VACANCY: Spatial Agency Lead – Makespace

ocva.org; Oxford; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Makespace seeks a Spatial Agency Lead to design, set up and deliver the Spatial Agency programme, a cohort-based learning journey helping community leaders secure and manage space of their own.

Based in Oxfordshire, this part-time, 0.4 FTE fixed-term 3-year role involves building partnerships, developing delivery resources, and grounding the work in spatial justice and anti-oppression principles, with bursaries and monthly trainings.

Responsibilities

• Design, set up and deliver the programme
• Build partnerships with collaborators and technical professionals
• Prepare the delivery model and supporting resources
• Root the design and delivery of the programme in spatial justice and anti-oppression principles
• Recruit and onboard two cohorts of up to ten community leaders
• Introduce participants to the programme, the Common Rooms and the wider Makespace network
• Manage and distribute participant bursaries and expenses
• Deliver a structured programme of monthly training including workshops, peer learning and problem-solving
• Provide or facilitate support directly or through our team, network of collaborators and professionals
• Convene sessions with local authorities
• Support participants to develop project briefs
• Refine tools and resources iteratively as the programme runs through a continuous learning and feedback model
• Work with the cohort participants to iteratively improve the Spatial Agency toolkit

Job description

September 8, 2026

Job title: Spatial Agency Lead

Role summary:

The Spatial Agency Project Lead develops and leads Makespace’s new Spatial Agency programme: a cohort-based learning journey that supports community leaders to find, secure and manage space of their own.
Over three years it will work with up to 20 leaders, in two cohorts of ten, prioritising those with lived experience of poverty, disadvantage or discrimination to gain the skills, confidence and support to shape and curate space, build power and play an active role in design, control and ownership of their neighbourhoods.

Job location (usual place of work): OXFORDSHIRE (MAIN OFFICE IN OXFORD)

Applications close on (please give date): 8am 15th Sept 2026

Hours: Part time, 0.4 FTE, Flexible hours

Contract is: Fixed term 3 years

Design, set up and deliver the programme

• Build partnerships with collaborators and technical professionals
• Prepare the delivery model and supporting resources.
• Root the design and delivery of the programme in spatial justice and anti-oppression principles
• Recruit and onboard two cohorts of up to ten community leaders
• Introduce participants to the programme, the Common Rooms and the wider Makespace network
• Manage and distribute participant bursaries and expenses
• Deliver a structured programme of monthly training including workshops, peer learning and problem-solving
• Provide or facilitate support directly or through our team, network of collaborators and professionals
• Convene sessions with local authorities
• Support participants to develop project briefs
• Refine tools and resources iteratively as the programme runs through a continuous learning and feedback model
• Work with the cohort participants to iteratively improve the Spatial Agency toolkit

All applicants are required to complete an application form, CV’s will not be accepted.