Volunteer Programs Lead: Inclusion & Impact

To improve and strengthen the organisation's volunteering programme by putting clear policies, systems and processes in place, so managers can confidently recruit, welcome, support and keep volunteers in their own teams. To develop our volunteering offer by strengthening volunteer recruitment, support and retention, while increasing the diversity of our volunteer pool and removing barriers to participation for underrepresented communities. This includes supporting managers to create meaningful, accessible opportunities that reflect the communities we serve. To ensure volunteers are effectively integrated across organisational services, providing valuable support to staff teams and enhancing service delivery. The postholder will promote a positive culture of volunteering, ensuring volunteers feel valued, included and well supported. There will be a lot of opportunity to make your mark, deliver change and support a very willing and enthusiastic team to develop together. We'll expect a great deal of you but in return you'll be well supported, invested-in and given lots of opportunity to learn and grow as an organisational leader.

Key Tasks

• Lead the ongoing development of the organisation's volunteering programme, ensuring it is effective, inclusive, well-managed and aligned to organisational priorities.
• Develop, review, and implement volunteering policies, procedures, guidance and quality standards to ensure a consistent approach across all services.
• Promote a positive culture of volunteering across the organisation, ensuring volunteers are valued and their contribution is recognised.
• Provide training, coaching, guidance and practical tools for staff who manage volunteers, building confidence and capability across teams.
• Oversee organisation-wide volunteer recruitment systems and campaigns, ensuring accessible, inclusive and efficient recruitment pathways.
• Lead volunteer engagement, recognition and feedback activity to improve satisfaction e.g. Volunteer Survey and Volunteer Awards.
• Develop initiatives to widen participation and increase volunteer diversity, particularly among older people and those from the global majority.
• Ensure volunteering activity meets safeguarding, GDPR, health and safety, DBS and other relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate volunteer records, systems and reporting processes, to produce regular reports on volunteer recruitment, diversity, engagement, retention and impact, using data to drive improvements.
• Lead the renewal and maintenance of the Investing in Volunteers accreditation or equivalent quality standards.
• Directly manage the befriending volunteering service, ensuring safe, effective and high-quality delivery.
• Provide direct support in complex volunteer matters, escalations or organisational issues where required.
• Work with colleagues to develop corporate volunteering and external partnership opportunities.

General

To undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the continued smooth running of Age UK East London. To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with Age UK's East London's policies and procedures including EDI, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.

Other

To undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the smooth running of AUKEL. To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with AUKEL's policies and procedures including: Equity and Diversity, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, Data security, Safeguarding. Participate in learning and development opportunities and take responsibility for identifying your own learning needs.

Functional links

The role reports to the Head of People. A close working relationship with Heads of Service and Director of Services is required.