About BSWN and the role
Black South West Network (BSWN) is a Black-led racial justice organisation based in Bristol,
working across the South West of England. Our mission is to dismantle the systemic forms of
racial inequality that have historically shaped this region, while constructing alternative frameworks
for equity, belonging, and collective flourishing.
Our work spans policy and access to justice, research and knowledge production, and enterprise
development, sector infrastructure, and cultural heritage. Our Community Building function
supports Black and Minoritised grassroots community groups and organisations to have better
access to information and support, greater involvement in shaping local services, to create positive
changes in their communities, to achieve their full potential and to become sustainable for the
future.
This role is a significant part of the Community Building team by connecting and delivering core
capacity building, facilitating connections, and devising sustainability-building support for
community groups and organisations across the Southwest region.
Key Responsibilities
This role will develop and implement practical support, offering support for fundraising and ways to
build capacity that strengthens the effectiveness, resourcing and collaborations of Black and
Minoritised VCSE organisations in the South West by:
- Delivering fundraising and capacity building support to Black and Racially Minoritised VCSE organisations, and supporting a team of Community Organisers, Fundraising Lead and Development Workers working in different parts of the region.
- Working with VCSE organisations (charities, CIOs/CICs, and unincorporated groups) to undertake a diagnostic assessment and devise a plan that supports their strategy, theory of change, good governance and facilitates progress from their stage of development – whether it be seeking incorporation, growth or sustainability.3. Convening VCSE organisations by hosting networking events, peer learning circles and working with the Community Builder to provide access to sharing knowledge, skills, and learning.
- Facilitating links with a diverse range of institutional stakeholders, including local authorities, NHS, Public Health, and the Police, to ensure they meet the needs of local Black and Minoritised communities.
- Working closely with the Fundraising Lead by drafting fundraising applications and engaging with funders to help unlock resources that achieve better outcomes with and for Black and Minoritised communities.
- Convening a group of Development Workers working in various parts of the South West, engage and support them to identify and address local needs.
- Ensuring learning opportunities, advice, templates and tools are available to improve the impact of their efforts to raise funding and build sustainability by tapping into resources within communities, and amongst stakeholders, funders and partners.
- Working with the BSWN research and policy team, to continuously map engagement and development of the Black and Minoritised VCSE organisations, groups and social enterprises operating in the South West, who actively support local communities.
- Capture all relevant organisational information and development activities on our CRM and engagement reporting systems to track progression, impact and share key learning.
Person Specification
Essential
- Understanding of and commitment to racial justice, and alignment with BSWN’s values and
- organisational mission.
- Experience in programme management (at least 3 years)
- Experience of organisational development in the VCSE Sector
- Excellent Interpersonal and communication skills: Ability to connect with diverse communities, negotiate, and convey information effectively.
- Strong organisational and strategic planning skills: Capable of coordinating events, campaigns, and community programs efficiently.
- Experience of community-facing work, preferably with Black, racially minoritised, or otherwise marginalised communities with trauma-informed practice.
- Excellent facilitation, communication and presentation skills.
- Experience of delivering capacity building and/or support programmes
- Knowledge of good working legal structures & developing organisational plans and budgets
- Ability to work independently, manage a varied workload, and thrive in a small, agile team.
- Strong computer skills, including: CRM Systems, Microsoft Teams and Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and the use of technology to communicate and build relationships.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the South West context and the specific challenges facing racially minoritised communities in the region.
- Experience working within the voluntary and community sector.• Experience designing training programmes or community resources.
What We Offer
- Salary of £40,000 depending on experience.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Pension with 3% employer contribution
- Hybrid working between office and home, with desk space at BSWN’s Bristol office (The Coach House, St Paul’s), with travel across the South West for organisational needs
- Professional development and training support, including connections to BSWN’s work.
- Pastoral support through our workplace wellbeing practitioner
- A committed, collegial team doing work that genuinely matters, in an organisation building something new.
Our Commitment to Equity in Hiring
BSWN is a racial justice organisation, and we are committed to ensuring that our recruitment
reflects that. We warmly welcome applications from Black and racially minoritised candidates, and
from people with lived experience of the issues our work addresses. We also welcome applicants
who may not hold a formal legal qualification, but who can demonstrate equivalent knowledge and
capability through their practice and experience.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and
to remove barriers to participation.
