About our Programme Assistant role
Spread the Word is looking for a highly enthusiastic and committed individual who can join us at this critical and exciting time as we bring in new programmes of work and re-imagine our future programme of activities.
The role will provide vital administrative support across our programme of activity, including: the London Writers Awards, regular programme of workshops and events, City of Stories Home, Deptford Literature Festival, the London Writers Network, Free Reads and Young People’s Laureate programme.
Key Info:
Salary: £25,000
Contract: Full time (35 hour per week), 12 month contract with potential to extend subject to funding
Apply by 5pm on Wednesday 1 December
Interview date: Tuesday 14 December
Start date: ASAP
About Spread the Word
Spread the Word is London’s writer development agency, a charity and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. Founded in 1998 by Bernardine Evaristo and Ruth Borthwick, we are here to help London’s writers make their mark on the page, the screen and in the world.
Spread the Word has led the literature and publishing sector in commissioning research that is both ground-breaking and change-making. In 2020 we launched Rethinking ‘Diversity’ in Publishing by Dr Anamik Saha and Dr Sandra van Lente, Goldsmiths, University of London, in partnership with The Bookseller and Words of Colour. We are currently working with CRIPtic Arts on Access to Literature research which will provide data and evidence to support change, the development of best practice and open up opportunities for D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent writers and audiences.
We have a recognised expertise and track record in the development and management of schemes for diverse writers which have equity and social justice at their heart, including our London Writers Awards programme which is increasing the range stories we get to read and hear and recently launched Wellcome Collection x Spread the Word Awards for non-fiction writers.
Recognising the impact Covid-19 on the communities we work with and for, we committed to making our work free and accessible and paying artists and creative practitioners. We moved all our work online including our regular programme of workshops and events to build community and provide space for creativity, ran the first online writers retreat in the UK for D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent writers in partnership with CRIPtic Arts, supported the Inclusive Indies crowdfunder with Knights of and Jacaranda Books and engaged 1000 young people in Lewisham with creative activities through delivering creative care packs and online activity led by our Young People’s Laureate Theresa Lola in partnership with Youth First.
We are currently undertaking a strategic review as we reflect on the past 18 months and how our work can continue to make a difference for writers and communities and respond to the on-going impacts of Covid-19 and the systemic inequalities many in our communities are facing.
Alongside our regular programme of events, workshops and agent call outs, our current work includes: Runways in partnership with Ink Sweat & Tears and the University of Glasgow; This is Our Place nature writing project in partnership with the London Wildlife Trust; CRIPtic x Spread the Word Salon for D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent writers; Free Reads for low income writers in partnership with The Literary Consultancy and The Stories We Tell Ourselves in partnership with Melbourne, UNESCO City of Literature and The Wheeler Centre as part of the British Council’s UK/ Australia Season.
Our work from January 2022 includes City of Stories Home run in partnership with London Libraries which will engage communities across London with free creative writing and reading opportunities and in March 2022 we will be running the Deptford Literature Festival as part of Lewisham Borough of Culture.
How to Apply
Please download and read the application pack, which contains the job description, person specification, and more context about Spread the Word.
Job Information Pack – Word Document Version
Job Information Pack – PDF Version
Job Information Pack – Large Print, Word Document Version
Job Information Pack – Audio File
Job Information Pack – British Sign Language
Applications must be submitted via Spread the Word’s Submittable by 5pm on Wednesday 1 December. Please note that you will need to have or sign up for a Submittable account to make your application. Submittable is free to sign up to.
The link to apply is: spreadtheword.submittable.com/submit/22b5d233-0116-4928-88da-d5936439e60c/spread-the-word-programme-assistant-job-application
If you think you are a good fit for the role, please send us via our Submittable form on the link above:
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A letter of no more than two sides or one 3-minute maximum audio or audio-visual recording explaining why you are a good fit for the role and how you would approach the responsibilities – you can record this on a phone or similar device.
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A current written CV or one 3-minute maximum audio or audio-visual recording telling us about your work experience, education and training to date – this should give us a sense of how your previous experience makes you a good fit for this role.
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Complete some Equal Opportunities Monitoring questions on the Submittable Form. In order to monitor the effectiveness of our equal opportunities policy we ask applicants to provide us with information which could help us identify possible direct and indirect barriers to appointment. Any information provided on the Form is anonymous and confidential and is not part of the selection procedure.
If you require the application information in alternative formats, if you would prefer to apply using an alternative format to our Submittable form, or wish to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact [email protected]
A BSL interpretation of the Job Information pack is coming soon.
No recruitment agencies, please.
Published 11 November 2021