STRIDE/STAY ASSISTANT

Latin Links Stride Programme offers tailor-made placements for individuals, couples and families from 6-24 months. Our Stay programme offers longer-term individual, couple or family placements, usually over 2 years.

Objective
The Stride/Stay Assistant, under the direction of the Stride and Stay Coordinators, will play a full part in the effective running, organisation and development of Latin Links Stride and Stay programmes. You will often be the initial contact for enquirers and applicants. In addition to undertaking a range of administrative functions (liaising with applicants, processing applications, organising training conferences), you will be involved in selecting candidates and preparing individual volunteers as they go to serve overseas.

Main responsibilities
The role will be split between Latin Links Stride and Stay programmes. Responding to general enquiries and sending out appropriate information relating to applications, including requesting references. Involvement in the selection of Stride candidates, including the presentation of relevant material on Stride days, interviewing and helping with the final decisions. Administration of selection days, orientation courses and other events. Assist in the debriefing of Striders. Assisting with administration associated with the period between selection and departure sending out information packs, processing DBS checks, booking medicals, organising insurance, coordinating visa applications, booking flights. Assisting in the administration of the finances of Stride and Stay members, including raising cheques and processing income in communication with the Finance department. Checking and updating information on the travel and leave dates of Stay members. Administration related to leave for Stay members sending out leave packs, booking medicals, organising office visits. Offering administrative support to the Link Group (for retired and former members) and the Link Action Group sending out requests for information for spring newsletter, sending out a Christmas letter, organising reunions, taking minutes at committee meetings. Ensuring that filing is kept up to date and information is stored in an appropriate way, including the inputting of data onto the database where it is associated with Stride and Stay members. Attending events, conferences and meetings from time to time as requested, to promote Stride and Stay programmes and the work of Latin Link in general. (This will sometimes be at weekends or out of office hours). Administration of Stride and Stay members prayer letters.

General Expectations of Staff

Act as a committed member of the Latin Link staff and seek to further the work of the fellowship in every way possible. To actively engage in continuing personal development: learning through participation in professional development opportunities as well as from experience and feedback.

Person Specification
This position has a genuine occupational requirement for the post holder to be a Christian. Accordingly, you will be an active Christian in full sympathy with Latin Links Statement of Faith and Mission Statement, able to work comfortably in an interdenominational environment. tel. 0118 957 7121 | email. HR@latinlink.org.uk| latinlink.org.uk
Latin Link is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England 2811525. Registered Office: 87 London Street, Reading, RG1 4QA. Registered charity 1020826.

SSA Job Des January 2013

You will be a highly approachable, friendly and outgoing individual with excellent relational skills, able to develop and maintain supportive relationships with Stride and Stay members. You will have excellent communication skills as you correspond and relate to a broad range of people at a variety of levels. You will be a proficient organiser with the ability to administer all enquires and applications for the Stride programme. You will be involved in supporting the accepted volunteers before, during and after their time abroad - currently there are around 30-35 people joining this programme each year. In addition you will offer administrative support to Latin Link Stay members. You will be well organised, with good time management skills and with the capacity to cope with a range of administrative tasks at the same time. You will have an eye for detail and a desire to identify ways to strengthen the support of our Stride and Stay members by improving the processes and resources. You will be able to demonstrate good use of initiative with a willingness to be flexible and have confidence to turn your hand to new things. Ideally you will have experience of living abroad or already worked in the organisation of supporting people overseas.

Work Skills and Experience

Essential Excellent interpersonal skills; able to relate well to people (groups and individuals), and enjoy encouraging them. Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as a good listener. Highly organised, with the ability to take initiative and to effectively prioritise to meet deadlines. Proficient in Microsoft Windows and MS Office (including recent versions of Word, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint and Excel software) and the web. Trustworthy, diplomatic and able to keep confidentiality. Ability to work effectively as a member of a team. Passionate about world mission with the ability to demonstrate some understanding of issues relating to living and working cross culturally. Desirable Experience of living or working in another country (ideally within Latin America) Knowledge of Spanish/Portuguese Experience of interviewing Experience of organising events Responsible to: Stride Coordinator and Stay Coordinator. Responsible for: Volunteer Stride candidates This position is part of the People Resources team based in the Britain and Ireland Office in Reading. The appointees main line manager will be the Stride Coordinator. Latin Link tries to ensure that all staff have opportunities for development and the learning of new skills relevant to their work.

Terms and Conditions

The appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period after which there is a two calendar months written notice period for both parties. This is a full time role with an annual salary of between 16,995-20,600 (depending on experience). All salaries are reviewed on an annual basis with any increase from 1st April. The working week is 35 hours. Latin Link operates a Flexi-Time and Time Off In Lieu policy for excess evening and weekend working. Latin Link offers a pension scheme and an interest-free loan for the purchase of a season travel ticket (where appropriate). Further details of all of these schemes are available from the HR Manager. tel. 0118 957 7121 | email. HR@latinlink.org.uk| latinlink.org.uk
Latin Link is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England 2811525. Registered Office: 87 London Street, Reading, RG1 4QA. Registered charity 1020826.

SSA Job Des January 2013