Volunteer Support Officer

Working Hours: 21 Hours Per Week

Contract Type: Part-Time, Permanent

Closing Date: 29 June 2025

Closing time: 11.59pm

This role is subject to:

• 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We are seeking a Volunteer Support Officer who is passionate about supporting adults to volunteer at Manchester Art Gallery. We work with over 70 volunteers with a diverse range of life experiences, with many different reasons for volunteering. We aim to provide volunteer opportunities that are interesting, engaging and rewarding for our volunteers and also enables the gallery to connect with a broad range of visitors through volunteer involvement in public programmes.

We are looking for someone who enjoys working with people, building relationships and understanding individual needs. The role holder will support volunteers to develop their skills and build confidence as they interact with gallery visitors, artists and gallery staff. We are looking for a candidate who can create a sense of welcome and help the volunteer teams to feel part of the wider gallery community. You will have an excellent understanding of the administration support needed to ensure volunteers flourish in their roles.

There are different strands to our volunteer programme across the breadth of the gallery. Volunteers develop and lead adult programmes including gallery tours and our regular conversation-based sessions such as Stories we Share, Art Bites and Philosophy Café. Volunteers also help artists to deliver creative making sessions with families and adults. In addition, volunteers are part of teams who research collections and archives bringing a range of perspectives to the art works. A recent example of this is the Old Manchester collection review as part of Taking Stock. Volunteers are offered training and social events throughout the year.

Has good administration skills, is ICT literate, and is willing to learn new systems.

Has attention to detail and a passion for creating welcoming environments for volunteers and the visitors they engage with.

Has an interest in art, galleries and an awareness of how art impacts on people's lives.

Is a creative thinker and able to work with other staff to develop new volunteering opportunities.

Demonstrates an understanding of the motivations for volunteering and the development needs of volunteers.

Has the skills to recruit volunteers from a diverse range of life situations.

Has the skills to work with others to deliver learning and training sessions for specific groups of people.

Is flexible, adaptable and demonstrates pragmatic problem-solving skills within difficult situations, whilst demonstrating a non-judgemental, empathetic and sensitive approach.

Demonstrates an understanding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion good practice, mental health and awareness of barriers to volunteering.

We are holding the following two information sessions about the role:

• In person at Manchester Art Gallery: Sunday 15 June 3-4pm
• Online Monday 16 June 5-6 pm

Please contact Ruth Edson ruth.edson@manchester.gov.uk to book a place.

Benefits We Offer:

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service.
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your newborn or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rata of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council:

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process:

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme Requirements:

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition

When You Join Us:

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, Offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk.

What we will need from you if you’re successful:

• In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment.
• This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
• Pre-Employment Checks Required: If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
• References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
• Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.
• Police Vetting: Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive law enforcement systems or information.
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance: BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets. It ensures that individuals meet basic security requirements and can be trusted with sensitive information.
• Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other Relevant Information:

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.