Join BSO: District Youth Commissioner (Southern Europe)

Aged 18-25? Either based in the UK or in our District?

Could you drive our Youth Shaped strategy by volunteering as Southern Europe's District Youth Commissioner?

Being youth shaped is at the heart of what we do in Scouting. Our programmes and decisions are shaped by young people, working in partnership with volunteers.

You don’t have to have been involved in Scouting previously, you may have relevant experience elsewhere in your life. What is crucial is that you have the passion, energy and time available to be a valued member of our District Team, supporting our young people within their Scout Groups/Units throughout Southern Europe.

Think of the difference you’ll make to young people and yourself!

Youth commissioners help young people to make their voices heard and improve scouts for the better. You’ll be working to help more young people get the opportunity to speak up and take the lead – skills and experiences that set them up for the future. You’ll also get to learn plenty of new skills yourself in the process.

Responsibilities Include

• Supporting volunteers to put the views and ideas of young people at the heart of their section’s programme.
• Promote participation in the YouShape award in the district, as well as top awards.
• Help to ensure that young people get regular opportunities to take the lead, including promoting participation in the young leader’s scheme.
• Inspire and motivate young people in the District, ensuring they know about all the different opportunities available to them in scouting, including when they reach 18 years old.
• Influence decisions that are made in the District as a member of the District Executive Committee to ensure that young people are at the heart of decisions.

What you will get from this role

• Support when you need it. The District Commissioner will support you to set objectives and support you in the goal of improving local youth shaped scouting. The UK HQ Youth Commissioner team run inductions, events, webinars and more.
• Experience and skills development that will look seriously impressive on a CV or university application – things like teamwork, communication, and organisation, but also experience with governance, working with young people and leading others.
• A management training programme that builds on your existing skills and knowledge with some elements counting towards externally recognised awards.

Role Description and Person Specification

A PDF version of the Role Description and Person Specification can be found here!

District Youth Commissioner – All about the role

Outline:
The role is to ensure that young people from 6 – 25 years are involved and engaged in every decision that shapes their Scouting experience locally and to empower young people to share their ideas and have a meaningful voice in planning, implementing, and reviewing their programme and opportunities.

Responsible to:
District Commissioner

Responsible for:
Deputy District Youth Commissioner(s) (if appointed)

Main Contacts:
As an integral member of the District Leadership Team, the District Youth Commissioner works in partnership with the other team members. You will also have direct contact with young people in the District and the adult volunteers who work with them on a weekly basis.
Note: due to the geography of our District (Groups in France, Italy and Spain) contact will predominantly be remote with some opportunities to meet teams face to face at District events.

Appointment requirements:
18-25 years old at the time of appointment. Must successfully complete the appointment process (including acceptable personal enquiries, acceptance of The Scout Association’s policies and eligibility to become a charitable Trustee). During the five months of Provisional Appointment, the relevant Getting Started modules must be completed. A Wood Badge must be completed during the Appointment, and ongoing safeguarding and safety training must be completed.

Main Tasks:

• Champion, encourage and lead the work to ensure that, by 2025, scouting in the District is shaped by young people in partnership with adults. This will be achieved by working in partnership and collaboration and with the District Commissioner, District Chairperson and District Team.
• Support youth shaped scouting in the programme.
• Embed young people in local decision making.
• Develop young people in the District.
• Wider engagement with the work of the District.

Note: Some of the tasks for which the District Youth Commissioner is responsible may be delegated to others in the District.

District Youth Commissioner – All about you checklist

Are you?

• Aged 18 – 25 years old
• 
  

Can you?

• Work with young people and adults
• Lead and motivate teams
• Communicate well (including presenting and facilitating)
• Take on responsibility and meet deadlines
• Accept the policies, rules of The Scouts and Scouting fundamentals
• Become a member of the Scouts (if not already), take the Promise and wear Uniform
• Promote and implement our youth-shaped strategy

What’s not essential.

• Do you have some previous experience of Scouting? Great, but it’s not a problem if you don’t.
• A passion for working with and on behalf of young people is the most important thing here.

There are now over 600 Youth Commissioners doing amazing things. Ready to join them?

If you have questions about the role, send a message to Bob, our District Commissioner

To apply for the role, simply fill out your details below by Thursday 31st March – 12pm (UK) and then we’ll be in touch for the next step in the process.