Volunteer Coordinator

Main Purpose

The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for coordinating volunteer recruitment and selection, using innovative opportunities to engage with others and encourage participation. The postholder will be involved in all elements of the volunteer journey, including recruitment, selection, training, stewardship, recognition and exit; whilst maintaining accurate records within the volunteer management system. The Volunteer Coordinator will also support staff with the management of volunteers, helping to resolve day-to-day issues encountered by volunteers, and build and maintain engaging relationships with volunteers, ensuring they have a positive and meaningful experience.

Working with a range of teams across three sites, the Volunteer Coordinator provides expert support and guidance to staff on the effective stewardship, engagement and management of volunteers. They will also work with colleagues to identify and develop opportunities for volunteer involvement, matching volunteers to need. This role requires high levels of emotional intelligence, creativity, drive and initiative, and a positive attitude to working with a variety of people at all levels. This role may involve occasional evening and weekend working, with some travel across three sites. This post is subject to a successful DBS check.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Recruitment, Selection and Induction of Volunteers

• To be the first point of contact for volunteering enquiries and applications.
• Take ownership and responsibility for the coordination of all relevant application, interview, selection and training processes for volunteers, including the processing of DBS checks and associated administration.
• Coordinate the promotion and advertisement of volunteering opportunities, including targeted recruitment campaigns.
• Conduct volunteer interviews, either face-to-face or over the telephone.
• Ensure excellent service is delivered in a timely manner and that processes are efficient and robust.
• Plan and deliver engaging training and development opportunities for volunteers to support them in undertaking their role.
• Represent Aurora Wellbeing to a range of external audiences, building and maintaining effective relationships to raise awareness of volunteering opportunities and support the recruitment of volunteers.
• Attend relevant internal and external events to recruit volunteers and promote the work of Aurora Wellbeing within local communities.
• Work with other teams within Aurora Wellbeing to identify, develop and promote new opportunities for volunteer involvement.

• To be the central point of contact for all volunteers.
• Maintain regular communication with volunteers, providing guidance, support and direction.
• Respond to any day-to-day queries from volunteers, helping to resolve issues encountered by volunteers when undertaking their role and escalating any issues to the Head of Volunteering as appropriate.
• Provide support and supervision for volunteers, through a range of face-to-face, telephone, digital or group activities.
• Provide efficient administrative support to ensure the effective running of all stages of the volunteer journey and lifecycle.
• Promote the active engagement of volunteers.
• Support the recognition of the impact volunteers have and value the contributions they make.
• Ensure effective communication, engagement and recognition of Aurora Wellbeing volunteers through social media, newsletters, events and other innovative opportunities.

• Provide proactive support and guidance to staff on volunteering best practice and the effective management, stewardship, and engagement.
• Act as a source of knowledge on volunteering related matters, providing timely advice in line with policies and procedures.
• Work with colleagues across the organisation to support the rollout of initiatives for volunteer recruitment, retention and engagement as necessary.

• Maintain accurate volunteer records on our data management systems, ensuring that volunteer information is kept up to date and data is stored and processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Code of Fundraising Practice.
• Provide volunteer KPI information as required.
• Build and maintain relationships with organisations within the local community to promote the work of Aurora.

• To attend staff development programmes, training courses, and conferences as deemed necessary.
• To attend staff meetings.
• To take responsibility for attendance at mandatory training sessions.
• To undertake professional development/training considered necessary.
• To follow Aurora’s code of practice in matters such as Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Equal Opportunities and Data Protection.

Qualifications & Experience Required

• Educated to equivalent GCSE level 4 or above in Maths and English.
• Evidence of training or development relevant to volunteering.
• Relevant professional or personal experience of volunteering or working with communities.
• Experience of recruiting and supporting others using a formal process.
• Experience of using CRM or database systems to input data and maintain accurate records.
• Experience of managing own daily workload.
• Experience of working collaboratively, both within an organisation and with external stakeholders and partners.

Desirable

• Evidence of training or development relevant to volunteering.
• Experience of working with or managing volunteers.
• Experience of working with vulnerable people or in a confidential, sensitive environment.
• Experience of designing, delivering or coordinating the training of others.

Knowledge & Skills Required

• An appreciation of the value of volunteers in an organisation, including their recruitment, diversity, inclusion, support and stewardship.
• Empathy with volunteers and an understanding of their needs.
• A good understanding of GDPR and the ability to process sensitive/personal information appropriately.
• Able to prioritise a diverse workload and manage competing demands and deadlines.
• Excellent administrative skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• A good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of volunteering best practice and current trends and developments.
• An understanding of the Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
• Confident in presenting to a diverse range of audiences.
• Ability to deliver training to small groups (10-15 people).

Person Specification

• Motivated, with an enthusiasm for the role.
• Warm and empathetic.
• Creative, agile and willing to explore new opportunities.
• Flexible, positive attitude and ability to work independently.

The above duties and responsibilities are intended to represent current priorities and are not meant to be a conclusive list. The post holder may from time to time be asked to undertake other reasonable duties. Any changes will be made in discussion with the post holder considering service needs.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 20th May. Successful short-listed candidates will be invited to interview week commencing 25th May.