Manager Retail Superstore Emmaus Merseyside

Candidate Information Pack

Contents:

Introductory Letter from the Chair of Trustees Page 2

Information about Emmaus Merseyside Page 3

Job Description and Person Specification Page 8

Application Form Page 9/10

Declaration of Criminal Records Page 15

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form Page 16

Summary of Terms and Conditions of Employment and Employee Benefits Page 17

Emmaus Merseyside38 Sandy RoadSeaforthBootleMerseysideJune 2014

Dear Applicant

Thank your for your interest in Emmaus Merseyside and in particular the post of Manager of the Retail Superstore.

Emmaus UK is a federal body supporting 24 Communities and 8 Groups in the UK. We are part of Emmaus International with over 300 Communities worldwide. Emmaus communities offer homeless and socially excluded people a home, companionship, work and the chance to rebuild their lives in a supportive environment. Residents, known as companions, work full time in their community’s social enterprises enabling them to develop skills and build self-respect, whilst also enabling their community to become financially self- sustaining.

We are looking to recruit a Manager for our Retail Superstore Manager which has recently opened in Sandy Road, Seaforth Bootle L21 3TW. We need someone with good experience in running a successful retail business who can make the Sandy Road site into a’ Destination’ facility attracting customers and visitors from a wide catchment area.

You may have managed a Charity Shop, run your own retail business or have good knowledge of the retail trade from some other position. You will also need to be able to work with a willing group of volunteers who will be involved in helping to run the Superstore, do the collections and deliveries and any other duties required.

This is an exciting opportunity for a candidate with the right skills and experience to lead and be part of an innovative and collaborative team effort. If this role sounds interesting and you believe you have what it takes to deliver, we look forward to hearing from you.

If you are interested in applying for this role please complete the application form and the other relevant documents which are included in this Application Pack.

Please note that since the job will involve contact with vulnerable people and will therefore be subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service check it is also necessary for you to complete and return the declaration of criminal records form and the equal opportunities form with your application. Your completed application should be returned to Nigel Mellor, preferably by email at: emmaus.merseyside@live.co.uk Alternatively please send by post to: Emmaus Merseyside, 38 Sandy Road. Seaforth, Bootle, Merseyside, L21 3TWThe closing date for applications is NOON on Monday July 14th . Interviews are scheduled for Tuesday July 22nd at Sandy Road.There will be an opportunity for you to look around the premises before your interview.

For an informal and confidential conversation about the role please contact me on 0151 608 4103,

Yours faithfullyNigel Mellor: Chair of Trustees

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INFORMATION ABOUT EMMAUS MERSEYSIDE

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Emmaus MerseysideHistory and background of the Organisation

Emmaus was founded in France in 1949 by Father Henri-Antoine Groues, better known as the Abbé Pierre, a Catholic priest and MP. Emmaus emerged in response to the poverty and poor conditions that existed in France in the aftermath of the 2nd World War. The principles upon which Emmaus is built originated from an encounter between Abbé Pierre and Georges – a homeless man who is now recognised as being Emmaus’ first ‘Companion’. The two friends set about building temporary homes for those in need, providing vital shelter and support for dozens of vulnerable people in the Paris area. Unable to financially support the 18 men who now formed part of Emmaus’ first Community – Abbé Pierre sought to identify a more sustainable method of supporting the group.

This involved the Companions finding and assembling items that people no longer wanted in order to sell them on. The profits realised from this venture supported the financial needs of the Companions – meaning they could proudly live independent of State support.

The self-sustaining principles of Emmaus continue to embody the movement to this day – with the ability to achieve financial independence being a pre-requisite of all emerging Emmaus Communities.

There are now more than 400 member Communities & Groups in the Emmaus movement, operating across 45 countries with 24 operational projects at various locations across the UK. Each Emmaus Group is an independent social enterprise, registered as a charity and company limited by guarantee, and affiliated to Emmaus UK.

Emmaus Merseyside and what does it do?

Emmaus Merseyside is run by a Board of Trustees drawn from a variety of backgrounds in local organisations, the church and public and private sectors. The Trust meets regularly each month and a Project Steering Group meets every fortnight to oversee the detailed work necessary to ensure progress meets the timescale involved.

