Job Title: -Volunteer Advisor

Job Description

Hours: 40 per week including some evening and weekend work. Actual hours of work will be agreed with the line manager as deemed necessary for the delivery of the role.

Salary Scale: -up to point 27

Responsible to: -HR and Development Manager

Job Purpose

To drive forward the Trusts Volunteer Strategy advising on all volunteer requirements whilst proactively working with Trust manager to raise the profile of volunteers in all resourcing plans. To manage the Trust’s Volunteer recruitment and development programmes and develop appropriate forms of recognition.

The postholder will also work with the Organisational Development Advisor to co-ordinate requests for student/school work placements across the Trust.

Nature of the Post

The Together Trust currently employs around 750+ permanent staff, with around a further 100 relief and supply staff, across a number of sites in the North of England. The organisation is primarily split between Residential Services, Community Services,Education and Fostering. The postholder will be based at the Together Trust Central Offices in the Human Resources and Development department but will be expected to travel to the Trust’s services across the North West in order to develop the use of Volunteers within the Trust.

As part of the Human Resources and Development staff team, the post holder will be expected to participate and support the ethos of the Trust. In respect of the general responsibilities as an employee of the Trust, the postholder will be required to:

Promote a positive image of the department and the Trust at all times.

Be aware of and follow the relevant policies and procedures, including safeguarding.

Maintain confidentiality for all areas of the post.

Co-operate with all Together Trust staff in maintaining harmonious interpersonal relations.

Perform any duties as may reasonably be required by the Trust, or as requested by the postholder’s line manager and other senior managers.

Principal Responsibilities

The core tasks will include the recruitment, induction, training and supervision of volunteers across the Trust to ensure that volunteers add value to the organisation whilst enabling them to meet their own aspirations from undertaking volunteering within the Trust. The postholder will be expected to develop relationships and networks internally and externally which will promote volunteering opportunities within the Trust.

The post holder will need commitment, energy and self motivation. The post holder will require the ability to prioritise their own work and time in order to develop volunteering across the Trust.

The post holder will be required to influence and engage with staff at all levels of the organisation and with external bodies

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy, policy and procedure

To be responsible for and implement the Trust’s Volunteer Strategy across the organisation
To work with managers to provide them with guidance on the benefits of volunteers
To support managers across the service in identifying suitable volunteering opportunities
To provide support and advice to colleagues in their work with volunteers, by sharing learning resources and good practice across the Trust
In conjunction with the Fundraising Manager, research and identify funding opportunities to support volunteering within the Trust

Recruitment and Selection

To recruit and select volunteers to ensure they are appropriately matched to the volunteer roles available within the Trust, ensuring that the administration systems and the Trust’s Recruitment and Selection policy and procedure are adhered to.
To be responsible for maintaining the pool of volunteers, organising recruitment drives, promotions, open days, networking with referring organisations and other means as may be appropriate

Induction, Training and Supervision

In liaison with the Learning and Development department, induct, train and provide ongoing support to volunteers across the services, ensuring that they are supervised on a regular basis by an identified line manager
Audit the quality of the volunteers experience and provide feedback to relevant staff managers
To obtain feedback from line managers on volunteer’s performance, achievements, successes and any issues identified.
To develop volunteer training programmes for use across the Trust, including assisting in the delivery of volunteer induction training
In liaison with the Learning and Development Department, assess the training needs of volunteers and help source further free external training ensuring volunteers have the knowledge, equipment, information an on-going support to be successful in their roles

Communication and Promotion

Promote and champion the role of volunteers and volunteers activities, both internally and externally, in line with the Trust’s media policy, so that they are respected and valued for their contribution to the organisation, including the use of celebration events
To be responsible for communicating effectively with the Trust’s volunteers, including developing briefings and newsletters as appropriate, and to develop ways that enable the volunteers to communicate with and support each other i.e. volunteer forum
To act as the first point of contact for volunteers and to process enquiries about volunteering in the Trust, providing advice and guidance as appropriate
To encourage and support volunteers to facilitate links across the Trust
To develop and maintain relationships/networks with other voluntary organisations, volunteer recruitments centres, websites and charities to promote the Together Trust volunteer opportunities

Administration and systems

To develop and maintain monitoring and evaluation systems, produce statistics, financial information and reports as required by managers and Trustees
To identify methods of acknowledging outstanding contributions and long-term service for volunteers

Person Specification

Note to applicant: When completing your application form you should demonstrate the extent to which you have the necessary education, experience, knowledge and skills identified for the post.

