Date as postmark/email

Dear Applicant,

Re: Volunteer Coordinator – 25hours

Thank you for your interest in the above post.

Please find within this pack the following:

  • Job description and person specification for the post
  • Application form
  • Equal opportunities monitoring form
  • Information for applicants
  • Briefing paper

If you wish to apply for this post, please complete the application form and equal opportunities monitoring form and post or email marked ‘Private and Confidential’:

By post to: Suki Kaur By email to:

Chief Executive

FreeVA

PO BOX 7675

Leicester

LE1 6XY

Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

Closing date for application forms is: Monday, 31st July 2017, 1pm

Interviews will be held on: w/c 7th August 2017

Successful candidates will be contacted and advised of their interview time. Due to limited resources, we regret that we will not be able to contact candidates who are unsuccessful at the short-listing stage.

If at any stage you feel your application has not been dealt with fairly please write to Mandie Marlow, Chair for board of trustees, FreeVA PO Box 7675, Leicester, LE1 6XY. Please mark your letter Private & Confidential.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Yours faithfully,

Suki Kaur

Chief Executive

FreeVA

Advice on filling in the application form

We only interview applicants who meet the criteria for the post. We choose who to see from what you write on your application form. If you follow the advice below you will have the best chance of getting an interview.

We score your application against attributes listed in the Person Specification. So explain carefully how you meet each attribute. For example if skill in report writing is required you could show this by explaining the sort of reports you have written. (it would not be enough just to say ‘I am skilled in report writing’). Put yourself in our place and think how you can help us understand the attributes you possess.

Remember we can only give you credit for what you tell us. We can only give you the extra credit due for skills or experience that are particularly relevant if you tell us enough to show that this is the case.

If there is not sufficient space on the form you may attach further information but remember credit is not given for length, only for meeting the criteria.

In listing previous experience please include all work since leaving full time education and explain any gaps in employment (for example voluntary service overseas or bringing up a family).

We may not be familiar with the type of work you have done previously so please explain carefully how it equips you for the job you have applied for.

Almost all jobs require the ability to follow written instructions and most jobs require some skill in written communication. So a form completed fully, clearly and succinctly as instructed is likely to score more highly.

Important Information
  • The appointment is subject to obtaining 2 satisfactory references
  • Fee’s will be paid monthly in arrears by bank credit transfer.
  • Hours will be determined based on the business needs, some evening and weekend work will be required.

Information for Applicants

Please apply using the enclosed application form, a CV will not be accepted. You may continue on an extra sheet if you wish but please limit any additional information to two sides of A4 paper.

Under the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, it is a criminal offence to employ anyone who is not entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. Successful applicants will be asked to produce proof of their entitlement to work in the UK.

Successful candidates will also be asked to provide certificates for any qualifications they hold which are relevant to the position.

Successful candidates will also be subject to Disclosure Barring Checks (DBS).

Job Description
Job title: / Volunteer Coordinator
Scale:
Hours: / £22,221 (pro-rota)
25 hours
Responsible For: / No paid staff. The post holder will oversee the supervision of all volunteers.
Responsible to: / FreeVA Chief Executive

Main purposes of the post

Responsible for providing a high quality volunteering programme, primarily for the Sexual and Domestic Violence Helpline however also across all other services. In particular to:

1.To develop a comprehensive program to recruit, train and induct volunteers namely for the helpline service but also across the organisation and UAVA consortium as and when deemed necessary

2.Planning, designing, reviewing, evaluating and delivering training, including helpline and sexual and domestic violence training.

3.Recruit and retain volunteers, through ensuring robust systems and processes are adhered to such as application, interview, ongoing training and supervision.

4.To identify volunteers’ training and development needs, and meet prioritized needs through a well-structured, planned programme of coaching and on-the-job learning, providing appropriate training opportunities both formal and informal

5.Oversee the supervision of all volunteers; including conducting regular reviews to ensure that all volunteers are comfortable with their role

6.To review, monitor and ensure continuous compliance with the Investing in Volunteers Quality standards and Helpline Accreditation and prepare the organisation for the reaccreditation processes

7.Monitor, record and review all volunteer activities, and evaluate the volunteer services on a regular basis.

8.To produce all publicity material in relation to the volunteering programme.

9.To implement, regularly review and update the volunteer handbook

10.To deliver and attend publicity events to promote volunteering as well as promoting services, including coordinating volunteers’ attendance at the publicity events.

11.Ensure that the relevant policies and procedures are in place for working with volunteers, and that best practice is followed.

12.To maintain an up-to-date, accessible volunteer database.

13.To coordinate volunteers’ meetings, publish newsletters, organize events and disseminate information of interest to volunteers

14.Ensure confidentiality and professional boundaries are maintained at all times.

15.Comply with all policies and procedures at all times.

