The Montgomery Development Education Centre Or Do We Put the Job As TWC Service to MDEC s1

The Montgomery Development Education Centre 79 Queen St Aberdeen AB10 1AN Tel: 01224 620111 Email: [email protected] Website: www.montgomerydec.org.uk

POST: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Start Date: 24th October 2011 or as soon as possible thereafter. Salary: £7.00 per hour. Hours of Work: 8 hours per week for an initial period of 9 months. It is anticipated that with sufficient funding and following satisfactory appraisal the post will be continued. Days and times of work negotiable within normal office hours. Holidays: Equivalent of six weeks per year pro rata paid holiday. Responsible to: Susan Jenkins, Education Officer, The Montgomery Development Education Centre Office Location: The Montgomery Development Education Centre (MDEC), 79 Queen Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1AN. Education Centre Information: The Montgomery Development Education Centre (MDEC) established in 1983, is the education section of the Third World Centre (TWC), Aberdeen. The Third World Centre was Aberdeen's original Fair Trade retailer and remains committed to fair trade and other global justice issues. It is a company limited by guarantee, with charitable status. One of the aims of the TWC is to create a greater awareness of the causes of global poverty It was particularly in order to fulfil this aim that the Montgomery Development Education Centre was established as the education section of the Third World Centre with the aim of the MDEC being: “to raise awareness and promote understanding of global concerns and to enable active global citizenship throughout the community”. Education for Global Citizenship - concerning global issues, interdependence, sustainable development, rights and responsibilities, causes of poverty, and equity / justice - is the paramount role of the centre, together with the equipping of people of all ages to take an active role in challenging and changing the inequalities present in our world. Locally MDEC education staff work with Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire schools, teachers, educationalists, Aberdeen University and the Aberdeen Fairtrade City Campaign. They also respond to general enquiries involving global education, fair trade and global justice issues. The centre has a library of teaching resources, books, photograph sets, DVDs etc and offers a library advice and loan service to all sectors. The MDEC is also an active member of the International Development Education Association of Scotland (IDEAS) – see www.ideas-forum.org.uk - a network of 30 organisations and individuals involved in Development Education and Education for Global Citizenship across Scotland. As such we are involved in developing national Global Citizenship initiatives and projects to support local activities. In addition the six independent Scottish Development Education / Global Learning Centres work collaboratively developing continuing professional development and global citizenship projects

Fuller information about our activities can be found on our website www.montgomerydec.org.uk or from MDEC staff

Development Education and Education for Global Citizenship are the processes that foster knowledge, skills and attitudes which promote justice and equality in a multicultural society and interdependent world.

JOB DESCRIPTION You will be responsible for the general administration of our education office and library, in co-operation with the MDEC education staff. You will have some financial duties including entering information into the accounts system, raising invoices and helping produce a variety of financial reports to support the work of the centre. In addition you will support the education staff with production of e-newsletters, reports and updating the website. This is a responsible and varied position and you need to have an organised and methodical approach to your work. Applicants should have good general IT skills including a sound working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages. Applicants must also be honest, reliable, flexible and able to work on their own initiative as well as enjoying being part of a small team, which may include volunteers. The duties of the post will be taken from the list below as and when required Office Management, Administrative Systems / Support for MDEC education staff

 To undertake typing, filing, posting, telephoning, emailing, taking messages and photocopying as required providing general administrative support for the education staff  To help with the production and formatting of reports, newsletters and email news-sheets for client groups and the updating of the website  To answer the telephone and liaise with centre visitors  To take responsibility for the maintenance and stock control of office and household supplies and services.  To maintain an archive collection of publicity materials linked to the work of the centre and the TWC  Occasional minute taking Library Management  To service the lending library - repairing and checking resources as required  To order new stock as requested by education officers and catalogue this following the systems in place  To follow up overdue resources  To make entries into the library database systems Financial Systems

 To assist education staff with input to MDEC financial databases ensuring the proper recording of all income and expenditure  To help prepare reports and statistical returns as required  To liaise with book-keeper  To pay cheques and monies into the bank  To manage the petty cash

Other  To ensure the confidentiality of databases and other aspects of the MDEC work  To work in a manner that reflects the interests and values of the centre and supports the objectives of the MDEC and TWC  To implement and understand TWC/MDEC procedures such as the Equal Opportunities Policy, Health & Safety Policy  To undertake any other general administrative duties as may be required within the level of the job descripti

PERSON SPECIFICATION Experience Important  Good IT skills and working experience of using the internet, email and Microsoft Office software packages  Experience of general administration duties (e.g. telephone answering, photocopying, filing, drafting letters)  Experience of working within a team and prioritising own workload to meet deadlines  Experience of dealing with enquiries by telephone or face-to-face Desirable  Experience in working in a small office or within the voluntary sector  Interest or Involvement in Fair Trade, Sustainable Development and / or other Global Justice issues  Minute taking You must have the following personal qualities  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including good telephone manner  Ability to manage multiple tasks  Flexible approach to work  Ability to take responsibility for the quality of your own work  Positive attitude

The post is for 9 months initially, subject to satisfactory progress review. It is anticipated that with sufficient funding and following satisfactory appraisal the post will be continued. To apply for this post please send a letter of application, along with a personal C.V., to Susan Jenkins at the address below. The application letter should contain the usual personal contact details, including if possible an email address, and information relating to the post requirements. This may comprise information on relevant educational achievements, work and voluntary experience, additional skills on offer and any further details as to why you would be suitable for this post - please refer to the job description and person specification. Please also supply the names and contact details of two people who would be willing to supply a reference. If you are or have been recently employed one should be your current or a recent employer. If you do not wish them to be contacted prior to interview please indicate this in the letter. Informal enquiries about this post should be directed to the MDEC education staff Tel 01224 620111 or email [email protected] The Third World Centre is an Equal Opportunities employer. A decision to interview and employ will be based on the suitability of the candidate regardless of age, ethnic origin, sex or disability.

Closing date for receipt of applications is Thursday 22nd September 2011 either by email to: [email protected] or by post to: Mrs Susan Jenkins The Montgomery Development Education Centre 79 Queen St Aberdeen AB10 1AN

Interviews will be held on Monday 3rd October 2011.