Hours: 21 per week (0.6FTE)
Salary: circa £18,600 (based on circa £31,000 for full time/35hpw)
Contract: Initially to March 2028 with possible extension
Location: Based in Cardington, with travel within Bedfordshire and our Community Rail Partnership areas
Beds RCC is the host organisation for two Community Rail Partnerships – Marston Vale and Beds & Herts. This post-holder will work primarily within the Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership.
The opportunity
If you are you committed to community development and passionate about delivering high quality community projects, we’d love to hear from you. If you already have an interest in community transport and the rail industry, we can give you the opportunity to make a real difference in your dream job!
As the Officer, you will help deliver the Community Rail Partnership Activity Plan, containing a range of community projects.
You will also set up Station Friends Groups along the Thameslink ‘Beds & Herts) route be-tween Bedford & St Albans City and support existing Station Friends Groups.
You will work with communities to increase confidence in rail travel, increase opportunities for travel by sustainable modes to rail stations, helping community rail to flourish.
The Officer will be employed and supported by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BRCC) and will be accountable to the Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership (B&HCRP) Steering Group for the delivery of its day-to-day activities.
By joining the B&HCRP you will become part of the Community Rail family – a unique and growing national movement comprising 75 community rail partnerships and 1,300 volunteer groups that help communities get the most from their railways. Each year community rail pro-duces £129m in social value from funding of just £7.2m – a social return of £17.89 for every £1 invested.
The candidate
As the CRP’s only dedicated member of staff, you will be a self-starter, able to act on your own initiative in developing and delivering projects in liaison with key stakeholders.
You will need some relevant experience including a track record in project delivery, although equally important will be your communication, partnership working and organisational skills.
You will have experience of project management and be able to communicate confidently to diverse communities by various means.
You should have the ability to build relationships with ease across a wide range of organisa-tions including Train Operating Companies and Local Authorities.
You will need the ability to travel independently around the area, including to BRCC’s head of-fice in Cardington.
About the Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership
Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs) were developed as part of the Government’s Community Rail Development Strategy to act as a bridge between the railway and local communities, with the aim of increasing rail use and supporting social and economic development. Community Rail Network, the national umbrella body, now has over 75 CRPs in membership, covering a third of the UK rail network. Please see Community Rail >
The Beds & Herts CRP serves eight stations on the Thameslink route between Bedford & St. Albans City. Please see B&HCRP >
About Beds RCC
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (Beds RCC) is the leading community development agency working across and around Bedfordshire, with a proven track record built up over70years. BRCC serves as the Rural Community Council (RCC) for Bedfordshire, one of 37 RCCs in England working together under their national umbrella body, ACRE.
Beds RCC has extensive experience of CRPs and working with the Train Operating Companies, having hosted the Marston Vale CRP (Bedford to Bletchley) since its formation in 2006 and Beds & Herts CRP since its inception in 2018. The successful candidate will receive expert guidance and support.
Recruitment Process
To apply, please send:
- A completed Job Application Form
- A completed Diversity & Inclusion Monitoring Form
to janice.janes@bedsrcc.org.uk and stephen.sleight@bedsrcc.org.uk, or by post to BRCC, The Old School, Cardington, Bedford, MK44 3SX.
Application Deadline: This is an open application window as we seek to appoint the right candidate as soon as possible. We reserve the right to end the application process at any time.
Interviews: In-person interviews will be held at our Head Office at The Old School, Cardington, MK44 3SX.
For an informal chat about the post, please contact Stephen Sleight on 01234 832645 or at stephen.sleight@bedsrcc.org.uk.