Job Description

Job information

Job Title / Communications Volunteer
Location / Tower Hill
Responsible to / Communications and policy manager / Communications executive
Direct reports / N/A
Working hours / 22.5 hours per week
Working pattern / Flexible, 3 days per week over 3 months or alternative patterns considered

Scope of the job

To provide support to Refuge’s busy communications team whilst gaining experience of working for a national domestic violence charity.

Job responsibilities

Managing service delivery and performance

  1. Distributing awareness-raising materials to members of the public and external organisations.
  2. Sorting and maintaining Refuge’s library of cuttings.
  3. Helping maintain Refuge’s presence on social media.
  4. Drafting copy for online and print communications and correspondence.
  5. Supporting events and other corporate activities.
  6. Supporting the general administration needs of the communications and policy team as and when necessary.
  7. Updating and maintaining accurate records of active case studies and domestic violence homicide cases.
  8. Monitoring news reports to identify domestic homicide cases and researching individual cases.
  9. Contacting survivors of domestic violence and speaking to them about their experiences.
  10. Writing up case stories for different audiences and purposes.
  11. Supporting the needs of the wider Refuge team across different departments as and when necessary.

Managing health, safety and security

  1. To promote and ensure safe working for self and others by strict adherence to Refuge Security procedures and Health and safety policy.
  2. To ensure that security of sensitive information is maintained and complies with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
  3. To promote and ensure safe working for self and others by strict adherence to Refuge Security procedures and Health and Safety policy.

Managing self

  1. To promote and support equality and empowerment within all areas of work.
  2. To represent and be an ambassador for Refuge, working in partnership internally and externally with other agencies to ensure an effective coordinated community response to survivors of sexual violence and their children.
  3. To develop and maintain positive, collaborative working relationships with all Refuge staff both locally and across the wider organisation, being committed as part of the team to providing a high level of support to survivors.
  4. To actively participate in Refuge’s performance management processes including regular supervisions and development. (Please note this will involve travel to London)

It is essential to the development of Refuge’s service delivery that the post holder is able to respond flexibly to changes in the requirements of this post. This job description is therefore a guide and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities the post holder may have over time.

Person specification

Specification / Essential or Desirable / Assessment Method*
Education and qualifications
  • Educated to degree level
  • Good standard of general education
/ D
E / A
A
Experience
  • Experience of writing for different audiences
  • Experience of using spreadsheets to record accurate and up to date records
  • Experience of office administration
/ D
D
D / A/I
A
A
Abilities/skills/ knowledge
  • Excellent standard of English with the ability to write clearly and accurately
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills with a good understanding of how to address difficult subjects sensitively
  • Evidence of the ability to work in a methodical way showing attention to detail
  • Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage a range of tasks efficiently, and to prioritise own time and workload
  • Excellent level of IT literacy including use of the internet, social media, and Microsoft Office software package
  • Knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence
  • Knowledge of and an active interest in Refuge’s work
/ E
E
E
E
E
D
E / A
I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
General
  • A commitment to follow the policies, procedures and philosophical principles of Refuge and be committed to empowerment, support and equality which underpin all of the work undertaken by Refuge.
/ E / I

*Assessment method:

A: ApplicationI: InterviewT: Test

Notes

1)This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Due to the nature of our work it will be necessary for an enhanced disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service for details of any previous criminal convictions which are not protected under the Act.

2)Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Page | 1Feb 2016