The aims and objects of Emmaus Merseyside are to alleviate poverty and the hardship and distress which arise therefrom without distinction, by the provision of accommodation and assistance for homeless people in Merseyside together with education, training and work opportunities to enable those involved to move on to live independently. We are working to meet these aims through the provision of:

• An accommodation scheme and training facility• A social enterprise business

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The people who are accommodated in an Emmaus scheme help to run the facility, they prepare and cook the food, clean the premises and run the furniture recycling and any other work related activities which may be set up. Emmaus Merseyside is Work has started with the building of the new accommodation scheme in the Seaforth area of Bootle which will provide 28 self-contained bedrooms –together with on- site accommodation for two staff. The scheme will also include catering kitchen facilities, communal dining area, lounge, IT training, keep fit and other training facilities. The building is due to be completed in March 2015.

The Social Enterprise Activity: Purpose and Initial Scope

The Social Enterprise provides further valuable training and work opportunities for those involved in an Emmaus Community but also helps to generate income to contribute towards making the whole operation sustainable in the longer term. We have taken over a 7,000 sq. ft. former Joinery Workshop in Sandy Road, Seaforth are working to establish this as a “destination” venue for those looking for quality furniture and a wide range of other household goods etc.

This facility will be run with the help of Volunteers and also Companions after they take up residence in the accommodation nearby. The Superstore Manager will coordinate, train and work with the Volunteers and Companions in the running of the social enterprise.

Opportunities for Partnership working

We have worked with a significant number of local community and voluntary organisations during the developmental stages of both the residential scheme and the retail superstore. We want to build on and extend these relationships since they provide valuable mutual support. There is considerable scope to increase the variety of working links with public, private and voluntary sector organisations as we move forward with our work. To date we have had support from Compass, the YMCA, Local Solutions, Independence Initiative, Bosco Society Tesco’s, Marks and Spencer, Speedy Hire, John Lewis Partnership etc. In addition we have raised significant funds from a variety of charitable sources including the People’s Post Code Lottery, Hemby Trust, along with others that wish to remain anonymous.

Furniture Recycling

The Charity Shop take in donated items of furniture for resale. Some repair and renovation work could be undertaken depending on the skills available etc. Other items could include books, clothing, toys and bric a brac. We have an agreement in place with Liverpool One to collect unwanted items left behind in shop units when retailers/restaurants vacate their premises. There is potential to build on this kind of arrangement.

Key Activities and Tasks

To continue the development of the Retail Superstore and any other related social enterprise activities we require a Retail Superstore Manager. This person will need to work cooperatively with other organisations in recruiting further volunteers as necessary and will organise and supervise the running of the Superstore, including the collection, pricing and delivery of goods.

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The Manager will also need to ensure that information about the Superstore is communicated widely by a publicity campaign throughout many different networks (including community and voluntary sector groups, private/retail business networks, Churches, Undertakers, Estate Agents, Social Housing organisations etc.) to ensure that the opportunity to donate unwanted items to Emmaus becomes very well known. A recognition of the contribution which social enterprises can make to the local economy and to social justice will also be required.

Managing and reporting on performance will be an important part of this job to ensure timely and relevant information is available to enable the further development of the various trading activities. There is considerable scope to develop the social enterprise activities in response to local community needs and market opportunities.

The Manager of the Superstore can make an important contribution to the successful establishment and growth of social enterprise activities operated by Emmaus Merseyside.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a central part in developing a business:

• which is proven to generate substantial levels of income - as reflected by the outstanding track record Emmaus has nationally in establishing socially profitable businesses 

• that will - in time - provide employment and training opportunities for up to 28 people and has the potential for many more • that achieves exceptional outputs with regard income generation, recycling, job creation and training opportunities, directly benefitting those disadvantaged in the labour and housing markets in a severely deprived area of Merseyside.

What others have said about Emmaus

The Emmaus model is tried and tested over many years and has been subject to significant independent evaluation. For example, Emmaus recently commissioned Just Economics to undertake a Social Return on Investment study of its work and found that Emmaus projects produced a return of £11 for every £1 invested or an average of £2 million per community.

