Partnerships and Network Coordinator

Role Title	Partnerships and Network Co-ordinator
Contract Type	Freelance / self-employed consultancy
Hours	22.5 hours per week (3 days/week), flexible working pattern
Day Rate	£22 per hour
Location	Remote / home-based, preferably South West England. Occasional travel to Bristol and London required.
Reporting to	Co-Chairs of Trustees
Contract Duration	To March 2027, with scope for renewal subject to funding and performance
Start Date	Mid-July 2026

1. Background

The South West International Development Network (SWIDN) is the membership network bringing together people and organisations from the South West who are working to tackle global injustice internationally. Founded in 2005 and registered as a charity in 2017, SWIDN has over 100 members and a wider community of 5,000 people across the UK’s South West and beyond.

SWIDN is currently delivering a grant-funded project supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), focused on building the capacity of civil society organisations (CSOs) in the South West to engage effectively in international development.

SWIDN is seeking a skilled and motivated freelance Partnerships and Network Coordinator to manage the core running of the network, support FCDO grant delivery, and provide governance and administrative support to the Board of Trustees.

SWIDN is committed to equality and diversity and encourages applications from people with lived experience of countries considered lower or middle income, people identifying as from the Global Majority, from LGBTQI+ communities, people living with disabilities, and people from diverse socioeconomic and educational backgrounds.

2. Role Purpose

The Partnerships and Network Coordinator will be responsible for the delivery of SWIDN’s core functions across three interconnected areas: Member Services; FCDO grant delivery and monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL); and governance and administrative support. Working 22.5 hours per week, the postholder will report to the Co-Chairs of Trustees and play a key role in supporting SWIDN’s strategic direction and reputation as a trusted network.

3. Duties and Responsibilities

The following responsibilities are scoped to a 3-day (22.5 hrs/wk) working week. Hours are indicative averages; seasonal variation is expected, particularly around the Annual Conference and grant reporting deadlines.

3.1 Member Services

Curate and coordinate a programme of member events, including networking opportunities, workshops, and working group meetings, ensuring they are well-promoted, professionally delivered, and evaluated.
Lead on the planning and delivery of SWIDN’s Annual Conference, including venue or platform management, speaker coordination, promotion, participant communications, and post-event evaluation.
Review and sign off SWIDN communications prior to publication, including newsletters, social media posts, and website content, ensuring accuracy, tone, and alignment with SWIDN’s brand and values.

3.2 FCDO Grant Delivery and MEL

Support effective delivery of SWIDN’s FCDO-funded project in accordance with agreed workplans, budgets, and compliance requirements.
Lead on MEL data collection relating to grant activities, including administering data collection tools, coordinating with event participants and stakeholders, and maintaining accurate records of participation and engagement.
Lead on MEL reporting, drawing on memberships data and analysis provided by the Finance and Membership Manager, to prepare narrative accounts of progress, findings, and lessons learned for FCDO and the Board
Provide decision support to the Co-Chairs and Board on grant-related matters, including progress against targets, emerging risks, and adaptive management.
Manage day-to-day relationships with the grant manager and any relevant FCDO contacts, escalating issues to the Co-Chairs as appropriate.
Prepare timely and accurate quarterly narrative reports for FCDO, ensuring alignment with grant requirements and SWIDN’s commitments.
Lead on production of the annual project report, synthesising outputs, outcomes, and learning across the grant period.
Provide light-touch team coordination and support as required, including liaison with any associates, volunteers, or sub-contracted individuals working on the project.

3.3 Governance and Partnerships

Work closely with the Co-Chairs of Trustees to maintain and develop new sector collaborations.
Prepare Board meeting pre-reads and agendas in consultation with the Co-Chairs, circulating papers in a timely manner.
Attend Board meetings, take accurate minutes, and ensure follow-up actions are tracked and communicated.
Oversee financial management and account to Trustee meetings on financial position.
Provide regular executive reporting to the Co-Chairs, including updates on operational matters, financial position, and grant progress.
In liaison with the Co-chairs and Trustees, ensure compliance with relevant Charity Commission regulations and SWIDN’s governing documents.
Implement and keep under review SWIDN’s organisational policies, flagging required updates to the Board and drafting revisions as needed.

3.4 Line Management

The Partnerships and Network Coordinator has line management responsibility for the Finance and Membership Coordinator and the Communications Manager. Line management responsibilities include:

Lead on recruitment processes for staff and associate roles, including drafting job descriptions and terms of reference, coordinating shortlisting and interview processes, and onboarding new appointees.
Manage the contracting process for freelance and associate staff, including preparing and issuing contracts, tracking deliverables, approving invoices, and ensuring compliance with SWIDN’s procurement and HR policies.
Escalate HR matters to the Co-Chairs as appropriate.

4. Person Specification

E = Essential | D = Desirable

Attribute	Description	E/D
Values and commitment	Genuine commitment to SWIDN’s mission of supporting civil society collaboration to address global inequalityUnderstanding of and respect for the diversity of SWIDN’s membershipCommitment to SWIDN’s values and practice relating to decolonisation and antiracism	E
Sector knowledge	Knowledge of the UK international development and/or civil society sectorFamiliarity with FCDO-funded programming or similar donor-funded project environments	E
Project and grant management	Experience managing donor-funded projects, including reporting and compliance	E
Communication skills	Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to produce clear, accurate content for a range of audiencesExcellent relationship management and networking skills, including confidence to manage senior relationships and lead on high level policy engagement. Experience of managing digital communications, including websites, email and social media	E
Event management	Experience planning and delivering events, both online and in personExperience managing annual conferences or equivalent large-scale member events	D
Governance and administration	Experience supporting a Board of Trustees or similar governance body, including preparation of papers, minutes, and follow-up actionsFamiliarity with UK charity governance and Charity Commission requirementsExperience working with a small or micro organisation, adapting where needed and undertaking a variety of tasks as and when required	D
Financial administration	Experience maintaining financial records and producing reportsFamiliarity with Quickbooks or similar accounting software (training available)	D
Working style	Highly organised, detail-oriented, and able to manage a complex and varied workload with minimal supervisionProactive self-starter with strong initiative and the ability to work independentlyCollaborative and collegial approach to working with trustees, members, and stakeholders	E
Networks and location	Good existing connections in the South West international development and/or civil society sectorBased in the South West, preferably within reach of Bristol	D

5. Key Relationships

Co-Chairs of Trustees — primary line of reporting and accountability
SWIDN Team – light touch line management support to 1-2 other team members
Board of Trustees — governance support, board meeting preparation, and executive reporting
SWIDN members — member services, events coordination, and communications
FCDO grant manager — grant compliance, reporting, and relationship management
External accountant / Treasurer — Annual Accounts and financial oversight
Suppliers, venues, and associate consultants — as required