Digbeth Trust Consultants
Consultants require two basic skills:
- Detailed knowledge
- Good interpersonal skills
A consultant provides a professional service to voluntary and community organisations by identifying and investigating issues concerned with strategy, policy, marketing, organisation, procedures and methods. She/he must be able to formulate recommendations for appropriate action by factual investigation and analysis, be able to discuss and agree with the group the most important course of action, and provide assistance where required by the voluntary group to implement her/his recommendations.
The Trust targets areas of Birmingham and surrounding areas experiencing disadvantage and exclusion and its explicit policy is to work with smaller, local, less experienced groups. Consultancy work may be research based but is often practical and hands-on. Generally, consultants will be working with voluntary management committees.
Consultants will need a clear understanding of some of the constraints to the development of small voluntary sector organisations. Good listening and diagnostic skills are needed as well as good interpersonal skills. Proven written ability is essential as is a commitment to knowledge sharing and transferring of skills.
The Trust has a statement and policy of intent regarding equal opportunities and consultants are expected to work within this policy. We require consultants to sign up to the Trust's Equal Opportunities policy, Code of Good Practice, Terms and Conditions and be willing to participate in performance assessments from time to time.
Consultants send us a C.V. and the contact details for two referees, one of which should relate to a smaller voluntary sector organisation that you have supported in the last two years.
Things we look for in potential consultants
- Two positive references, one of which is from a VCO.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Good listening and diagnostic skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Detailed knowledge of the skill area/field being researched.
- Experience of undertaking consultancy work with or for the voluntary sector.
- An understanding of the problems & issues facing the voluntary sector.
- Experience of working in the voluntary sector.
- Experience of working in multi-cultural communities.
- Experience of planning, monitoring & evaluation.
- Experience of organisation & assessment of development work.
- Knowledge & experience of working within an equal opportunities framework.
- Willingness to sign up to and work within the Trust's Equal Opportunities Statement of Intent.
- Commitment to transferring skills and knowledge sharing.
- Willingness to participate in performance assessments from time to time.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
You can download a copy of the application pack from the Consultants Pack page.
Consultants will be asked to sign the Code of Good Practice in Consultancy Work
Contact us if you are interested in becoming a Digbeth Trust registered consultant.