For further information about our social impact, please read our “Making an Impact” reports at http://www.emmaus.org.uk/sroi

Emmaus MerseysideJune 2014

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Emmaus MerseysideManager Retail Superstore

Job Description

Location: Emmaus MerseysideAccountable to: Chair of Trustees

Overall Purpose of the Job

The Manager of the Retail Superstore is responsible to the Board of Trustees for managing and developing a successful retail business social enterprise for Emmaus Merseyside, working within Emmaus principles and policies and in collaboration with Emmaus UK. Further information on the current position of the project is attached to this Job Description.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Responsible to the Board of Trustees in terms of:

Designing and Managing the Project:

manage the land and/or buildings and other necessary equipment etc. necessary for the retail business and any other social enterprise activities

Identify the activities relevant to the local market to form the basis of viable retail and other business activities which would be sustainable in the longer term

Bring together the support necessary to enable the work activities to become established and develop, (e.g. market research, funding, material supplies, marketing, sustainable waste management etc.)

Ensure that any necessary project/action/business plans to guide the development of the retail enterprise and other business activities, are based on sound financial accounting

Solve issues and problems proactively, and escalate issues to the Chair of Trustees / Regional Development Officer / Development Team Manager at UK Office as appropriate

Control the project scope and management of risks Apply project management methodologies and regular reporting techniques to promote the project to

all stakeholders Measure and monitor progress against project plans and milestones and the budgetary provision, Maintain proper detailed records of all aspects relating to the trading position Provide regular reporting to the Board of Trustees and other relevant bodies as required

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Policy Implementation and Development Ensure that the Retail Business and any other social enterprise projects take into account and benefits

from advice available across the Emmaus network in the UK and abroad, working with the UK Development Team and Trustees of Emmaus Merseyside.

Implement all policies and procedures needed to ensure Emmaus Merseyside and its’ Trustees fulfil all their legal obligations.

Ensure all health and safety requirements are met with risk assessments and relevant policies in place

Recruitment and Management of Staff

Ensure the effective recruitment, training and support of any (paid or unpaid) staff and volunteers in agreement with Trustees

Where staff or volunteers are employed/involved, manage day to day HR issues in line with the HR policy, best practice and legislation

Supervise any staff and volunteers, agreeing and monitoring staff development and accreditation, undertaking key objectives and tasks, reviewing performance, salaries and expenses as appropriate

External Relations: Devise, develop and implement a successful Communications and External Relations strategy to raise

the profile of, and support for the Retail Business and any other social enterprise activities run by Emmaus Merseyside, working with the Emmaus UK Communications Team, local individuals, groups and bodies.

Maintain good relations with the local Council, business, community and voluntary organisations and the local community

Ensure regular contact with the Press and other media, and be involved in local events Provide monitoring information and reports to all funding agencies as required

Budgetary Control

The post holder is expected to plan, budget and report on finances associated with Emmaus Merseyside social enterprise. In addition this will involve verification, authorisation and monitoring of expenditure, within budget

The post holder will be responsible for monitoring and controlling project expenditure against the budget, ensuring that financial controls are operated to the satisfaction of the Treasurer and Auditors

Emmaus Communities aim to be self -sustaining financially and the Retail Superstore Manager is expected to take effective measures towards this goal. Accounts must be clear, transparent and up to date, and the post holder should ensure that a “value for money” approach to contracts and other business relationships is adopted

Other Duties

To take an active role in the development of the plans for the Community, including the Training and Accommodation initiative

To work within Emmaus principles Attend meetings Perform any other tasks or duties deemed necessary by the Board of Trustees

General

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Emmaus works with vulnerable people. Staff and volunteers must observe the proper demarcation and professional boundaries while performing their role.

The post holder must always act in a way which will maintain the good reputation of the Emmaus organisation, upholding its policies and procedures. The post holder will strive to preserve good working relationships with Staff, Volunteers, Companions and the Trustees, keeping the appropriate key personnel well informed of significant matters relating to the Community

We expect you to carry out your job responsibilities in an environmentally aware manner. Our aim is to ensure all resources are utilised effectively and efficiently. You will be expected to apply sound ‘value for money’ principles in undertaking purchasing or supply of goods and services.

In Emmaus, volunteers are an important resource and make a vital contribution to Emmaus’s aim to take action to help disadvantaged people. You will be expected to encourage, develop and support volunteer involvement in our work.

