Partnership Development Co-ordinator at The Advocacy People

Job Purpose
To act as the key operational link between The Advocacy People and partner organisations in the delivery of Sussex Advocacy for Adults and ensure high-quality advocacy provision for people in Brighton & Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex.
To lead and ensure the effective management and delivery of volunteer and student related advocacy provision ensuring a mutually beneficial experience.

Accountabilities
Partnership management and development
• Be the primary contact between The Advocacy People and each Sussex Advocacy for Adults delivery partner.
• Organise and chair quarterly partnership meetings.
• Work closely with The Advocacy People’s Contact Centre to ensure referrals are accurately processed and inappropriate referrals are effectively signposted.
• Work with Sussex Advocacy for Adults delivery partners, commissioners, colleagues and other stakeholders to explore and develop models of community advocacy to widen the reach of the service.

Performance monitoring and reporting
• Monitor and report on progress against contractual requirements, quality standards and key performance indicators (KPIs) across the contract.
• Liaise with each partner organisation to review referrals, caseloads, case closures, staffing capacity, KPI and outcomes monitoring, and client feedback, including complaints.
• Conduct formal quarterly monitoring meetings with each partner.
• Address any quality and performance concerns with partner organisations and ensure action is taken to remedy.
• Use The Advocacy People’s database to extract data, compile service statistics, and collate narrative reports including case studies, compliments, complaints, safeguarding incidents, and health & safety issues.
• Contribute to reporting, including to the commissioner, and have opportunities to meet with commissioners.
• Work closely with the Regional Manager to ensure they and the Head of Operations are fully sighted on areas of good practice, areas for development and emerging issues, themes and trends.

Building relationships
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with local advocacy providers, community organisations, statutory bodies and other key stakeholders.
• Represent The Advocacy People at external meetings, networks and events.
• Support awareness-raising and promotional activities for Sussex Advocacy for Adults, ensuring all publicity materials are accurate and up to date.

Volunteer and student liaison and support
• Recruit a diverse pool of volunteers across a range of roles within the geographical area.
• Ensure long-term retention of volunteers through effective onboarding, engagement and recognition programs within Sussex.
• Liaise with local universities and co-ordinate student placements.
• Line manage students, ensuring they have a meaningful and productive experience whilst on placement.

Cross-organisational working
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues, including Contracts & Partnerships Manager, Quality & Compliance Manager, others in similar roles and the Business Development Team, to deliver organisational priorities.
• Undertake Level 2 safeguarding accredited training and be a part of the safeguarding out of hours rota.
• Responsibility for one area of work, such as running a focus group, peer supervision, leading T&F groups/projects and training/implementation of policy and procedure such as safe working practices.
• Contribute to, and at times lead on, meetings, planning and projects/task & finish groups.
• Escalate issues and contribute to ensuring systems are in place to a) gather and capture meaningful quantitative and qualitative data and b) facilitate reporting and quality checking of what we do.

You should be self-motivated, resilient, and committed to upholding principles of empowerment, equality and safeguarding. A good understanding of advocacy frameworks, safeguarding practices, and local networks (particularly in Sussex) will be beneficial. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital platforms is expected, along with the flexibility to travel and occasionally work evenings or weekends. A valid driving licence and access to a vehicle are also required.