Showing posts with label #orms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #orms. Show all posts

Thursday, 16 February 2017

New projects requiring volunteers with #ProBonoOR


Please find details of a new project below with Hestia, plus several other projects we are also recruiting volunteers for.  

Hestia

Project summary:
Project: The Hestia Approach Performance & Impact Framework - To create a performance and impact framework to measure the impact of the Hestia Approach transformation project within the organisation and upon strategic objectives
Time commitment: approx. 10 days, though this will need to be checked by the volunteer in the light of information gathered at their first meeting
Location: London
Please read project scope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Wednesday 28th February.

Information about the organisation:
Charitable objectives:
Our mission is to deliver high quality and empowering housing, support, protection and care services in partnership with service users and local communities.
Main activities of the organisation
We support people fleeing domestic abuse, people who have been trafficked, people with mental health, older people, young people, ex offenders, people with learning difficulties and physical disabilities. Delivering support via accommodation based, outreach, community engagement and advocacy services.

We also have three other projects we are still recruiting for.  If you require the project scope as an attachment please sent me an email request.

NIDAS

Project summary:
Project: Activity analysis & cost recovery model: Develop a high-level process model of the organisation that can be used to capture where staff spend their time. For frontline delivery activities, quantify the proportion of costs that are recovered.
Time commitment: approx. 5 days, though this will need to be checked by the volunteer in the light of information gathered at their first meeting
Location: Nottinghamshire (a lot of the work could be carried out remotely)
Please read project scope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Wednesday 22nd February.

Information about the organisation:
Charitable objectives:
Area of benefit: Survivors of current or historic domestic abuse
Our core purpose is our fundamental reason for being
·        To keep people safe emotionally and physically
Main activities of the organisation: 
Support and advocacy, 1-1, group, specialist programs

EBP South

Project summary:
Project: Develop Performance Dashboard - EBP would like help to develop a Performance Dashboard to be used for internal management and Board Reporting.
Time commitment: approx. 4 days, though this will need to be checked by the volunteer in the light of information gathered at their first meeting
Location: Portsmouth (could be carried out remotely)
Please read project scope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Wednesday 22nd February.

Information about the organisation:
Charitable objectives:
For the Public Benefit, to advance, promote and assist in the effective education and development of young people and adults in order to develop their individual capabilities, competencies, skills and understanding in subjects of educational value including career and life skills together with collaboration with local businesses and business organisations in England and Wales in such ways as the charity Trustees think fit.
Main activities of the organisation: 
Work Experience placements; Mentoring programmes for young people linked to volunteers from business; employability programmes in schools; enterprise activities; career inspiration events; careers guidance and education.

Fulham Good Neighbours

Project summary:
Project: Assessing the impact of Fulham Good Neighbours
Time commitment: approx. 5 days, though this will need to be checked by the volunteer(s) in the light of information gathered at their first meeting.
Location: Fulham, SW6 7QT.
Please read project scope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me asap (there is currently no deadline as the organisation is happy to wait).

Information about the organisation:
Charitable objectives:
Our aims are to enable elderly, disabled and vulnerable people to:
-        Live independently and to contribute to society,
-        Help overcome isolation and loneliness,
-        Be at the heart of the local community.
Main activities of the organisation: 
Fulham Good Neighbours support mainly older people, including those with dementia, with practical tasks at home such as basic DIY, gardening, and decorating. We do what any good neighbour would: collect medication, escort to appointments, accompany shopping and take care of pets to name just a few of our free services delivered by over 50 volunteers, many of whom are older people.

If you would like to volunteer on a project but are not able to commit to the full time requirement please let me know as it may be possible to pair you up with another analyst.  

Lastly if you would like to work on a project as part of a pair or with the support of a mentor please indicate on your application and we try to facilitate this. 

I look forward to hearing from you and once again thank you for your help and support.

For further information about the scheme please visit: http://www.theorsociety.com/Probono  



Wednesday, 23 September 2015

What is Pro Bono O.R.?

Pro Bono O.R. is a scheme that was launched by The OR Society in 2013 (a pilot scheme started in 2011) that places skills-based volunteers in short term projects with third sector organisations across the UK to assist them in making operational improvements.


