At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead outreach services and develop volunteers to provide impactful community advice.
- Company: Citizens Advice Lewisham, dedicated to social impact and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Empower local residents while building your leadership skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with volunteers and community services; strong communication and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 36000 £ per year.
Salary £34,000 – £36,000 per annum (depending on experience). Location: Across the London Borough of Lewisham, including Bellingham and Downham. Contract: Fixed-term (aligned to project funding). Hours: 35 hours per week. Travel: Regular travel required across community locations in Lewisham. Reporting to: Advice Services Manager.
About the Role
Citizens Advice Lewisham is pleased to be working in partnership with the Merchant Taylors’ Foundation to deliver an ambitious and community-focused Training Academy. This programme will establish sustainable, community-based advice hubs while equipping local residents with the skills, knowledge and confidence to become trained volunteer advisers. The Volunteer and Outreach Supervisor will play a central role in the success of this initiative.
Role Purpose
The purpose of the role is to ensure the effective delivery of outreach advice services and the successful development of volunteers within the Training Academy. The postholder will ensure that services are accessible, well-coordinated and delivered to a high standard, while supporting volunteers to progress into confident and competent advisers.
Key Responsibilities
- The Volunteer and Outreach Supervisor will lead on the recruitment, training and ongoing development of volunteers.
- This will involve identifying and attracting individuals from local communities, ensuring inclusive and accessible recruitment processes, and supporting volunteers through structured training pathways.
- The postholder will provide regular supervision, mentoring and feedback, helping volunteers to build confidence and develop the skills required to deliver advice effectively.
- They will also maintain accurate records of volunteer progression and contribute to the continuous improvement of training provision.
- Alongside this, the role will take responsibility for coordinating outreach services across a range of community settings.
- This will include planning and scheduling sessions, ensuring appropriate staffing and resources are in place, and working flexibly across multiple locations.
- A key focus of the role will be to ensure that services reach those who need them most, particularly individuals facing barriers to accessing traditional advice channels.
- The postholder will play an important role in maintaining the quality of advice provision.
- This will include supervising volunteers delivering advice, reviewing casework, and providing constructive feedback to ensure compliance with Citizens Advice standards.
- Where issues are identified, the Supervisor will take a supportive and developmental approach, ensuring that learning needs are addressed and that clients receive accurate and effective advice at all times.
- Developing strong relationships with local partners will also be central to the role.
- The postholder will work closely with community organisations, statutory services and referral partners to ensure effective collaboration and to promote awareness of the service.
- They will contribute to engagement activity that strengthens the visibility and accessibility of advice provision within the community.
- The role will also involve maintaining accurate records, contributing to monitoring and reporting requirements, and supporting the evaluation of the programme.
- This includes tracking volunteer outcomes, service delivery and client impact, ensuring that the project meets its objectives and demonstrates its value.
- More broadly, the postholder will contribute to the wider work of the organisation, working collaboratively with colleagues, supporting service development and upholding a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Person Specification
- Experience of working with, supporting or managing volunteers.
- Experience of coordinating services, ideally in a community or outreach setting.
- Understanding of advice services or similar client-focused support provision.
- Knowledge of working with vulnerable or diverse communities.
- Awareness of learning, training or development approaches.
- Accredited as Citizens Advice Supervisor or equivalent Qualification.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to motivate, support and develop individuals.
- Ability to organise and coordinate work across multiple locations.
- Ability to monitor performance and maintain quality standards.
- Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgement.
- Good IT skills, including ability to maintain accurate records and reports.
- Commitment to the aims, principles and values of Citizens Advice.
- Strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Flexible, adaptable and proactive approach.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to build positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Experience of partnership working across voluntary, community or statutory sectors.
- Knowledge of quality assurance frameworks within advice services.
We’re Disability Confident
Disability Confident is a government scheme that supports employers to improve how they recruit, retain, and develop disabled people.
Volunteer and Outreach Supervisor employer: Citizens Advice BANES
Contact Detail:
Citizens Advice BANES Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer and Outreach Supervisor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the community, attend local events, and engage with organisations that align with your values. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities you might not find online.
✨Tip Number 2
Show up and shine! When you get the chance to meet potential employers or partners, be confident and showcase your passion for community work. Share your experiences and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after meetings or events! A quick email thanking them for their time and reiterating your interest can keep you on their radar. It shows you're proactive and genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources and tips to help you ace your application process. Plus, it’s a great way to show your commitment to joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer and Outreach Supervisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Volunteer and Outreach Supervisor. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for community work and supporting volunteers. Share specific examples of how you've made a positive impact in similar roles or projects, as this will resonate with our mission at StudySmarter.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key skills and experiences shine through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application via our website! This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Citizens Advice BANES
✨Know Your Community
Familiarise yourself with the local communities in Lewisham, especially Bellingham and Downham. Understand their unique challenges and needs, as this will show your commitment to social impact and help you connect with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Volunteer Management Skills
Prepare examples of your experience in managing or supporting volunteers. Highlight specific instances where you've successfully recruited, trained, or developed individuals, as this role heavily focuses on volunteer development.
✨Demonstrate Coordination Experience
Be ready to discuss your experience in coordinating services across multiple locations. Share how you've effectively organised outreach activities and ensured high-quality service delivery, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Communication Skills
Strong verbal and written communication skills are key for this position. Prepare to discuss how you've used these skills to build relationships with stakeholders or deliver effective training, showcasing your ability to motivate and support others.