Find your place in the field of good food

Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Job description

About Lifeafterhummus Community Benefit Society:

Lifeafterhummus is dedicated to tackling food waste, promoting health, and empowering our community in St. Pancras and Somers Town. Our innovative community "waste" café where food is made from surplus ingredients collected by our local volunteers, located within the Children's Library at 5 Pancras Square, opened in March 2025 and is expanding to become a vital employability space for young people aged 16-25, including those with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (S.E.N.D). As a key part of Library Services, we seek a passionate and dedicated Cafe Supervisor who understands the complexities of youth unemployment in Camden and is committed to creating a transformative environment for young people to thrive. The cafe is currently averaging 60 transactions a day. The food is made the day before by community chefs from the surplus produce and ingredients collected resulting in a daily changing menu.  

Role Overview:

This is a unique and impactful role blending cafe management with youth mentoring and community advocacy. You will manage the café's daily operations, ensuring efficiency and sustainability, while fostering a supportive environment for young people to develop employability skills and confidence. This role requires a deep understanding of structural inequalities affecting young people in Camden and a commitment to trauma-informed practices. You will be managed by our Operations Manager and work closely with our Community Chef. The young people will have wrap-around support from their respective youth workers, case workers, and support workers.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Excellence:

• Support with the daily running of the cafe including serving customers and liaising with Camden Council colleagues, opening/closing, staff management, inventory control, and financial transactions. 
• Ensure adherence to food safety, hygiene, and other relevant regulations.
• Maintain a clean, welcoming, and efficient café environment.  

Youth Empowerment & Mentorship:

• Create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for young people aged 16-25.
• Provide individualised mentoring, guidance, and support, acting as a positive role model.
• Facilitate engaging activities that promote learning and personal development.
• Implement trauma-informed practices to support young people who may have experienced adverse life events.
• Meet and greet prospective young people, ensuring they feel welcome.
• Provide consistent support and guidance to young people experiencing challenges with engagement or self-limiting behaviours, fostering resilience and promoting sustained participation.

Communication and Reporting:

• Maintain regular communication with youth workers, case workers, and support workers through clear emails and reports.
• Report on young people's progress and provide feedback to stakeholders.

Community Engagement & Networking:

• Use your initiative to support local residents and homeless people in need. Lead with kindness and empathy. Proactively provide information and signposting when needed. Many people going through a difficult time access the council services located on the same floor. 
• Proactively build relationships with local businesses, organisations, and potential mentors to create employability opportunities.
• Collaborate with multi-agency partners: social services, educational institutions, and community organisations.
• Actively network with council officers and professionals to expand opportunities and referrals.

Social Media and Online Presence:

• Perform light social media monitoring and create content to promote the café and its program.

Social Justice & Advocacy:

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of structural inequalities affecting young people in Camden.
• Advocate for young people's rights and needs, working to dismantle systemic barriers.
• Foster an environment of equality, inclusivity, and anti-oppressive practices.

Chef Collaboration:

• Work closely with the Community Chef to ensure smooth café operations and food service, opportunities to upsell and when adjustments are needed. 

Library and Mission Collaboration:

• Liaise and collaborate effectively with Library Services, Facilities, Food Mission, Youth Mission, and other teams at Camden Council

Event Preparation and Support:

• Assist in preparing and delivering café-related events, which may require overtime.
• Prep evening events that volunteers will be running. 

Person Specification:

Essential Qualities:

Experience:

• Demonstrated minimum 1 years experience working with young people aged 16-25 in a supportive or mentoring role
• Experience working or volunteering with vulnerable members of the public to ensure everyone feels welcome.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organisational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
• Ability to build strong, trusting relationships with diverse young people.
• Ability to write effective emails, use multiple Apps, and social media platforms.
• Proactive networking and partnership-building abilities.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Exceptional patience and understanding when dealing with challenging behaviours.

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Deep understanding of structural inequalities impacting youth unemployment in Camden.
• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and trauma-informed practices.
• Commitment to social justice, equity, and anti-oppressive practices.
• Understanding of the challenges faced by young people from underserved backgrounds.

Personal Attributes:

• Empathy, patience, cultural competence and sensitivity.
• A genuine commitment to young people's well-being and development.
• Resilience and adaptability.
• A positive and proactive attitude.

Desirable Criteria (Training Provided):

• Basic food hygiene and first aid qualifications.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults training.
• Café management experience of at least a year, including staff supervision and financial oversight.
• Proficiency in financial management, inventory control, and customer service.

Important Information:

Application process:

• Two-stage recruitment process: suitability trial followed by formal interview.
• Early application advised, as the vacancy may close early.
• Only candidates meeting the person specification will be shortlisted.
• Please note this position will require a DBS check. 

Employment information:

• 12 months fixed term contract (renewable subject to project funding).
• 3 months probationary period
• 20 days leave pro-rata (with cover pre-arranged).
• £13.90 per hour, paid lunch breaks (30 minutes) with lunch provided.
• 37.5 hours per week, overtime may be required.
• 5 days per week (Tuesdays - Saturdays, days off will be Sun and Mon, overtime and Sunday working may be required at times)
• Hours of work: 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM. Cafe hours are 12pm-5.30pm.
• This is an in-person position.

Objects:

www.lifeafterhummus.com

Lifeafterhummus Community Benefit Society prioritises fair pay as a London Living Wage employer and fosters an inclusive environment through our registered objects: The Society shall be to carry on any business for the benefit of the community by (a) pioneering nutrition and lifestyle intervention solutions for a changing health and care landscape to improve the physical and mental health of the public and reduce health inequalities, tackle food poverty and reduce social isolation whilst operating within an intersectional framework; (b) lowering carbon emissions, promoting sustainability and using ethical standards in production; (c) addressing under-representation from Black and Minority Ethnic communities by ensuring the Society is Black and Minority Ethnic led. We have a team that reflects the diversity of our community, including disabled, queer, working class and neurodivergent (ADHD and AuDHD) individuals.

Application information

Please send your covering letter and CV to info@lifeafterhummus.com

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