Application form (AF) Interview (I) References (R) Certificates (C)

Criteria / Essential (E) Desirable (D) / Evidenced
Qualifications
A good standard of secondary education with demonstrable literacy & numeracy skills / E / AF/C
Educated to A Level standard or equivalent / D / AF/C
Relevant qualification, i.e. Diploma in Volunteer Management / D / AF/C
Experience
Experience of working in a similar role(s) incorporating:
Volunteer co-ordination or management
Promoting volunteering & recruiting volunteers / D / AF/I/R
Proven practical experience recruiting, training, supporting and managing volunteers / D / AF/I/R
Experience of project management / D / AF/I/R
Experience of supervision and performance management / D / AF/I/R
Experience of delivery and/or designing of training programmes / D / AF/I/R
Experience of fundraising and/or applying for fundraising bids / D / AF/I/R
Knowledge & Understanding
Sound knowledge and understanding of volunteering issues at an operational level including working with volunteer policies & procedures and best practice / D / AF/I/R
Knowledge of current regulations governing volunteering in England / E / AF/I/R
Knowledge of health and safety / E / AF/I/R
Good understanding of the needs and aspirations of volunteers / E / AF/I/R
Understand the importance of confidentiality and professional boundaries / E / AF/I/R
Understand the issues relating to the activities of the Together Trust / E / AF/I
Skills & Abilities
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to relate to people of all ages, abilities, cultures and backgrounds / E / AF/I/R
Proven ability to build relationships and to inspire, motivate and influence people / E / AF/I/R
Good time management skills, and the ability to manage a diverse workload and prioritise effectively so that deadlines are met / E / AF/I/R
Effective administrative & IT skills, including ability to use Microsoft Office – Word, Excel & data bases / E / AF/I/R/C
Ability to develop new initiatives and to respond to the changing needs of the Trust and its Volunteers / E / AF/I/R
Ability to develop effective monitoring and evaluation processes / E / AF/I/R
Networking, influencing and negotiation skills / D / AF/I/R
General
Commitment to equality and diversity, ensuring anti-discriminatory practice in all areas of work / E / AF/I/R
Evidence of Continuing Professional Development / E / AF/R/C
To act with integrity, honesty, loyalty and fairness at all times within the limits of professional competence, to safeguard the assets, financial probity and reputation of the Trust / E / AF/I
Ability to work flexibly, including outside normal office hours, i.e. evenings and weekends / E / AF/I
Full clean driving licence and access to a vehicle / E / AF/C

Additional Information

The work at the Trust for those working directly with the service users can on occasion be physically demanding and employees must be able to undertake in full the requirements of the job and requisite training.

For the safety of staff and the service users, training will be provided to assist employees to carry out their role, specifically the Movement & Management of Loads & People, Emergency First Aid and PROACT Scrip UK training (this provides staff with the skills to carry out the sometimes necessary safe holds in a non threatening way). Employees will be required to fully participate in all training relevant to their role.

Having a disabling condition does not preclude you from working for the Together Trust. However you should make the Together Trust aware of any adaptations required to enable you to undertake the work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The Together Trust is committed to equality and diversity, but is under represented in the work force by men, men and women from ethnic groups and people with disabilities. The Together Trust therefore welcomes applicants regardless of their racial, ethnic or national origin, religion or beliefs, disability or sexuality, age or responsibilities for dependents.

July 2014