Operational Research in a nut shell helps managers make more effective decisions. It is a very broad spectrum and there is usually a way in which it can be applied whether that is increasing efficiency, helping to reduce costs, plan strategy or demonstrate impact.


Since launching in September 2013 the scheme has completed 35 projects with organisations such as RSPCA, Diabetes UK, Work for Us, Elfrida Rathbone Cambden, The Disability Law Service, Parentskool CIC and many more. We work with all types of third sector organisations ranging from large national organisations down to small community groups. We are currently working on 20 projects and have a further 15 in the initial interest stages.

Volunteers are operational research/analytical professionals. These vary from people in their early career to those who are retired. Some work on projects in their own time, others are given volunteer days by their company and some do a mixture of both. Volunteers can work as individuals, pairs or teams on projects.
Pro Bono O.R. volunteers can make a huge difference in a small amount of time by using their skills to enable organisation to make more effective decisions and as a result help them become more efficient.

Projects vary greatly and as a result so do the skills we are looking for in our volunteer analysts. Skills  include: data analysis, data mining, database design, decision analysis, facilitation, financial analysis, forecasting, logistics, mentoring/coaching, modelling, optimisation, performance measurement, problem structuring, programming, project management, regression, risk analysis, scheduling, simulation, statistical analysis, strategic planning/development, system dynamics etc.

The projects vary in length of time from half a day to over a week and can be spread out over a period of time. The types of projects so far have involved: impact measurement, data analysis, efficiency improvement, options appraisal, strategic planning/review, scheduling and process improvement.

Signing up as a volunteer does not require any commitment, volunteers are added to the volunteers database and then receive emails as and when projects become available. Volunteers can then choose to delete the email (which are currently around 4 per month) or if they would like to apply for a project, volunteers are asked to send in a CV and short application form. Volunteers can work individually, as teams and can also be paired up with a mentor if they require some support.


New projects are advertised every month and volunteer applications must be received by a specific date (typically two weeks after the project is advertised) but the timings of the projects are flexible and to be agreed between the volunteer and the organisation.

For more information about the scheme, to sign up as a volunteer, register you support to receive Pro Bono O.R. support and to see the projects we have worked on so far please visit: http://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/Probono/Probono.aspx

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Friday, 28 August 2015

New Pro Bono O.R. projects requiring volunteer(s)

Pro Bono O.R. – enabling managers to make more effective decisions

Pro Bono O.R. is a scheme run by The OR Society that offers free support to third sector organisations in the UK. 

Whilst August may be a quite month for many, it has turned out to be the busiest month to date so far for Pro Bono O.R.!

Please find details of a new project below plus 3 other previously advertised projects that we are seeking volunteers for.

Selby Trust
Information about the organisation:
Charitable objectives:
To promote for the benefit of the public resident in the London Borough of Haringey and neighbouring areas without distinction of sex, race, colour or political or religious or other opinions
Main activities of the organisation: The Selby Trust manages The Selby Centre which encompasses the diversity of Haringey and aims to include everyone. It is an inclusive space for local people in an area of high deprivation that brings together a rich mix of individuals and organisations, primarily from BME, refugee and other historically marginalised communities.
The Selby Centre is used by over 500 visitors a day accessing programmes either run by the Selby Trust, its 39 onsite organisations or delivered by the 100+ social enterprises, environmental projects, charities, not-for-profits, sports groups, employability support organisations and faith groups in its network.
Project summary:
Project: Impact measurement: The Trust seeks an analyst who can critique how well they measure impact against their plans to date and work with them to develop an holistic framework of impact measurement along with the identification of any further measures/indicators and further development of their databases to support measuring impact. 
Time commitment: approx. 5 days
LocationLondon (mix of remote and onsite working required)
Please read the project scope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Monday 14th September 2015.

This project is suitable for an individual volunteer or pair of analysts.  If you would like to work on a project with the support of a mentor please do specify in your application and I can try to arrange this.  Lastly, if you are interested in working on a project but cannot meet the deadline specified please do register your interest in the first instance before the deadline.

