IT ReUse Project Lead

IT ReUse Project Lead

Part-time: 22.5 hours per week £25,515 - £27,515 per annum pro rata dependant on experience.

An opportunity to take ownership of and develop an established community project tackling digital exclusion in York.

Are you a proactive, organised and motivated person who enjoys building relationships, spotting opportunities and turning ideas into action?

Community Furniture Stores is looking for an IT ReUse Project Lead to take responsibility for the management, development and growth of our established IT ReUse project.

This is a project leadership and development role, rather than a technical IT role. You do not need to be an IT technician or have extensive technical knowledge. We are looking for someone who can take ownership of the project, build partnerships, develop new opportunities, improve how we work and increase our impact in the local community.

You will oversee the day-to-day running and future development of the project, working with our IT Technician, Volunteer Coordinator, volunteers and external partners to ensure the project operates effectively and continues to grow.

A key part of the role will be increasing the reach and impact of IT ReUse - developing relationships with local organisations, identifying new sources of donated equipment, raising awareness of the project and finding new ways to support people experiencing digital and financial exclusion.

You will also be responsible for delivering funded projects effectively and ensuring that we meet our commitments to funders. This will include monitoring project outputs and outcomes, maintaining accurate records, gathering evidence of impact and contributing to high-quality funder reports.

If you are someone who naturally sees opportunities, takes initiative and enjoys making things happen, this could be the role for you.

About CFS

Community Furniture Stores is a grassroots charity which works to alleviate furniture and digital poverty in North Yorkshire.

We have three stores in York, Scarborough and Selby which sell pre-loved and new furniture and household items at affordable rates to people in our local communities.

We reuse and repair donated items through our carpentry workshops and run an IT ReUse project to get equipment to people who would otherwise be digitally excluded.

In each store, we provide volunteering opportunities for people to learn new skills, grow in confidence and be part of a team.

About IT ReUse

IT ReUse collects, refurbishes and redistributes digital devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones to individuals in the city of York who are at risk of digital and financial exclusion.

We collect donated equipment from individuals and corporate organisations and follow a fully audited process to securely erase data, repair equipment where necessary and preload appropriate software.

We also provide people with internet connectivity packages to ensure they can get online once they receive their device.

People in need are referred to us by social workers and other agencies who have assessed their needs. We then ensure that the equipment provided matches their needs and is distributed to them in a timely manner.

Alongside the provision of IT equipment, we provide training and volunteering opportunities to people who are keen to learn new skills and be part of a community project. We currently have around 15 volunteers supporting the project.

Last year, we refurbished and distributed over 300 devices, provided 200 internet connectivity packages and saved over 1 metric tonne of e-waste from landfill or incineration. Four of our volunteers also moved on into employment.

This is an exciting time to join the IT ReUse project as we refocus the project and develop it to ensure we are having the greatest possible impact in our local communities.

About the role

As IT ReUse Project Lead, you will take responsibility for the effective management, development and growth of the project.

The role will involve a balance of project delivery, partnership development, community engagement, process improvement and monitoring and evaluation.

You will be responsible for ensuring that projects are delivered effectively, including projects supported by external funding, and that agreed outputs, outcomes and reporting requirements are met.

You will also line manage our IT Technician, who leads on the repairs and technical elements of the project. You therefore do not need to be a technical IT specialist. Some experience or understanding of IT and technology would be useful, but project management, relationship building, initiative and the ability to develop a project are more important to us.

Key responsibilities

Project management and delivery

• Take responsibility for the effective management and development of the IT ReUse project.
• Develop practical plans to increase the reach, scale and impact of the project.
• Deliver funded projects in line with agreed objectives, timescales and funding requirements.
• Translate funding agreements and project plans into clear activities, priorities and deliverables.
• Set objectives, milestones and timescales and monitor progress against them.
• Identify risks, challenges and delays early and take appropriate action.
• Ensure agreed project outputs and outcomes are delivered.
• Coordinate activity across staff, volunteers and partner organisations.
• Take ownership of problems and find practical solutions.
• Evaluate project activity and use learning to improve future delivery.

