Specialist Project Officer

Join Us as a Specialist Project Officer as part of the RJC’s Horizon Project

Are you passionate about creating safe and supportive environments for those harmed by the Horizon IT Scandal? Do you believe in the power of healing through empowerment, even for individuals who may not wish to engage in traditional restorative justice processes? If this resonates with you, we invite you to step into a transformative role as our Specialist Project Officer for a pioneering initiative.

In this senior position, you will play a crucial role in designing and piloting a high-quality, trauma-informed Restorative Listening Service specifically tailored for those harmed by the Horizon IT Scandal, either directly or indirectly. Recognising that not all individuals wish to participate in direct or indirect restorative justice processes, this program aims to prioritise well-being and promote healing in a manner that respects each person's unique experiences and choices.

Your leadership will guide the recruitment and training of a dedicated team of restorative listeners, providing confidential one-on-one support to those in need. This pilot program will operate on the principles of restorative practices, allowing participants to explore their experiences without the obligation to commit to restorative justice processes now or in the future. Importantly, they will have the option to self-refer to our restorative programs at any point should they choose to explore those avenues later on.

Join us in this vital mission to foster healing and resilience, empowering individuals to navigate their journeys on their own terms. Together, we can create a compassionate space where every voice is heard and valued. If you're ready to make a significant impact, we want to hear from you!

Position Details:

Role: Specialist Project Officer

Salary: £35,000 + matched 5% pension contribution

Location: Home-based within the UK with some national and international travel

Contract: Full-time fixed-term for one year, with potential for extension following a successful pilot

Leave: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas closedown

About the Programme:

This ground breaking initiative marks a significant advancement in addressing the intricate needs of those affected by organisational harm, specifically focusing on individuals impacted by the Horizon IT scandal. At its core, the programme prioritises the well-being of those who may not be ready or inclined to engage in traditional restorative justice processes, creating a safe and nurturing environment where their experiences are validated. Our mission is to empower participants by acknowledging their journeys and fostering healing in ways that extend beyond conventional frameworks—ultimately paving the path toward transformative recovery.

This pilot programme is designed to be flexible and participant-centred, providing space for a diverse range of individuals to explore their options at their own pace. This approach ensures a supportive atmosphere that honours and respects the unique experiences of each participant. As a leader in this innovative initiative grounded in restorative principles, you will play a pivotal role in its development, helping to implement a model that seeks to achieve significant outcomes:

Feeling Heard and Validated: Central to our mission is the goal of ensuring that those harmed feel acknowledged and supported. By connecting with trained listeners, we aim to reduce feelings of isolation and foster a sense of community.

Creating a Tested and Scalable Model: This pilot programme will serve as a proof of concept, providing a tested and evaluated model that can be expanded to meet the needs of a larger population affected by the Horizon IT scandal and the wider restorative justice sector.

The Restorative Listener Programme is a crucial initiative designed to support those affected by the Horizon IT scandal. With a strong emphasis on delivering measurable outputs and meaningful outcomes, this programme aims to create a compassionate and validating environment for individuals seeking healing beyond traditional restorative justice avenues. Building upon the recommendations made by Sir Wyn Williams, we want to offer a restorative response that transcends conventional practices. Through this initiative, we want to ensure that every voice has the opportunity to be heard, validated, and empowered, facilitating a more personalised and effective journey toward recovery for all participants.

Key Responsibilities:

Design and Implementation

• Develop and pilot a high-quality, trauma-informed Restorative Listening Service tailored for individuals harmed by the Horizon IT Scandal.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to create a flexible and participant-centred programme that addresses the unique needs of participants.

Training Delivery

• Develop and deliver training for a dedicated team of restorative listeners who will provide confidential one-on-one support.
• Ensure that restorative listeners are well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to facilitate effective support sessions.

Project Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Restorative Listening Service, ensuring that it runs smoothly and meets established goals.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the programme, gathering feedback to inform ongoing improvements.
• Prepare reports for stakeholders that document progress, insights, and recommendations for scaling the programme.

Participant Engagement

• Develop and maintain outreach strategies to engage individuals harmed by the Horizon IT Scandal, ensuring accessibility to the services offered.
• Facilitate a safe and welcoming environment where participants feel heard and validated in their experiences.
• Ensure that all activities are conducted in line with the principles of restorative practices and ethical standards that prioritise participant well-being and confidentiality.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Collect and analyse data related to participant experiences, outcomes, and feedback to generate anonymised thematic reports.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a representative of the programme in national and international forums, raising awareness of the initiative and its impact.

What You Bring:

To excel in the role of Specialist Project Officer, you will bring a unique blend of skills and experiences, including significant experience in restorative practice and a deep understanding of trauma-informed care. You will have a proven ability to apply restorative justice principles in real-world settings, facilitating healing and support for individuals who have experienced harm. Your leadership and team management skills will enable you to effectively train and mentor a team of restorative listeners, ensuring high-quality support delivery.

Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities will allow you to engage with diverse stakeholders and foster meaningful connections with participants. Additionally, you will possess strong project management proficiency, enabling you to plan, coordinate, and execute initiatives while monitoring progress and evaluating outcomes to achieve established goals.

Your empathy and cultural sensitivity will help you connect with individuals from various backgrounds, demonstrating understanding toward their unique experiences and needs. With strong analytical skills, you will gather and interpret data related to participant experiences and outcomes, preparing detailed reports for stakeholders.

Lastly, your adaptability and flexibility will ensure that the programme remains responsive to the evolving needs of participants, allowing you to explore innovative solutions as necessary. By bringing these skills to the Specialist Project Officer position, you will play a crucial role in fostering healing and resilience within the community impacted by the Horizon IT Scandal.

Why Join Us?

This pioneering national project, led by the Restorative Justice Council, presents a unique opportunity to drive positive change for those affected by the Horizon IT Scandal. As our Specialist Project Officer, you will play a critical role in designing and piloting a high-quality, trauma-informed Restorative Listening Service tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals impacted by organisational harm. Your leadership in training and managing restorative listeners, combined with your expertise in restorative practices, will empower participants to navigate their healing journeys in a compassionate and supportive environment.

Joining the Restorative Justice Council at this pivotal moment allows you to be part of a respected organisation that is at the forefront of advancing restorative justice initiatives across the UK. This is a time of significant opportunity for systemic change, with growing recognition of the importance of restorative practices in addressing harm and promoting healing. By contributing to this transformative initiative, you will not only facilitate meaningful recovery for affected individuals but also help shape the future of restorative justice. Together, we can ensure that every voice is heard, validated, and empowered, making a lasting impact in the communities we serve.

How to Apply:

If you are ready to make a significant impact as our Specialist Project Officer, we want to hear from you! To apply, please send your CV along with a covering letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are passionate about this role. In your covering letter, we ask that you include the following:

• A brief overview of your experience in restorative practices and trauma-informed support.
• Specific examples of your leadership and training delivery skills, particularly in relation to managing teams or facilitating workshops.
• Your understanding of the needs of individuals impacted by organisational harm and how you can contribute to their healing journeys.
• Any relevant experience with networking and community partnerships that would enhance service delivery in this role.

Please send your applications to james.simon@restorativejustice.org.uk.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 1st October, at 5pm. Interviews will be held online on Tuesday, 7th October. We look forward to receiving your application and learning how you can contribute to this meaningful initiative.