Emmaus Merseyside June 2014

Manager Retail SuperstorePerson Specification

Essential DesirableEducation:

GCSEs or equivalent including passes in English and Maths subjects

Education: Diploma or Degree Educated in a related field Other related professional education/training

Skills: Effective time management and organisational

skills Effective administrative skills Effective written and verbal communication skills Excellent presentation skills Effective IT skills including Microsoft Word and

Excel, and internet and email Good Negotiating skills Able to discuss business proposals effectively,

highlighting potential issues and remedies Accuracy , with good attention to detail Strong analytical and problem solving skills Database management

Skills: Line Management Skills Conflict resolution, negotiator Budget management and basic accounting skills

Experience: Proven experience in managing and/or developing

Retail Business operations Involvement with viable social businesses and/or

ability to manage such projects from inception to successful implementation

Proven experience and ability to network effectively

People management and leadership particularly in recruiting and working with volunteers

Financial and budget management Excellent PR and publicity management experience

Experience: Voluntary/Charity sector experience, working with a Board of

Trustees Recycling and second hand retail Facilities Management Developing and managing a supporter database Experience of initiating and running high profile events Fundraising

Knowledge: Issues surrounding confidentiality and data

protection Professional boundaries Demonstration of a belief in and the ability to

Knowledge: Knowledge and understanding of issues surrounding

homelessness Health and Safety: Fire safety, COSHH, manual handling, risk

assessment, first aid, food hygiene

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adopt and work within the Emmaus ethos and principles

Effective Marketing and Publicity techniques relevant to the Retail business and other social enterprise activities.

Data protection HR Knowledge of other relevant agencies within this field Knowledge and understanding of local council structures

Other:

Accepting and promoting the values and ethos of Emmaus

Effective team worker Empathetic and diplomatic, working and

relating to a diverse range of people Highly self-motivated Flexible attitude to work, some weekend and

evening working may be required Effective listener Ability to stay calm under pressure Awareness and understanding of Equal

Opportunities Ability to work unsocial hours and

undertake local and UK wide travel as and when required

Other:

Understanding of Emmaus An understanding and interest in environmental

issues

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Emmaus MerseysideJob Application FormAddress: emmaus.merseyside@live.co.uk Company Reg No: 5075117 Registered charity no: 1110220Website: www.emmaus.org.uk/merseyside

Please complete this form in black ink or type, and return by email or post to the above address. Please complete this form accurately, giving as many details as possible of your skills and experience relating to the job. Short-listing will be based on the information gathered from this form, read in conjunction with the person specification for the role

Job Details:Job applied for: Manager Retail Superstore Location:

Please state where you saw this post advertised:

Personal Details:Title: First name Surname:

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Address: Email address:

Home tel:

Work tel:

Mobile tel:

Are there any restrictions regarding your employment? E.g. Do you require a work permit? Yes*/no *If you answer yes, please provide details below

Driving licence - Do you hold a full driving licence: Yes*/no *If yes please provide details of endorsements if you have any

How much notice are you required to give your current employer?

Reasons for applying:Please outline your reasons for applying for the post. (Please continue onto a separate sheet if necessary)

Education and Qualifications:Please list any qualifications you have taken or are about to take. (Most recent first)

Date Name of school / college/ university / training body

Type of Qualification

Subject Result

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Training:Please list any training you have received, or courses you have attended that you feel are relevant to the post.(Most recent first)

Date Details of Training Course

Past Employment Details: Please start with your most recent / current employment. Briefly describe the main duties and responsibilities.(Continues overleaf)

Employers name & address

Job Title Brief description of duties Date Salary Reasons for leavingFrom To

Past Employment Details (Continued): Please start with your most recent / current employment. Briefly describe the main duties and responsibilities.

Employers name & address

Job Title Brief description of duties Date Salary Reasons for leavingFrom To

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Relevant Skills and Experience:This section is for you to give specific information in support of your application. After reading the job description and person specification please indicate your skills and experience relevant to the position you have applied for. (Please continue onto a separate sheet if necessary)

Other Interests:Please give details of any vocational activities or voluntary commitments.

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Referees:Any offer of employment is dependent on receipt of 2 satisfactory references. Please provide details of two referees who can comment on your suitability for this post. We would normally wish to see one reference from your present or most recent employer. References will only be taken up for the successful candidate.

