At a Glance
- Tasks: Recruit and support volunteers to transform children's lives through reading.
- Company: Join Doorstep Library, a passionate team dedicated to promoting literacy.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25 days annual leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while building connections and gaining experience.
- Qualifications: Organised, people-focused individuals with a passion for community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 27583 - 27583 £ per year.
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours per week: Full time – 35 hours per week (excluding lunch breaks)
Working pattern: Our core working hours are between 9.00am and 7.00pm
Main Location: Hybrid working – working from home and at our Head Office in Victoria (8-10 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH)
Reports to: Service Delivery Manager
Direct Reports: None
Annual Salary: £27,583
Full Time Annual Leave Allowance: 25 days per annum (rising to 27 days after two years’ service and 30 days after five years’ service), plus bank holidays
Pension Contributions: 6% (based on a 2% minimum employee contribution)
Additional Benefits: flexible working, Employee Assistance Programme, staff discount scheme (BenefitHub), salary sacrifice
ABOUT US
Doorstep Library believes every child deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of reading. We work with children and families facing barriers to accessing books, helping to nurture a lifelong love of reading through regular, personalised reading sessions in the home and online. Since 2010, we’ve supported thousands of children across London, creating positive reading experiences that build confidence, strengthen family relationships and improve literacy. Our work is made possible by a passionate community of staff, volunteers, partners and supporters who share our vision that every child should have the chance to thrive through the power of books. Our impact is long-lasting. For us, the ‘happy ever after’ is when we know the power of literacy and the joy of reading are helping a child change their own story for good. Every story shared is a story changed.
JOB PURPOSE
- Recruiting & onboarding volunteers to meet strategic targets
- Engagement and retention of volunteers
- Scheduling of volunteers and coordination of volunteers for their reading sessions each week
- Managing stand-in volunteers
ABOUT THE ROLE
Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and this role is key to ensuring they have an exceptional experience from the moment they apply. We are seeking two Volunteer Coordinators to lead the end-to-end volunteer journey, attracting, recruiting, onboarding and supporting volunteers who help transform children’s lives through the joy of reading. This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. You’ll build relationships with applicants, community partners and colleagues across the organisation, develop creative recruitment initiatives, coordinate training and events, and use volunteer feedback to continually improve our programme. If you’re an organised, people-focused professional who enjoys building connections, creating positive experiences and making a meaningful difference, we’d love to hear from you.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Coordinator in London
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Doorstep Library.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Doorstep Library.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Doorstep Library.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Doorstep Library. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Coordinator in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Doorstep Library. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Volunteer Coordinator, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Doorstep Library
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Doorstep Library. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
