Role Summary
Join our team working on our flagship School Plates programme, driving healthier, more sustainable school menus with a focus on London and surrounding areas, alongside a supportive and dedicated team committed to creating positive change.
The programme continues to go from strength to strength. We’re currently supporting over a third of all local authorities in the UK that cater for over 7,600 schools, feeding over 1.25 million children every day. So far, we’ve been responsible for swapping over 37 million school meals from meat-based to meat-free or plant-based.
This role is focused on London and the South. We are already supporting over half of all local authorities in the capital. We are entering the final year of an ambitious three-year plan to be working with over 50% of all UK local authorities, influencing the meals for 2 million children daily by the end of 2025.
Are you passionate and driven about improving school food in London? Can you match our ambition? You’ll support the Programme Manager and Head of Programme, carrying out a wide range of tasks, including managing existing relationships, recruiting new partners, providing advice on menus, getting involved with recipe development, and using your culinary skills to train caterers in their kitchens.
We’re looking for someone to join our team for 4 days a week but are open to applicants looking for flexible working hours including, potentially, 3 days a week.
Job Details
Reports to: Programme Manager UK
Department: INT Operations
Direct reports: None
Location: Remote (home-based in, or close to, London)
Hours: 32h per week (0.8 FTE)
Salary: £32,000 p/a for 1 FTE of 40h/week (i.e. £25,600 for 0.8 FTE)
Responsibilities
- Broaden the reach of the School Plates programme across London and the South of England.
- Outreach to school caterers (primarily local authorities and contract caterers, but also multi-academy trusts and individual schools as needed) to engage new partners, and manage and develop these relationships.
- Work with the Awards Coordinator to review menus and deliver evidence-based advice to our catering partners, supporting them on their awards journey.
- Deliver Plant-based Cooking in Schools Workshops (in-person and online), including organising and promoting sessions, liaising with partners and attendees, delivering the sessions and collating feedback.
- Work closely with other Chef Trainers to plan and create ‘Plant-based Cooking in Schools’ online course content, including videos and learning materials.
- Contribute to ideas for new plant-based recipes for schools.
- Support our impact measurement work for ongoing programme evaluation, supporter communications, and funding proposals.
- Develop an excellent understanding of the school food landscape, structures of school food provision, and the nutritional guidelines for school food in England.
- Update and maintain an accurate database of activity with our partners.
- Represent ProVeg UK on calls, in meetings and at events, including some public speaking.
- Work closely with Communications Manager to produce engaging new content, including video content, for social media, and the website.
- Support the Programme Manager and Head of Programme with any other projects or tasks, as needed.
Qualifications
Essential:
- Proven track record in relationship management.
- Experienced in planning and delivering plant-based cooking workshops to groups.
- Excellent communication skills with an ability to write effectively and be a confident presenter.
- Flexible and agile approach, with a willingness to be a true team player and fill gaps as needed.
- Proactive with initiative and drive.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Solution-focused and resilient.
- Confident in creating basic spreadsheets and slide decks.
- Ability to work well under pressure and manage time effectively in a fast-paced and small but fast-growing non-profit work environment.
- Ability to work well unsupervised with experience of working in remote teams with a reliable internet connection.
- Passionate about food systems change.
- Alignment with our vision and mission.
- Based in London and able to attend meetings, events, and training to represent the team and programme in and around the capital.
- Willing to travel to events outside of London for occasional workshops and events.
Desirable:- Experience of working within school food.
- Experience of working in a culinary setting.
- Experience of managing projects.
- Experience of liaising with local authorities, schools, or other public sector bodies.
- Experience of working in the food, health or environmental sector.
- Experience in the field of nutrition, including an interest in plant-based nutrition.
- Experience of using customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
Benefits of working with us
- A strong organisational focus on personal development, with a designated training budget.
- Provision of a work laptop.
- Flexible, trust-based working arrangements and home-office arrangements.
- Career development support.
- Mindfulness programme - free Headspace account.
- We are a workplace that encourages everyone to bring their whole selves to work. We are an inclusive workplace for our diverse employees around the world.
- And, last but not least, become part of a great team and work with us towards a world where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet!
When?
The recruitment process consists of two rounds: 1): an online trial task; 2): an interview with the Programme Manager and Head of Programme.
- Application deadline: 27 December at 5pm
- Start date: From February 2025
Further information
Please submit your application using our online form, including your CV and cover letter. By submitting your application you agree that your personal data will be processed by and shared with our UK entity (ProVeg C.I.C.) and German entity (ProVeg e.V.).
