County Commissioner of Birmingham

Regional Commissioner for West Midlands England, via a search group process responsible to the UK Headquarters Appointments Advisory Committee

Regional Commissioner for West Midlands England

District Commissioners, Deputy County Commissioners, Assistant County Commissioners, County Training Manager, and all other County appointments, however it is expected that line management for other roles are delegated to Deputies/Assistants.

Deputy County Commissioners, Assistant County Commissioners, County Chairman, County Network Scout Commissioner, members of the County Executive Committee and its subcommittees, District Commissioners, County Training Manager, County Scout Active Support Managers, members of the Regional Services Team, other County Commissioners in the Region, Chief Commissioners of England, members of the local community, schools and other youth organisations in the County.

• Ensure that every Beaver Scout Colony, Cub Scout Pack, Scout Troop, Explorer Scout Unit and Scout Network within the County is able to deliver a high-quality programme which is challenging, relevant and rewarding for every young person
• Provide proactive line management, including coaching, mentoring and guidance to District Commissioners as well as other adult volunteers in the County who directly report to you including setting objectives for their work, holding regular one-to-one meetings and reviews.
• Build and maintain a sense of County team by holding regular team meetings with the District Commissioners, Deputy and Assistant County Commissioners, County Training Manager and other appropriate volunteers within your County team to collaborate and provide peer support.
• Lead a safe, open and transparent culture around keeping young people and adults safe through our Yellow Card and key policies.
• Ensure the timely recruitment and appointment of new District Commissioners where required and ensuring that interim arrangements are put in place for any vacant posts.
• Together with the District Commissioners, agree the priorities for the County and produce a plan to deliver these to meet The Scout Association’s vision and strategic objectives.
• Ensure that problems within the County are resolved so that an effective volunteering culture is encouraged and District Commissioners and Group Scout Leaders feel supported to deal with challenging issues, including complaints in a timely manner.
• Ensure that the County has an adequate team of supported and appropriate adults working effectively together and with others to meet the Scouting needs of the area.
• Ensure that problems within the County are resolved so that excellent Scouting is provided to young people in the County.
• Act as an ex-officio trustee as a member of the County Executive Committee, and an ex-officio member of the Council of The Scout Association.
• Play an active part within the West Midlands England regional team by attending up to three meetings per year for County Commissioners, led by the Regional Commissioner and twice yearly Team England meetings for all County Commissioners to contribute to the development of Scouting within England as part of the Headquarters team.

• County Commissioners are required to validate the learning for our manager and supporter volunteer training scheme, completion of which is recognised through the achievement of a Wood Badge for the County Commissioner role. As a key leadership position within Scouts we expect new County Commissioners to set a strong example and complete this required training within their first year.
• County Commissioners must be eligible for charity trustee status (as a member of the County Executive Committee).
• It is expected that whilst volunteering for this role you will undertake regulated activity.
• County Commissioners are also expected to actively contribute as a member of their regional team and Team England, this includes attending between three to six regional team meetings and two All Team England meetings per year. As an ex-officio member of the Council of The Scout Association, County Commissioners are expected to vote on matters presented to Council including elect trustees to the Board and attend the Annual General Meeting, usually held on the first weekend in September.

The initial length of appointment is at the discretion of the Regional Commissioner, through discussion with the appointee, and is usually for a period of three years initially up to a maximum of five before a formal appointment review. County Commissioners may complete a maximum of two terms of five years, so no more than a total of ten years in the role. Renewal and continuation of appointment is at the discretion of the Regional Commissioner and appointment reviews may be conducted at any time at the request of the role-holder and/or Regional Commissioner.

Note: Many of the tasks for which the County Commissioner is responsible may be delegated to others in the County, including a Deputy County Commissioner, if appointed. Whilst the new appointee will inherit an existing team of volunteers in key County appointments, it is expected that new County Commissioners will review and reorganise their team’s objectives and roles as they see fit.

• Ability to lead, manage and motivate people in a voluntary environment. Essential
• Understanding of the challenges of working in the voluntary sector. Desirable
• Experience of working with young people and/or community work with adult groups. Desirable
• Experience of volunteering in a manager/supporter role in Scouting (e.g. Group Scout Leader, District Commissioner or other District/County role). Desirable

• Excellent ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing including ability to speak and present publicly in a clear, articulate and motivating way. Essential
• Ability to provide advice and guidance effectively to others. Essential
• Ability to provide inspirational strategic leadership for the County Essential
• Ability to contribute to strategy development and identify practical actions to achieve strategic objectives. Essential
• Ability to effectively chair meetings. Essential
• Can build, maintain and facilitate effective working relationships with a wide range of people. Essential
• Ability to enable others to identify issues, clarify objectives, develop attainable objectives and gain the necessary skills and confidence to work as an effective team. Essential
• Ability to negotiate compromises. Essential
• Plans, manages and monitors own tasks and time. Essential
• Can construct and implement long-term plans that improve and expand the Scouting offered to young people, and identify any training, resources and other needs required to undertake this work, Essential
• Ability to use technology, especially mobile email, to carry out a range of tasks (confident in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint). Essential

• An understanding of the needs of adult volunteers. Essential
• Flexible approach. Essential
• Self-motivated. Essential
• Able to work as part of a team and promote good teamwork. Essential
• Resourceful, energetic and enthusiastic about the job. Essential
• Acceptance of the fundamentals of the Scout Movement. Essential

You can apply for the role yourself using the application form, or nominate someone else using the nomination form.

Nominated people are under no commitment to apply unless they wish to.

A template version of the form is available within the application pack.

Shortlisting will be based solely on the information provided by each candidate in their application form. All applications should address the requirements of the role, as laid out in the role description and person specification.

The closing date for applications is 23:59  on 22 May 2022.

Interviews will be held on the evening of 13 June 2022 in Birmingham.

Dan Potter, Regional Commissioner, West Midlands England

Email: Daniel.Potter@scouts.org.uk

or

Niki Cody, Area Growth & Development Manager (Midlands)

Email: nicola.cody@scouts.org.uk / Phone: 07779433928