Community Research Vacancy

The role of the community anchor organisations in regulating community influence and engagement in anti-poverty programmes

The South Riverside Community Development Centre (SRCDC) currently works with people in the areas of Butetown, Riverside and Grangetown to deliver the Welsh Government’s flagship programme, Communities First. Communities First is a tackling poverty programme aimed at the most deprived communities across Wales. However the organisation exists as an independent charity which aims to benefit the local community by advancing the education of the public in matters related to mental, physical, cultural, and social welfare and by relieving poverty. The Communities First programme is being phased out over 2017/18 and the focus will be on the role of community anchor organisations in supporting and representing their communities over this time.

We are one of two community based organisations (the other being 3GS Community Development Trust in Merthyr Tydfil) involved with Bristol University and Cardiff University in delivering an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded 5-year research programme ‘Productive Margins; Regulating for Engagement’. We are seeking to employ a suitably qualified and experienced Research Associate to support this one-year research project based at SRCDC. Supported by the Cardiff University academic lead the researcher will work with both community organisations at a time of national policy shift in vision and delivery. The research itself with be guided by a working group comprising community workers and academic researchers.

This post offers an excellent opportunity for a keen researcher to work in a community setting, but supported by a working group comprised of academic researchers and community based workers. The researcher will explore and map, historically and in real time, the actual and future potential role of community anchor organisations in mediating the regulatory demands of national and local anti-poverty programmes, and the needs and ambitions of the communities they serve.

The post will be hosted by SRCDC and will report to the community organisation leads and the academic lead for the project at Cardiff University. The post-holder will be based at the office in SRCDC but will also have access to desk space at the 3GS and at Cardiff University. The fieldwork will cover the two community areas equally.

The post is full-time on a one-year fixed-term contract, the annual salary is £25,000, 28 days paid annual leave and eight statutory bank holidays.

Application packs can be requested by emailing: Ken Barker, kenbarker@srcdc.org.uk

Telephone: 029 20220309

The closing date for applications is Friday 21^st April 2017, 5pm.

Interviews will take place in the week commencing Monday 1st May 2017