Referee 1: Referee 2:

Name: Name:

Position: Position:

In what capacity does this person know you: In what capacity does this person know you:

Organisation: Organisation:

Address: Address:

Tel: Tel:

Email: Email:

Data Protection:The Data Protection Act 1998 (“The Act”) sets out certain requirements for the protection of your personal information against unauthorized use of disclosure. The Act gives you certain rights.

Except to the extent we are required or permitted by law, the information which you provide in this application form, and any other information obtained or provided during the course of your application (“the information”) will be used solely for the purpose of assessing your application.

If your application is unsuccessful or you choose not to accept any offer of employment we make, the information will not be held for longer than necessary, after which time it will be destroyed, although relevant information will be retained in the longer term to facilitate our Equal Opportunities Monitoring.

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If your application is successful, the information will form part of your Personnel file and we will be entitled to process it for all purposes in connection with your employment. So that we may use the information for the above purposes and on the above terms, we are required under the Act to obtain your explicit consent.

I consent to the use of my personal information for the purpose and on terms set out above.

I confirm that the information contained in this application form is accurate and correct.

Signature ___________________________________ Date ______________________

Thank you for completing this application form. Please forward this together with other associated forms to the address specified at the

beginning of this form

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Emmaus MerseysideDeclaration of Criminal Records Form

The post you have applied for is excepted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, which means that all convictions (spent or unspent), cautions, reprimands and final warnings on your criminal record need to be disclosed. Job applied for: Location:

Please complete this form and return it in a sealed envelope along with your application.

Title: First name Surname:

Have you ever been convicted by the courts or cautioned, reprimanded or given a final warning by the police?

Yes*/No

*If yes, provide details of offences, penalties and dates below:

If you have declared a criminal record and we believe this will have a bearing on the requirements of the post we will discuss the matter with you at interview. If you require any further information or have any concerns about filling in this form please contact us.

Please note that Emmaus takes its responsibilities under the Disclosure & Barring Service very seriously and takes every step possible to ensure confidentiality. Further information on disclosures and barring can be found on the DBS website. Declaration:

I confirm that the information contained in this application form is accurate and correct.Signature __________________________________ Date

__________________________

Thank you for completing this form. Please forward this together with your completed application form

Emmaus MerseysideEqual Opportunities Monitoring Form

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Emmaus is committed to equal opportunities in employment and volunteering and will assess for roles fairly without regard to sex, age, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins. People with disabilities will be assessed on the needs of the role they have applied for. We would therefore be grateful if you could complete and return this form. The information you supply will be separated from your application before the short-listing and interview process begins, and will be kept confidentially and will only be used so that we can monitor the implementation of our equal opportunities policy.

Please choose one option from each of the sections listed below, checking the relevant box with an X, by double clicking on the appropriate box.Ethnic Group: Age: Religion:

White:

BritishEnglishIrishScottishWelshOther White background

Asian or Asian British:BangladeshiIndianPakistani Other Asian background

Mixed:

White and AsianWhite/Black AfricanWhite/Black Caribbean White and Chinese Other Mixed background

Black or Black British:AfricanCaribbeanOther Black background

Chinese or Chinese British or other ethnic group:ChineseOther ethnic group Prefer not to say

16 – 24 25 – 3435 – 4445 – 5455 – 6465+

No religion Baha’iChristian HinduJewishMuslimBuddhistJainSikhOther

Marital Status:

SingleMarried/Civil PartnershipLiving with partnerOther

Disability:The Equality Act 2010 defines a disability as a ‘physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’. An effect is long-term if it has lasted, or is likely to last, more than 12 months.

Do you consider that you have a disability under the Equality Act (please tick)?

Yes No Prefer not to say

Declaration:This information will be treated in the strictest confidence. It will be used to meet any requirements you have for statistical equal opportunities monitoring. Under the Data Protection Act 1998 we need your agreement to retain this information for these purposes. Please tick this box if you agree to this: Signature __________________________________________ Date _________________Thank you for completing this form. Please forward this together with your completed

application form

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Terms and Conditions of Employment: Summary Points

Working Hours – full time hours are 35 hours per week, which will need to be worked

flexibly to meet customer demand.

Flexible Working – Options are available, subject to the requirements of individual

roles and work priorities.

Annual Leave – 25 days per annum, plus 8 bank holidays.

Pension – A contributory pension is available which enables the employer to contribute

up to 5% of the gross salary subject to the employee at least matching this contribution.

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