Transition Towns WIKI

Quick introduction

We've started work on figuring out what kind of software platform we need in order to scale up our transition efforts.

Initially, we're recruiting a Project Manager to take us through the Requirements, Evaluation and Recommendation phases (probably 3 months). Next, we'll recruit an Implementation and Development manager (permanent post) to turn the selected platform into a reality.

Right now (as of Nov-08), we're ready to recruit the Project Manager...

Project Manager needed for Transition Software Platform

We are recruiting a project manager to take responsibility for the first phases of the Transition Software Platform:

1. formalising team structures and people
2. gathering requirements
3. evaluating potential solutions
4. identifying quick win solution for one area of functionality
5. making final recommendations to steering group and Transition Network board
6. helping interview and select an implementation manager for the ongoing project

This position will be for 2-3 months, starting ASAP.

The position is funded by Tudor Trust and will report into the Transition Network board via the director in charge of Transition Network platforms, communications and support.

Your next step...

If you think you're an excellent candidate, send us an email at platform[AT]transitionnetwork[DOT]org telling us why.

Background info: Transition Network

The Transition Network is a charity that was set up in spring 2007 to support Transition Initiatives around the world.

Its mission is to inspire, encourage, network, support and train communities as they consider, adopt, adapt and implement the transition model in order to establish a Transition Initiative in their locale. The transition model emboldens communities to look peak oil and climate change squarely in the eye and unleash the collective genius of their own people to find the answers to this big question:

Transition Network is funded by the Tudor Trust and the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and has a small core of paid staff based in Totnes, Devon.

Background info: What's a transition initiative?

Local Transition Initiatives, typically will engage in a series of awareness raising events for the public in their area, will then form a set of theme groups to look in detail at such issues as food, transport, health, energy, local government, etc. The eventual output of these groups is an ‘energy descent plan’ giving a community devised, community focused and community implemented, practical 'energy descent action plan'.

Background info: current web capabilities

To support these initiatives, the Transition Network has set up this website, which includes

• information pages for the general public and for people setting up Transition Initiatives
• downloadable resources
• a wiki with many pages that can be used by the local initiatives to describe themselves and their activities
• forums for discussions

It is recognised that in order to scale up the numbers of communities and the level of engagement, we need to make a significant investment in our web platform and the processes that support it.

There is also a need to consider the other networks, such as LCCN (Low Carbon Community Network) since their needs and outputs are likely to be very similar to Transition Initiatives. Transition Network is actively engaging with such networks to make sure our thinking is aligned.

The need for a Transition Platform

The network of Transitioners has been growing extremely rapidly over the past two years, and its growth is likely to accelerate as the economic climate deteriorates.

There is now funding available from the Tudor Trust to support the creation of this new platform that will cover three main areas:

• online presence for initiatives
• community networking
• knowledge management system

This system will enable:

• An overlapping range of networks of people involved in different aspects of Transition Network, such as:
  • a geographically based transition initiative (eg Whanganui, Dublin, Fujino)
  • people from similar theme groups across a region or a country liaising regularly to share best practice and support each other
  • a group that coordinates local initiatives across a region (eg Scotland, Vermont, Queensland)
  • people providing technical support, etc.

The functionality needed for this is covered in more detail here.

Some of the challenges we face are:

at a local level:

• The need for core groups and theme groups to communicate with their members and each other, to maximise synergy and handle problems and conflicts.
• The need to keep the local public informed of events, activities, initiatives and encourage engagement and involvement in them.
• The need for core groups and theme groups to find out the best and most efficient ways of doing things, learning from the experiences of others, avoiding problems by and through accessing public resources and most importantly through contact with relevant people who can help and advise.

at the regional level

• The need for nearby initiatives to keep abreast of what each other is doing, to enable them to work together where appropriate, share ideas, share resources, run joint activities, support each other
• The need for newly forming transition initiatives to get help in starting through the experiences of nearby initiatives.

at the national and international level

• The need to provide a public face for the network that is clear, informative and dynamic, presenting the changing events and activities of the movement.
• The need to create a library of resources to help newly forming and currently active local initiatives.
• A means to help the regional and national coordinators work together.

The role of project manager

The post of project manager is being established initially, to start the process of developing the transition platform. The post is a temporary one, of 2 to 3 months duration, but is likely to lead to a longer term post to continue the development.

Main responsibilities

1. To create a team that brings together expertise from across the Transition Network, and work with that team to help with the remainder of the responsibilities.
2. To establish the needs of the various parts of the Transition Network, local, regional and national, for the transition platform by various means including questionnaires and interviews.
3. To evaluate the potential existing solutions.
4. To develop a plan for the implementation of a technical infrastructure to support those needs.
5. To create a 'quick win' by setting up an interim solution to some of these needs that will take the Transition Network through to the main solution and can be developed into it.
6. To work with the Transition community to help them to begin to use the interim solution.
7. Make a recommendation to the 'steering group' and the Transition Network Board regarding the software platform.

Person Specification

With a solid software project background, with excellent communications, organisational and technical skills, you will be fired up by the prospect of helping a massively growing network of communities tackle the challenges and opportunities arising from climate change and peak oil.

• Essential
  • educated to degree level or equivalent
  • significant software systems project management experience, particularly requirements gathering, solution evaluation and solution recommendation
  • involvement in several software projects for a non-profits/charities
  • high level of awareness of existing solutions in the "community networking" and "knowledge management" fields
  • excellent communication and organisational skills
  • excellent at prioritising work
  • able to spend significant working time in Totnes with the core Transition Network team
  • experienced working with diverse teams
  • experience in coordinating international involvement in projects
  • available for 3-4 days per week for a 2-3 month period (we'll expect you to help determine the work levels needed)
• Desirable
  • experience of working with volunteers
  • involvement in a Transition Initiative
  • low carbon commuter