Job Title: People First Volunteer Coordinator

Job Description

Job Location: Barrow or Workington

Responsible to: Inclusion Team Leader

Line Manager Inclusion Team Manager

Employer: People First Independent Advocacy

Hours: 3 month fixed term

Salary: £9.75 per hour

Overview of the role

We are looking for a fixed term (3 months) inclusion officer/s to join our inclusion team based in Barrow and in Workington.

The inclusion team work with a range of people with diverse needs through a variety of inclusive projects which include; Young People First: Access All Areas, The People First Wellbeing Network, Care & Treatment Reviews, Research and Education and our volunteer provision.

The primary function of this role is develop our People First Volunteer provision in West and South Cumbria.

The People First Volunteer provision was established as a formal part of the organisation in 2015. We currently support 55 volunteers in all areas of Cumbria and want to enhance our recruitment and supporting processes. There are many areas of work for volunteers covering all aspects of People First work ranging from daily advocacy support to supporting sessional activity projects with children. Our volunteers are key to the future of People First and in return we plan to give them an excellent experience, whatever they are interested in.

Volunteer Coordinator – Key tasks and responsibilities

1. To recruit and train a volunteer as a volunteer co-ordinator in each area.

2. To recruit volunteers and ensure they are appropriately matched and trained for a particular voluntary role.

3. To attend Volunteer Fairs and other events to promote voluntary opportunities.

4. Liaising with departments within People First to understand how they work and assess their needs for volunteers.

5. Generating volunteering opportunities and role descriptions based on the needs of the organisation.

6. Assisting and guiding volunteers through the recruitment process i.e. DBS applications, collecting references etc.

7. Ensuring there is appropriate support and training for volunteers accrediting volunteers and their work.

8. Promoting volunteering (internally and externally) through recruitment and publicity strategies and campaigns.

9. Keeping up to date with legislation and policy related to volunteering and making any necessary modifications to accommodate changes.

Other tasks

1 Dealing with Customer enquiries.

2 Encouraging and assisting with groups and workshops.

3 Ad hoc support to other members of the inclusion team.

4 Ensure the service is run in line with the overall vision of the CEO and the Board and to deliver services in line with contractual obligations.

5 Take a full and active part in supervision.

6 Monitoring and evaluating activities/events and writing minutes and reports for funders and Managers.

7 Maintaining databases and undertaking any other administrative duties.

8 Day to day troubleshooting and addressing problems as they arise.

9 Assisting in ensuring Health & Safety and Quality compliance.

Because of the developing nature of our organisation at present, we require staff to remain highly flexible in their approach, and to work to meet the changing needs of the projects.

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Because of the developing nature of this work, and the alteration to the way in which advocacy is being delivered across Cumbria, staff will be required to work flexibly, and meet the changing needs of the project.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

1. Experience

· Experience and knowledge of volunteering including recruiting and retaining volunteers.

· Experience of coordinating a range of activities.

· Experience of working as part of a team.

· Experience of prioritising and juggling multiple projects.

· Experience of working effectively in co-operation with a wide range of internal and external partners including both statutory and non-statutory organisations and groups.

2. Knowledge

· Broad knowledge of research and data gathering techniques.

· Understanding of the value of robust research, information and intelligence in supporting the delivery of projects

· Awareness of the importance of confidentiality.

3. Skills

· Highly developed planning and organisational skills.

· Ability to develop new and existing collaborative relationships both internally and externally.

· Ability to demonstrate confidence, empathy, enthusiasm and initiative.

· Accurate and well organised approach to work.

· Problem solving skills and ability to think analytically.

· Competent IT skills.

· Good verbal and written communication skills and understanding the importance of effective communication to a variety of audiences.

· Ability to work under pressure and to manage and prioritise a varied work programme.

· Ability to work on own initiative and with minimum support.

· Contribute to and work as part of an effective team that delivers a high standard of work.

· Ability to work flexibly in line with the needs of the business.

· Car Driver and confident traveller

4. Values

· Commitment to eradicating disadvantage and inequality

· Person centred ethos

· Integrity, honesty and good judgement