We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all, and is free from discrimination and bias.
The Pod [part of Coventry City Council, Adult Social Care, Mental Health] aims to build individual, organisational and/or societal capacity for creativity, innovation, compassion and social/eco-activism, and each arm of The Pod’s work asserts the importance of cultivating authentic connection with the city, its creatives, eco-activists, entrepreneurs, academics, change makers, quiet activists and the underheard. We believe that recovery and regeneration are intertwined. We are keen to create conditions in which everyone has a voice and can thrive – the city is its people.
In 2014 to forge a more radical and regenerative connection with the city we launched our social activism program Time Union, and its sister program Food Union. Time Union is a citywide timebank, members share their time, passions, interests, knowledge, and skills on an hour-to-hour basis – share an hour with one member and get an hour back from another. Through Time Union we evidence the benefits of a more creative sustainable and rooted approach to community activism and get to connect with people that are ready to invest in the City’s social fabric.
“Time Union shows how local councils can back community timebanking without unduly imposing their outcomes or expectations on it. It feels a lot more like a piece of enabling social infrastructure, rather than a 'public sector intervention' into the lives of citizens and communities.”
-Paul Slatter - Director, time bank researcher, Chamberlain Forum
Our ValuesIn line with our One Coventry Values we strive to have a workforce that reflects our local communities and welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic backgrounds, applicants who have a disability and applicants who are from the LGBTQ+ community to apply for our senior leadership roles.
Our Values are:
Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.
What is the job role?To promote Time Union time bank in a way that sustains interest and mobilises exchanges across the existing membership and inspires and energises new membership from people who live in or have an association with the City of Coventry.
To co-ordinate and oversee day to day administrative and operational tasks and the membership data base to ensure we maximise the number of exchanges across the membership and build the capacity of Time Union members to take an increasing level of responsibility.
To work alongside The Pod manager to secure investment/engagement from key players in the City to include Partnership for Coventry, Health and Wellbeing Boards, Coventry University and University of Warwick.
To collaborate and connect with community organisations, activists, council teams and student unions and societies, to promote the benefits of getting involved and to vision/co-devise opportunities for entrepreneurial or satellite ventures that capacity build and create common ground.
Who are we looking for?We are looking to appoint someone that is passionate about the City, who has experience of being an active member of a Time Bank, a social movement, a Trade Union, or an allied people driven campaign for example a student’s union.
You will be working alongside Time Union members, the wider team, activists and associates of The Pod, all who are committed to effecting positive change in the City. You need to be adaptive and skilled at creatively engaging and collaborating with a range of stakeholders, including council teams, student unions, colleagues in health, the universities, and at working in a variety of settings, for example, conferences, community centres, sports clubs, via the radio, at events.
You need to be able to effectively position Time Union and present a compelling argument that resonates with people, whoever they are, and draws on both national research, and the experience of members to strengthen and grow our membership, maximise exchanges, increase the breadth of skills members offer, and secure investment. You need to be able to work with members to develop meaningful ways to measure the efficacy and agency of Time Union and celebrate its impact.
Discussions are warmly welcomed. Please get in touch with Christine Eade christine.eade@coventry.gov.uk to arrange.
If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.
For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'
Interview date: 17th June 2024.
About CoventryCoventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.
We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.
At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.
To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.
If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies
