanks for your interest in Fawcett.
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Application form
Post applied for:
Please complete all sections of this application form and return a copy to Fawcett’s offices by post or email by 5pm on Friday 12 th February . Please state clearly which post you are applying for. We will only accept applications completed on this form.
Personal Details
Initial
Contact address
Surname
Mobile Telephone (work) Telephone (home)
E-mail
Additional Details
If you are not a national of the EU or EEA, do you have a work permit for the UK
Yes No
How did you hear about this job?
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CURRENT AND RECENT EMPLOYMENT
Dates Name and address of employer
Position held and brief details of responsibilities, including salary
Reason for leaving
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EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Dates Name and address of school/college/university
Qualification gained
Training received from: Dates Course title or qualification
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SKILLS, ABILITIES & EXPERIENCE
Please read the attached job description carefully and address each of the essential points in the person specification, stating why your knowledge, skills and experience match what we are looking for. The information provided in this section will determine whether of not you are invited for an interview.
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Referees
Please give the name of two referees including at least one recent employer. Please indicate your relationship to the referee (e.g. ‘Referee was my line manager’)
Name
Job title
Organisation
Address
Tel:
E-mail
Relationship
May we contact this referee if you are shortlisted?
Yes No
Name
Job title
Organisation
Address
Tel:
E-mail
Relationship
May we contact this referee if you are shortlisted?
Yes No
Declaration
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In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 I give my consent for the information contained in this form to be processed in accordance with the Fawcett’s policy for the purposes of recruitment and employment. I understand that if appointed, this application form will become part of my personal file and that if I am shortlisted but not appointed it will be stored for up to one year then destroyed.
I declare that the information contained in this form is true and accurate. I understand that false information may lead to any offer of employment being withdrawn, action under the
Fawcett’s Disciplinary Policy of my employment being terminated without notice. For those returning this form via email please type your name below. A signed declaration will be taken if you are appointed.
Signature Date
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