Contract Type: Fixed term

Role Type: Employment

Hours: Part time

Application deadline: Monday, November 17, 2025 - 12:00

Based: Newcastle

Salary: £24,897 Pro Rata

Salary Type: Fixed Salary

Location: Tyne and Wear

Role description: Officer

• 24 hours per week
• £13.68/hour  (increasing to £14.26/hour in April 2026)
• £24,897.60 pro rata (based on a 35 hour week) increasing to £25,953.20 pro rata in April 2026

Role Objective

The purpose of this role is to consolidate the strategic vision, ambition and sustainability of Dwellbeing Shieldfield. The Organisational Development Worker Member will work with the Stewards (our Directors) and Programme Worker and wider team to develop a long-term plan for ongoing sustainability and autonomy of Dwellbeing Shieldfield with community-led activity and co-operative principles at its centre. This will involve deepening the democratic involvement of our membership across the organisation and developing strategic links with local authorities, funders, and other stakeholders. 

The objective is to make Dwellbeing Shieldfield more member-led, responsive, and accountable. We aim to increase member participation and establish inclusive and transparent structures which support members in having real influence in participatory decision-making processes across the organisation. We also aim to build intentional relationships with academic institutions, local authorities, funders, and other stakeholders to advance shared goals, secure resources, and amplify impact.

The post holder will be trained in our existing administrative, financial and data management procedures as needed. 

This part-time role is funded until end February 2027 with the possibility of extending beyond, dependent on funding.

Background Role Objective

Dwellbeing Shieldfield is a Charitable Community Benefit Society which operates as a co-operative.  We have a mix of employed and sessional workers and volunteers who work across different activities and working groups. We are organised around a flat structure, so there is no ‘boss’ and no line management. Our employees are called ‘Worker Members’ to differentiate from ‘Members’ of the Community Benefit Society. All Worker Members are paid at the same rate. We all share responsibility and try to support each other to develop our strengths within the resources we have available to us. 

Main Responsibilities / Key Tasks

• Lead on continual development of a fundraising plan. Identify appropriate fundraising opportunities, and lead on writing fundraising applications with input from Programme Worker and programme leads. Where relevant, liaise with Partners/External Fundraiser to support the writing of fundraising applications in partnership.
• Lead on exploring opportunities for a mixed funding strategy which could include community-shares and socially trading opportunities in Dwellbeing’s programme to support a long-term plan for sustainability and autonomy of Dwellbeing Shieldfield and strengthen alternative social and solidarity economies locally and beyond.
• Lead on monitoring budgets and financial needs of the organisation  with support from Programme Worker. 
• Ensure the organisation is compliant with relevant regulations and the requirements of the Financial Conduct Authority.
• Prepare and deliver regular organisational/finance updates to the Stewards and programme partnership meetings. 
• Liaise with an Independent Accountant to produce our annual report.
• Work with Administrator to ensure smooth delivery of payroll and other regular financial commitments.
• Support the Programme Worker with recruitment of new team members including the issuing of contracts and induction/onboarding.
• Lead on efficient monitoring and reporting of grants. Ensure that funds are implemented and communicated within conditions of the grant. Collate evidence relevant to funding reports, including an activity log, and work with the Programme Worker and programme leads to write reports.
• Work with colleagues and Independent Evaluator to develop evaluation and reporting processes for different audiences (internal and external) to share learning from the programme and to help shape future development (embedding a model of planning, action and reflection).
• Work with Stewards and Community Bees to support strategic thinking with members around our CBS model including General Meetings and other membership processes inline with our values and constitution. Work with Stewards and Community Bees to develop membership process and engagement and build and sustain membership.
• Support partnership working and partnership development in response to the priorities and capacities identified by members.
• Plan, coordinate and attend Stewards meetings, including preparation of meeting documents and management reports. 
• Support Worker Member Team to implement organisational policies and procedures, with the oversight of Stewards/Worker Member Support Group inline with our constitution and values. This may involve seeking out and organising training for Worker Members, Stewards and volunteers.
• Work with the Programme Worker and Stewards to ensure that Dwellbeing activities are developed and delivered in response to diverse barriers, lived experience and needs of those we wish to engage. This may involve seeking out and organising training for staff, Stewards and volunteers.
• Represent and promote the work of Dwellbeing externally by speaking at events.
• Attend team meetings (twice monthly) and 1:1s with colleagues as required.
• Review and refresh the Organisational Development Plan on a regular basis and work with colleagues to ensure it meets the needs, aspiration of Dwellbeing.

About Dwellbeing Shieldfield

Dwellbeing Shieldfield is a welcoming, creative and inclusive co-operative of Shieldfield residents and community members of all ages and backgrounds. Through our projects, research and events we share life together, support our neighbours and celebrate and empower our rich and diverse community. Our aim is for community members to play an active role in shaping life in Shieldfield. 

Dwellbeing Shieldfield is committed to a voluntary open membership; autonomy and independence; education and training; solidarity with other cooperatives and being connected to a wider, international movement. Our principles are in line with the cooperative principles of honesty, openness, care for others, democracy and equality, with community wellbeing at the heart of what we do.

For further information about what we do and why we do it, please see our Membership Information leaflet and website.

How to apply 

Download the Job Pack for full details and guidance on how to apply.

Key dates:

• Applications close Monday 17th November at 12 noon
• Applicants informed by Monday 24th November
• Interviews on Monday 1st/Tuesday 2nd December