To lead and shape how the Combined Authority engages with and works alongside the VCFSE sector to inform policy and investment priorities.
SECONDMENT OPPERTUNITY
Partner Organisation
Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority
Location
External Organisation - refer to advert text
Job Category
Economic Development
Grade
Please refer to advert text
Employment Type
Secondment (Fixed term)
This role provides strategic leadership for how the Combined Authority engages with the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector, ensuring that community insight, lived experience and grassroots intelligence are embedded within the organisation’s growth strategy, policy development and investment decisions.
Working across the organisation and with external partners, the postholder will strengthen relationships with the VCFSE sector, enabling more effective participation, co‑production and partnership working. The role will ensure that community perspectives are reflected early in policy and programme design, supporting more inclusive, place‑based and deliverable approaches to growth.
Operating at a system level, the role will act as a bridge between the Combined Authority, the Cheshire and Warrington Infrastructure Partnership (CWIP) and the wider VCFSE sector, helping to shape how the organisation works with communities and establishing sustainable approaches to engagement beyond the initial secondment period.
RESPONSIBILITIES the VCFSE Engagement and Partnerships Lead will…
- Lead the development of a coherent, organisation‑wide approach to VCFSE engagement and partnership working, aligned with growth, investment and delivery priorities.
- Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with VCFSE organisations across Cheshire East, Cheshire West & Chester and Warrington.
- Develop and maintain a strategic relationship with the Cheshire and Warrington Infrastructure Partnership (CWIP) to strengthen collaboration, insight and co‑production.
- Ensure that the voice, insight and expertise of communities are embedded in policy development, programme design and investment decisions.
- Design and implement accessible and effective mechanisms for participation, enabling VCFSE organisations to shape strategies, consultations and delivery plans.
- Represent VCFSE perspectives within internal forums, working groups and decision‑making processes, ensuring community insight informs priorities.
- Lead and support co‑production activity, including workshops, engagement events and collaborative design processes that bring community voices into decision‑making.
- Work across the organisation to embed community insight and lived experience into programme development, delivery and evaluation.
- Develop clear communication and feedback approaches so that VCFSE organisations understand opportunities, funding routes and programme activity.
- Act as a bridge between the Combined Authority, CWIP and the wider VCFSE sector, strengthening trust, transparency and collaboration.
- Identify opportunities to improve how the organisation engages with communities, supporting a consistent and inclusive engagement approach across teams
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Shape the development of a sustainable, long‑term model for VCFSE engagement and partnership working beyond the secondment period.
- Contribute to the development of policy, programmes and funding approaches that reflect community priorities and reduce inequalities.
- Represent the organisation in relevant partnership forums, networks and stakeholder meetings.
- Support alignment between VCFSE engagement and wider communications and stakeholder strategies.
- Undertake other duties commensurate with the role as required
- Hybrid working arrangements
This role requires you to undertake other duties, commensurate with the grade, as may reasonably be required and in line with organisational development and change.
REQUIREMENTS the VCFSE Engagement and Partnership Lead will demonstrate…
- Strong knowledge of the VCFSE sector, including its diversity, challenges and opportunities.
- Experience building relationships and working in partnership across community organisations, public sector bodies and stakeholders.
- Experience designing and delivering engagement, participation or co‑production approaches that influence policy, services or investment decisions.
- Ability to influence and advise at a strategic level, including working with senior leaders and decision‑makers.
- Strong communication, facilitation and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
- Understanding of inclusive growth, inequalities and the role of communities in shaping outcomes.
- Ability to operate effectively within a complex and evolving organisational and political environment
To find out more information about what it is like to work for Cheshire West and Chester Council including our rewards and benefits please see www.cwcrecruitment.co.uk
No candidate will meet every single requirement - if your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you!
Cheshire West and Chester Council are committed to equality and diversity in employment. Please see the Equality Policy for more information.
Cheshire West and Chester Council have adopted a Local Living Wage for our employees which means that all employees will receive a minimum of £13.45 per hour for all contracted hours.
For any technical enquiries please email [email protected] and quote job reference number in all correspondence.