Monitoring, evaluation and funder reporting

• Establish and maintain effective systems for monitoring project activity, outputs and outcomes.
• Ensure accurate and timely collection of project data and evidence.
• Work with staff, volunteers and partners to ensure information is captured consistently.
• Monitor performance against agreed targets and identify areas requiring action.
• Gather qualitative and quantitative evidence to demonstrate the impact of the project.
• Maintain clear records to support funder reporting and future funding applications.
• Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reports for funders and other stakeholders.
• Ensure funding requirements and reporting deadlines are understood and met.
• Use monitoring and evaluation findings to improve project delivery and demonstrate the value and impact of IT ReUse.

Partnerships and community engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local charities, community organisations, referral agencies and other partners.
• Identify opportunities to develop new partnerships that can increase the reach and impact of IT ReUse.
• Increase awareness of the project among organisations supporting people experiencing digital exclusion.
• Act as the external face of IT ReUse and represent the project positively within the local community.
• Attend networking events, meetings and other relevant events to build relationships and increase our local presence.
• Proactively identify opportunities to promote the project and communicate its impact.
• Develop relationships with organisations that could benefit from or contribute to the project.

Growing the supply of equipment

• Identify and pursue new opportunities to increase the supply of donated IT equipment.
• Develop relationships with businesses and other organisations that could become regular donors.
• Explore opportunities such as corporate partnerships, collection schemes and donation boxes.
• Develop and maintain effective processes for managing donor relationships.
• Look for new and creative ways to increase the quantity and quality of equipment available to the project.

Process and operational improvement

• Review existing processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Streamline processes where appropriate and develop new systems where necessary.
• Ensure the project has clear, practical and consistently followed processes.
• Identify operational risks and take action to address them.
• Ensure relevant health and safety, environmental and data protection requirements are understood and met.
• Work with the IT Technician to ensure technical activity supports the wider objectives of the project.
• Identify opportunities to make better use of available resources.

Staff and volunteers

• Line manage and support the IT Technician, providing clear objectives, regular support and development opportunities.
• Work closely with the Volunteer Coordinator and IT Technician to recruit, organise and develop a strong team of skilled volunteers.
• Ensure volunteers have meaningful opportunities to develop their skills and contribute to the project.
• Create a positive, inclusive and collaborative environment for staff and volunteers.
• Recognise and celebrate the contribution and achievements of volunteers.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience of managing, coordinating or developing a project, programme or significant piece of work.
• Has experience of monitoring progress and delivering against agreed objectives, targets or funding requirements.
• Is highly proactive and takes ownership rather than waiting to be told what to do.
• Can see opportunities and has the confidence and drive to pursue them.
• Is organised and able to manage multiple priorities, projects and deadlines effectively.
• Can turn ideas into practical plans and follow them through to delivery.
• Is confident building relationships and developing partnerships with a wide range of organisations and individuals.
• Is an excellent communicator who can represent a project positively and confidently.
• Is comfortable networking and developing new contacts and opportunities.
• Is confident working with data, monitoring information and evidence to demonstrate project impact.
• Can produce clear and accurate written reports and communicate project progress effectively.
• Enjoys reviewing processes, identifying inefficiencies and finding better ways of working.
• Is a practical problem-solver who is comfortable working independently.
• Can motivate and support colleagues and volunteers.
• Is able to balance planning and longer-term development with practical project delivery.
• Is comfortable working in a small organisation where priorities can change and everyone needs to be willing to get involved.
• Is passionate about making a positive difference in the local community.
• Shares our values of being inclusive, local, collaborative and innovative.

Technical experience

You do not need to be an IT technician for this role.

Some experience or understanding of IT, digital inclusion, technology or refurbishment would be advantageous, but it is not essential.

What we really need is someone who can lead the project, deliver against commitments, monitor and demonstrate impact, build relationships, develop opportunities, improve processes and make things happen.

What we offer

• Part-time: 22.5 hours per week
• Salary: £25,515 - £27,515 per annum pro rata dependant on experience.

• Sociable working hours between 8.30am and 4.30pm.
• No Sunday working.
• 28 days' paid holiday per year, including bank holidays, pro rata for part-time staff and increasing with length of service.
• A friendly and supportive working environment where your contribution matters.
• The opportunity to take ownership of an established community project and help shape its future.
• The opportunity to develop your project management, partnership and community development experience.
• Training and regular opportunities to develop your skills.
• The opportunity to build relationships across York's charity, community and business sectors.
• The chance to work on a project with a clear and measurable social and environmental impact.

Community Furniture Stores welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment.

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