1. Purpose of the Role

HOBU and BRIDGE are seeking an experienced, highly organised and values-driven Programme and Operations Manager to work across two distinct but aligned Black-led organisations.

The post has two differentiated portfolios. Approximately 70% of working time will support HOBU's operations and organisational development. Approximately 30% will support BRIDGE's programme management and development across Research, Education, Community and Global Impact.

The allocation provides a framework for workload planning rather than prescribing fixed days every week. Some activities, partnerships, events and programmes may benefit both organisations or require flexibility. Work will be managed through agreed quarterly workplans so that, over a reasonable reporting period, the overall allocation remains approximately 70% HOBU and 30% BRIDGE.

Where an activity clearly serves both organisations it may be identified as shared activity rather than artificially attributed to one organisation. Shared activity should remain proportionate and should not result in either organisation routinely absorbing work funded by the other.

2. About HOBU

Harambee Organisation of Black Unity (HOBU) is a community-based organisation committed to unity, empowerment, education and collective advancement within the Black community locally, nationally and internationally. Operating from the Marcus Garvey Centre in Birmingham, HOBU provides a hub for community engagement, organising, education and partnership building.

3. About BRIDGE

BRIDGE - Black Studies Research, Impact, Diaspora and Global Education Centre CIC exists to mobilise Black Studies for social transformation. Its work is organised through four interconnected pillars: Research, Education, Community and Global Impact. BRIDGE brings together Black scholarship, community knowledge and lived experience to challenge structural inequalities, strengthen communities and create meaningful social, institutional and policy change.

4. HOBU Portfolio - Operations and Organisational Development (70%)

1. Coordinate HOBU's day-to-day organisational operations and implement priorities agreed by the Board
2. Develop and maintain effective organisational systems, documentation, workplans and internal processes.
3. Coordinate Board meetings, papers, agendas, minutes, action tracking and governance records.
4. Support statutory and regulatory compliance, required filings, the risk register and policy review schedule.
5. Support membership administration, recruitment, retention, communications and engagement.
6. Coordinate HOBU programmes and events, including supplementary school activity in line with HOBU priorities.
7. Coordinate HOBU's website, communications calendar, social media and public enquiries.
8. Coordinate scheduling and use of the Garvey Education Centre and liaise with tenants and users of Harambee House.
9. Support funding applications, grant reporting, evaluation, impact reporting and organisational sustainability.
10. Subject to formal Board approval and HOBU's governing arrangements, undertake agreed Company Secretary functions.

5. BRIDGE Portfolio - Programme Management and Development (30%)

1. The BRIDGE component is programme-focused. BRIDGE's Directors retain strategic, intellectual, financial and organisational leadership.
2. Coordinate BRIDGE programmes from development through delivery, review and closure.
3. Translate programme objectives into practical project plans, timelines, workplans and delivery schedules.
4. Coordinate meetings, events, partners, consultants, contributors, milestones and deliverables.
5. Support programme budgets, expenditure monitoring, funding applications, funder reporting and mobilisation of newly funded projects.
6. Research: support research administration, community-engaged research activity, participant coordination, workshops, dissemination, evaluation and impact.
7. Education: support Black Studies education, Global Black Studies curriculum activity, short courses, workshops, facilitators, speakers and educational partnerships.
8. Community: support community programmes, partnerships, co-production, lived-experience involvement, events, participant engagement and feedback.
9. Global Impact: support international partnerships, Global Black Studies collaborations, knowledge exchange, international events and networks.
10. Support monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting at individual, community, institutional and structural levels.
11. Support delivery consistent with BRIDGE's Black Studies foundation, Liberation Engagement orientation and ICEPAR framework.

Shared Responsibilities

1. Maintain excellent working relationships across both organisations.
2. Contribute to funding applications, grant reporting, project coordination and organisational learning.
3. Maintain effective administrative and programme systems.
4. Represent HOBU and BRIDGE professionally and undertake relevant professional development.
5. Identify operational or programme risks and escalate them appropriately.
6. Work collaboratively across HOBU and BRIDGE, maintaining clear communication, accountability and agreed priorities.

8. Person Specification - Essential

1. Degree or equivalent level of education, professional learning or demonstrable equivalent experience.
2. Substantial experience of programme, project or operational coordination.
3. Experience working within community, voluntary, education, research, public or social-purpose settings.
4. Experience coordinating multiple workstreams and maintaining effective systems.
5. Strong administrative, planning, organisational, written, verbal and digital communication skills.
6. ·Experience working with external partners and stakeholders.
7. Ability to monitor deadlines, outputs, budgets and deliverables.
8. Understanding of the experiences and challenges facing Black communities and a demonstrable commitment to racial and social justice.
9. Ability to work independently, exercise judgement and identify when matters require escalation.

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9. Person Specification - Desirable

1. Experience of Black Studies, community engagement or culturally responsive programmes.
2. Programme or project management qualification or equivalent experience.
3. Experience supporting governance or Boards.
4. Research administration, monitoring and evaluation or impact reporting.
5. Grant-funded programmes, funding applications or funder reporting.
6. Partnership management, including international partnerships.
7. Membership organisations, community facilities or digital communications.

10. DBS and Safeguarding

Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory DBS check at the level appropriate to the activities undertaken. The successful candidate will be required to comply with safeguarding policies, complete required safeguarding training, understand reporting procedures and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

11. Performance and Review

• 3 months: induction, systems, workplans and initial priorities.
• 6 months: delivery against HOBU operational and BRIDGE programme objectives; review of workload allocation and development needs.
• 12 months: overall performance and impact; effectiveness of the shared-post model; funding position and continuation of the role.

How to apply

Please submit your current CV and a supporting statement of no more than two A4 pages addressing the four questions below by Thursday 1st October to jobs@blackunity.org.uk and copy in info@bridgeblackstudies.com 

Your responses should include specific examples from your employment, voluntary, community or lived experience. Applications that do not address all four questions will not be shortlisted.

1. Why are you interested in this role, and how do your values and experience align with the missions of HOBU and BRIDGE?
2. Please describe an example of a programme, project or community initiative you have successfully coordinated. What was your role, and what difference did your contribution make?
3. How would you manage priorities, communication and accountability while working across two collaborating organisations?
4. Please give an example of how you have engaged Black communities, young people, community organisations or external partners in an inclusive, respectful and effective way.