Organisational Development & Reporting

  1. Produce statistical and qualitative reports on the volunteering services ensuring contractual requirements are being met
  2. To strengthen and develop links with a wide range of local organizations and businesses across all sectors to promote services as widely as possible
  3. To keep all members of staff and Board of Trustees informed about good practice and to contribute in the development of policies, strategies and working practices
  4. Keep up-to-date with development in volunteering and domestic and sexual violence field.
  5. Attend training as required.
  6. To support with the updating of website information and social media
  7. To undertake other such duties as may be required from time to time, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification
Area / Criteria
Education and Training / Essential
An honours degree or equivalent qualification (or alternatively substantial relevant experience)
Relevant training certificate or substantial experience in delivering domestic and/or sexual violence related training.
Desirable
Excellence in Volunteer Management qualification or willingness to undertake the Volunteer Management qualification
Work Experience / Knowledge / Essential
  • Minimum of one-year work experience in the field of volunteering.
  • Minimum of one-year work experience in the charity/ voluntary sector.
  • Experience of coordinating volunteers and an understanding of volunteer motivations
  • Experience of delivering domestic and sexual violence training or related courses
  • Experience of working with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures
  • An understanding of the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence, including knowledge of impact of domestic and sexual violence on victims and children and of current legislation and good practice
  • Understanding of safeguarding protocols including child protection issues and legal responsibilities
  • Experience of working within multi-agency networks and settings
  • Experience of service development work
  • Experience of monitoring and evaluation
  • Experience of team leadership
  • Up-to-date knowledge of the legal and organisational requirements relevant to volunteering
Desirable
  • Experience of the process of applying for funding
  • Experience of writing domestic and sexual violence training or related courses

Personal Attributes / Essential
  • Demonstrable crisis management skills and proven team leadership including the ability to manage and sustain a team of volunteers
  • Empathy for victims of domestic and sexual violence and a desire to work alongside them to assist in their recovery process
  • Motivated and enthusiastic; and proven ability to work as part of a busy and challenging environment
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present clear well-structured professional reports, letters and case notes
  • Ability to operate a high degree of confidentiality and accountability
  • Ability to work to tight deadlines and to take responsibility for meeting agreed targets
  • Ability to work in partnership and as part of a team towards a common objective
  • Ability to work on own initiative, be proactive and able to take responsibility for actions
  • Ability to demonstrate commitment to multi-agency partnership working work
  • Commitment to continuing professional development.
  • Ability to self evaluate and reflect on practice
  • Ability to recognize discrimination and anti-oppressive practices, in its various forms, and to take appropriate action.
  • Demonstrable understanding of diversity, equal opportunity and gender equality issues
  • Ability to resolve conflict with/between volunteers, colleagues and other agencies
  • Confident in providing advice and guidance to others around policy, procedures and good practice
  • Ability to develop good working relationships with colleagues, volunteers and external partners
  • Ability to communicate effectively when addressing a variety of audience in person, on the phone, via email and when giving presentations to groups
  • Ability to maintain personal and professional boundaries.
  • Willingness to undertake training.
  • Willingness to accommodate occasional unsociable hours (evenings and weekends)
  • Commitment to the aims and work of the FreeVA

IT skills / Essential
Computer literate, including demonstrable competence in using Microsoft office package
Experience of analyzing data and report writing

Briefing Paper

FreeVA are part of the UAVA (United Against Violence & Abuse) consortium of local domestic and sexual violence providers, which include Women’s Aid Leicestershire Limited (WALL) and Living Without Abuse (LWA).

UAVA deliver contracts for Leicester City Council for Domestic and Sexual Violence services across Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland (LLR). The aims of these services are to provide appropriate and timely support, information and practical assistance to anyone who has been affected by sexual and domestic violence to support their safety and recovery

The LLR Domestic and Sexual Violence Services include the following:

  • a single helpline for LLR for both domestic and sexual violence for anyone aged over 13.
  • crisis support (IDVA and ISVA)
  • engagement and recovery support (individual and groups)
  • therapeutic support provided in partnership with local specialist partners

FreeVA lead on the delivery of the Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland (LLR) Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline, Independent Sexual Advisory Services (ISVA), counselling and volunteering opportunities. The services offer consistent and co-ordinated package of care and support, focussing on improving safety, health, wellbeing, and reducing risk.

The helpline is open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday to members of the public and operates alongside a business line for professionals, open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The helpline provides emotional support, a listening ear, information, safety advice, and risk assessment. It has a role for those who have experienced sexual or domestic violence and also as a support for those supporting them or worried about them: family, friends, neighbours or colleagues for example.

The Volunteer Co-ordinator will be based at FreeVA Offices however will work within the wider UAVA team.

Please visit the UAVA website for further information: