We're hiring an Organiser!

** This position has been filled as of January 2018. Keep an eye out on our blog for other opportunities in the future **

Are you passionate about making the housing system in London fairer? Want to be part of a project that organises renters across the city and wins?

With the fight for our decent, secure, affordable housing more urgent than ever, the London Renters Union is looking for a part-time organiser who can play a pivotal role in the development of our first branch in Newham and our organising efforts across London. The organiser will work alongside other members of the project to build the deep relationships and motivated groups of people that will be at the heart of the London Renters Union.

The ideal applicant will have strong community organising and social justice skills and experience and an understanding of housing in London, unions, and how transformational change happens. You will need to be organised and able to work independently. The role is a good opportunity for someone looking for flexible work alongside a motivated community of activists and volunteers.

The London Renters Union is a London-wide project to build a mass, member-led union that organises and builds solidarity between private renters across London in all their diversity, is financially and administratively independent from government, and has the power to win the change we need. For more information about the London Renters Union, please visit londonrentersunion.org. Deadline for applications is 3pm on December 10 2017.

Terms and conditions

The post is offered on a self-employed basis for 12 months with possibility of extension or permanent appointment (subject to funding).
This is a fixed term contract which shall last for 12 months from the date of commencement of your contract with the Renters Power Project, the alliance of organisations that is establishing the London Renters Union. We hope that the selected candidate will start on 8 January 2018 or as soon as possible after that date.
The post is part-time recommending 22.5 hours p/w (3 days pro rata) and based in London. The rate of pay is £100/day or £13.30/hr.
The suggested ordinary working hours will be no more than 22.5 hours per week. Due to the nature of the role, the Organiser will be expected to work a significant proportion of their weekly hours during evenings and weekends. The successful candidate will will be required to send a weekly, written report to the steering group about their activities and will be expected to attend all Steering Group meetings, all relevant meetings of our pilot Newham branch and some key working group and meetings. The Organiser will be eligible to take Time Off In Lieu for any excess hours worked.
The successful candidate will be entitled to the equivalent of 5 weeks a year paid holiday (pro-rata – 15 days) plus bank holidays.
We will cover reasonable work-related expenses including travel to meetings.
The Organiser will need to be based in London, precise location to be negotiated. We may be able to support working from home. The job will entail a significant amount of travel and meetings in Newham.
The Organiser is ultimately accountable to the London Renters Union Steering Group, which is made up of representatives of several organisations working on housing including: Take Back the City, People’s Empowerment Alliance for Custom House (PEACH), Generation Rent, Radical Housing Network, Digs (Hackney Renters)

How to apply

To apply please send a CV and a covering letter that have been written with reference to the job description and person specification below. You should demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the person specification and describe your motivations for applying for the role and what you could bring to it.

You should send your application to renterspowerproject@gmail.com by no later than 3pm on December 10 2017.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to have an interview with us on December 19. We aim to make a decision that week. We hope that the selected candidate will start on 8 January 2018 or as soon as possible after that date.

The application process is being managed by members of the interim steering group. If you have any questions about the role please email renterspowerproject@gmail.com.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Building strong, deep relationships with relevant groups and organisations in Newham.
Working in conjunction with other members of the project to build up a strong core membership base for the Newham branch of the London Renters Union. This will involve developing and implementing creative ways of reaching out to a wide range of people and turning interest into participation.
As required and directed by the steering group, supporting the development of our branches and organising outside of Newham.
Identifying opportunities for and coordinating collective action on the housing issues that are important to our members.
Supporting and helping to develop members to take on leadership roles within the union.
Meeting other relevant people and building productive relationships with them. This may include journalists, Councillors, council officers, researchers, religious leaders and other influential people within the community.
Working alongside other members of the project to organise and run engaging meetings, workshops, trainings and strategy discussions.
Promoting and following our values, and organising activities which foster good relationships.
Managing work and time independently without daily direct line management.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Skills and attributes

Essential

Committed to the concept of a London Renters Union and passionate for social justice and about building the power of private renters to win better housing conditions.
Understanding of community organising as a method for bringing about change.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate with people on the doorstep and in a range of other settings with a wide range of stakeholders. Able to communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing) and work with a wide range of stakeholders [e.g. renters, activists, community groups, disadvantaged groups, funders, media & decision makers].
Ability to inspire and motivate people to participate and take action.
Good working knowledge of the housing crisis in London and its impacts.
Ability to conduct honest and constructive working relationships and a commitment to operating with integrity.
Self-motivation and direction and an ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks and re-organise workloads to incorporate urgent deadlines and work responsibly in an unstructured environment.

Desirable

Knowledge of the London Borough of Newham and its political landscape.
Excellent knowledge of the housing crisis in London.
Strong facilitation skills.
Understanding of different approaches to mobilising and organising.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential:

Successful track record of social justice or community work (paid or voluntary).
Experience of working as part of a team and of building, fostering and supporting teams of people.