WHO THE XXXX GOT THAT JOB?

Gangs and Territorialism Development Worker 20,833 pa

The Employer

Leap was founded in 1997 and became an independent charitable company in 1999.

Currently its HQ in Finsbury Park employs 12 office based workers and 14 freelance trainers. The charity provides training on issues including conflict resolution and dealing with difficult behaviour, for young people and the people who work with young people such as teachers, youth workers, young offenders institutions and voluntary organisations.

The Job

Over three year development workers will look at the definition of gangs, gang history in the UK, Europe and USA, engage with young people involved in gangs, and engage with people in areas affected by gang activities. The first year of the job will be taken up with action research at home and abroad.

Following this comes three pilot projects, one in London, further research refining work from these pilots, and finally devising a programme for Britain. Programme manager Magdalene Bannis-Royer says there has been great interest in Leap's work, since the suspected gang involvement in 10 year old Demiola Taylor's murder.

The Candidate

Nia Imani Kuumba, 35, lives in Crystal Palace. He trained as a chef after school in London, but then became involved in community drama groups and "fringe stuff", working with people all over the world including West Africa and the Caribbean. After returning to college he became a drama worker, drama therapist and freelance trainer. "Having spent several years working with disadvantaged groups, I'm interested in how people perceive themselves and their position in life."

The Process

Leap sent out 200 application forms after their ad in mid September, 24 were returned, and nine applicants were shortlisted for interview. Seven candidates attended a formal four person panel interview held over two days.

Five were selected for a second interview workshop day, where they gave a10 minute presentation on 'Who I am as a trainer' and 'How I Approach my Work'. In the afternoon candidates were observed working in two groups on a work scenario. "All the candidates did exceptionally well, and even the three who weren't selected said it was a really useful day," says Bannis-Royer

Why Nia Got the Job

Nia was one of two candidates who scored highest on the workshop exercises.

The other finalist left Leap soon after starting, for personal reasons.

"We were looking for people with experience of research, able to analyse data and plan a way forward, experience of social projects for young people and someone who could think outside the box. Nia was able to go beyond the statutory responses of youth organisations, he was somebody who'd done something different."

Copyright 2001
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