• Title: StopWatch Community Engagement Coordinator
• Conditions: Full Time, fixed term 11 months
• Accountable to: StopWatch Coordinating Group & Release Executive Director

StopWatch is a coalition of academics, NGOs, lawyers and young people that works to:

• Promote effective, accountable and fair policing
• Inform the public about the use of stop and search
• Develop and share research on stop and search and alternatives
• Organise awareness raising events and forums
• Provide legal support challenging stop and search

StopWatch is moving to towards establishing ourselves as an independent organisation in early 2015. During this period of transition StopWatch will be hosted by Release - the national centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law (http://www.release.org.uk/).

The role:

The Coordinator will lead on an exciting new project which will seek to work with black and minority ethnic groups to advocate for reform of stop and search at a local level. In particular, the Coordinator will work with local groups around the next Parliamentary election in May 2015, helping them to brief local candidates across all parties on the impact of stop and search on the local community.

The successful candidate will be required, under direction, to:

• communicate and liaise with stakeholders involved in the project;
• consult with local communities to understand local issues and experiences;
• identify and build links with relevant community groups;
• effectively engage with impacted communities, policy makers and other stakeholders;
• develop relevant materials and briefing papers;
• support local groups in engaging with local decision makers.

This is an opportunity for someone who has effective communication and networking skills as well as knowledge and experience of working with BME community groups. The position requires someone who cares deeply about the impact of stop and search and wishes to work with a team of people who are dedicated to changing policy and practices within this area. We particularly welcome applications from BME communities.

Complete details of the position are available by downloading the application information pack on our website:

http://www.stop-watch.org/news-comment/story/stopwatch-is-recruiting

Good luck!