We are still looking for volunteers for the following three projects:

Disability Rights UK
Information about the organisation:
Charitable objectives:
·         Mobilise disabled people’s leadership and control – in our own lives, our organisations and society.
·         Achieve independent living in practice.
·         Break the link between disability and poverty.
·         Put disability equality and human rights into practice across society.

Main activities of the organisation: disability rights, policy and campaigning, putting information in the hands of disabled people through advice lines and publications e.g. Disability Rights Handbook and DR UK website
Project summary:
Project: Develop a consistent approach to impact measurement: Review existing approaches to gathering, analysing and reporting impact data in order to recommend a more consistent and “modern” approach.
Time commitment: approx. 6-9 days
LocationLondon
Please read the project scope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Wednesday 9th September 2015.

This project is suitable for an individual volunteer or pair of analysts.  If you would like to work on a project with the support of a mentor please do specify in your application and I can try to arrange this.  Lastly, if you are interested in working on a project but cannot meet the deadline specified please do register your interest in the first instance before the deadline.

Hope North East
Information about the organisation:
Charitable objectives: Hope North East exists to inspire, motivate, empower and support all those affected by substance misuse, to sustain long term recovery and lasting positive change.
Main activities of the organisation: We have a variety of funding from grants and a sub-contracting relationship. We provide psychosocial support through individual and groupwork, we have a housing team and provide supported housing and tenancy support. We have a volunteer coordinator with 34 volunteers as part of the organisation. We have 20 staff and 15fte.
Other relevant information: Hope North East started as a CIC and achieved charity status 2 years ago, it has had a rapid growth spurt 18 months ago which has left areas of the organisation in need of development and modernization. There is no strategy in place and I feel we need support to work up the beginnings of a strategy which informs future workstreams.
Project summary:
Project: Facilitating strategy planning: To aid the CEO, trustees and staff to develop a 3-year strategic plan
Time commitment: approx. 2 days
LocationMiddleborough
Please read the project scope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Monday 31st August 2015.

This project is suitable for an individual volunteer or pair of analysts.  If you would like to work on a project with the support of a mentor please do specify in your application and I can try to arrange this.  Lastly, if you are interested in working on a project but cannot meet the deadline specified please do register your interest in the first instance before the deadline.

Charityworks
Information about the organisation:
Charitable objectives: To improve the standard of leadership and management in the UK non-profit sector, with the aim of having a transformative impact on the causes and communities the sector serves.
Main activities of the organisation: Charityworks is first and foremost a graduate programme open to any non-profit organisation regardless of size or activity. It connects organisations with talented graduates capable of making an impact on the causes and communities those organisation’s serve.
Area of benefit: We work to improve the quality of services provided by UK charities, by building their capacity in terms of management and leadership.
Project summary:
Project: Review of Selection & Placement Process: Analyse and improve an open, mass selection and placement campaign for a cross-sector graduate leadership programme with multiple stakeholders/partners.
Time commitment: approx. 10 days
LocationLondon (potential for some if not all the project to be carried out remotely).

Please read the project scope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Wednesday 2nd September 2015.

This project is suitable for an individual volunteer or pair of analysts.  If you would like to work on a project with the support of a mentor please do specify in your application and I can try to arrange this.  Lastly, if you are interested in working on a project but cannot meet the deadline specified please do register your interest in the first instance before the deadline.

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to get in touch.
I look forward to hearing from you and once again thank you for your help and support.

Kind regards

Felicity McLeister
O.R. Pro Bono Project Manager
(Mon, Tue & Wed)
Direct Tel +44 (0)121 234 7826, Main Tel +44 (0)121 233 9300

If you are not already a member of The OR Society and are interested in joining please visit https://www.theorsociety.com/ or send an email to carol.smith@theorsociety.com

Additionally you may be interested in becoming a member of our Third Sector Special Interest Group (ORiTS). For more details visit:  https://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/SpecialInterest/ORThirdSector.aspx

Other webpages that may be of interest:



Pro Bono OR moving elsewhere

Pro Bono OR projects can now be found here:  https://www.theorsociety.com/get-involved/pro-bono-or/open-pro-bono-projects/ This blog will no...