Open Coalition Project Co-ordinator

• Role title: Open Coalition Project Co-ordinator
• Reporting to: Head of External Relations
• 14 hours per week for six months (with the potential to extend, depending on funding)
• Salary: £26,000 pa (pro rata) (This works out at approximately £5,200 for the six months)
• Benefits: 25 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays, stakeholder pension
• Location: London / Flexible (remote working possible)

About the project

This project has been initially funded by Wikimedia UK and will support the development of a stronger network of organisations working in the areas of open knowledge and open access. The appointed person will be working to develop this network on behalf of all related organisations and they will have input into the work. However, the post will be directly managed by Wikimedia UK. You can see some of the earlier pieces of work related to the project here, here and here

To do this, the Open Coalition Project Co-ordinator will need to:

• Have a thorough understanding of issues relating to open knowledge, open access, open source and open content licences
• Lead on the development of a small event for organisations working in this space, including Wikimedia UK, Open Knowledge Foundation, Creative Commons, Mozilla, Open Rights Group and OpenStreetMap among others
• Act as a conduit for organisations acting in the open space, facilitating discussion and collaboration
• Lead on the creation of a website and booklet explaining what it means to be an open organisation, what the “open sector” is and the benefits it brings
• Build a relationship of trust with the group and the wider open community
• Develop and deliver sessions about the open coalition at Wikimania in London, August 2014

Key responsibilities

Management duties

• Work with the Head of External Relations at Wikimedia UK and appropriate people from other open organisations and communities to develop an informal network of groups of shared interest
• Create a matrix of open organisations, their interests and activities/ goals and objectives and build on existing and open resources
• Identify ways in which open organisations complement each other. Identify activities currently in progress that overlap or aim for similar outcomes. Explore ways in which existing activities could be coordinated to achieve a larger outcome by combining forces.
• To explore opportunities for collaboration across the open sector and facilitate these collaborations
• Describe joint initiatives and scope out effort, resources, and budget needed along with tangible deliverables or results to be accomplished
• Prepare regular, lightweight, publicly available reports to the group on the delivery of the project and how it can be developed further
• Encourage and promote the involvement of volunteers from all communities, ensuring that they are provided with opportunities to support and participate in the work of the group.
• Maintain and develop appropriate content aggregator(s) to share materials related to the project
• Create and maintain means of communicating with the members and community including blogging and social media
• Work with the group to collaboratively create and disseminate appropriate promotional materials
• Create, develop and deliver sessions workshop at Wikimania London in August 2014

Project Management

• Lead the development of an event for open organisations, from sourcing a venue to arranging a compelling programme
• Develop an effective and evolving project plan
• Be the first point of call for related enquiries
• Lead on the creation of a booklet and website explaining the concepts of open and the practicalities of being an open organisation (to be jointly supported and badged by all groups in the open coalition)

Person Specification

Experience

• Proven experience of working with an organisation in the open sector (whether as an employee or active volunteer)
• Strong understanding of issues surrounding open knowledge, open access, open source and open licences
• Experience of working effectively with a team of volunteers
• Experience of collaboration with multiple organisations with similar aims and values (desirable).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to manage own workload and work independent of close management
• Passionate and knowledgeable about the open movement
• The energy and enthusiasm to drive forward a large collaborative project
• Good people management skills, with the ability to involve and inspire people working in different organisations, settings and locations
• An understanding of internet technologies, including social media.
• Excellent project management abilities
• Flexible approach, with the capability to be able to identify and manage opportunities and risk
• Logical, clear thinking, diplomatic and patient approach
• Understanding of working with and managing volunteers; the ability to learn quickly and integrate with a diverse open community
• Ability to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work flexible hours and locations as required
• Undertake training as required
• Knowledge of other languages (desirable).

How to apply

To apply for this position please complete this application form (Open Office version here and Microsoft Word version here). Please send completed applications to Richard Nevell – richard.nevell@wikimedia.org.uk – before the closing date of 5pm on Monday 3 February. All communications relating to this job description will be dealt with in confidence. If you'd like to discuss this role, please call Stevie Benton on 020 7065 0993 for an informal chat.

Background information

• Equal Opportunities: Wikimedia UK has a commitment to achieving equality of opportunity in both services to our members and clients, and in the employment of people, and expects all employees and volunteers to understand and promote its policies in their own work. Our office is fully accessible, and all reasonable adjustments will be made to ensure equality of opportunity for applicants, employees and volunteers.
• Fire, Health and Safety: Wikimedia UK is committed to a healthy and safe working environment and expects all its employees to consider and integrate health and safety in all work activities.
• Data Protection: Wikimedia UK holds sensitive data on its members, volunteers, donors and those using its services. All employees are required to maintain an awareness of data protection responsibilities and to execute all relevant duties with tact, discretion and due respect to confidentiality of clients, members and staff.