Leading a team

The Role of a Team Leader

Team leaders will be responsible for the following:

• Team development and pastoral support

We hope that every person will grow and develop during their time on a Mobilise Worldwide Team. A large part of the team leader’s role is to facilitate this, particularly in the following areas:

Reflection
Helping the team members begin to process their thoughts and feelings and learn from all that they are experiencing and hearing from God.

Relationships
Ensuring that healthy, non-exclusive relationships are developed within the team and with nationals. Ensuring that as a team, good relationships and communication is developed with the hosts.

Meeting Together
Team meetings are a key aspect of the Mobilise Worldwide teams. During these times the team will have the chance to meet together to pray and worship. Team leaders don’t have to lead every meeting.

Inspiration
Helping the team to see the bigger picture and keeping the motivation going, envisioning and speaking faith into the team. Being an example of a prayer led, Spirit filled follower of Jesus.

Giftings
Recognising the giftings of different team members and providing them with opportunities to grow and stretch their capacity.

It is likely that at least some of the group will need some pastoral support at some point. Whilst we aim to avoid accepting anyone on a Mobilise Worldwide Team who is emotionally unstable or working through major life issues, the change of culture, living conditions and team dynamics will probably cause one or two issues to arise!  This aspect of the role is potentially a demanding one. You will need to respond to situations as they arise and refer to the main team leader as necessary (or appointed person) but long standing matters can be referred to the person’s home church/youth leader after the team has ended and the person is back in the UK.

• Implementation of the programme

The basic programme will have been arranged with the hosts before the arrival of the team, although the nature of a Mobilise Worldwide team is such that there will probably be last minute events popping into the programme. Flexibility is part of the ethos of a Mobilise Worldwide team! For part of the trip, as a team leader you will be responsible for the implementation of the programme as you may not be with the hosts for the whole of the trip. This will differ with each location though.

• Security, health and safety

While overseas, it is the responsibility of all team leaders to:

Make sure that the team is safe and that the general welfare of the team isn’t being overlooked. Guidelines are set out in our Health and Safety Policy.
Carry out a basic Team Leader’s Risk Assessment upon arrival in your location and ensure that the hosts brief the team in the areas of health, safety, security, travel and culture.
Be familiar with the Newfrontiers Child Protection Policy, and ensure that team members are adhering to it.
Liaise with hosts if issues or problems arise and contact Newfrontiers if necessary.

• Time

In the lead up to the departure of the Mobilise Worldwide Team there is a time commitment on the part of leaders. Whilst we will try to keep this to a minimum, the following is necessary:

Attendance at the leaders evening, the night before your teams Briefing Day.
Attendance at the Briefing Day, together with the rest of your team.
After the team has returned, we aim for all team members to meet together for a reunion and team debriefing session. Wherever possible we hope that leaders will be able to organise this event for their team.

• Emergencies

In the event of an emergency we expect the team leader to take control, together with the hosts, as appropriate, in accordance with policies and procedures.

To apply to be a team leader on a Mobilise Worldwide team, click on the applications link in the left sidebar and fill in the relevant forms