At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate and support a vibrant volunteer programme for Hackney Night Shelter.
- Company: Join a small charity making a big impact in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous annual leave, and pension contributions.
- Other info: Flexible role with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by helping vulnerable people and leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in volunteering, event organisation, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 32400 - 39600 £ per year.
- HACKNEY DOORWAYS JOB DESCRIPTION: VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
- Reports to: Director
Hours of work: Full time 37 hours per week (including some evenings and occasional weekends)
- Pension: 5% employer contribution, 3% employee contribution
- Annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays
- Based at: Hackney, E9
- PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
To coordinate the Hackney Night Shelter Volunteer Programme. Recruiting, inducting and supporting up to 200 volunteers, managing a rota covering the shifts at the night shelters.
Hackney Night shelter operates emergency accommodation for homeless people in Hackney.
As a small charity, we have a high dependency on the role of volunteer support in helping us deliver the service.
Currently we run a 20 bed mixed night shelter and are preparing to run 10 bed emergency severe weather night shelters.
We are also planning the reopening of a dedicated women's shelter.
The charity has a very small team of paid staff and we expect people to be highly flexible in their roles, with a \"can do\" attitude, willing to turn their hand to anything that needs to be done.
This role description therefore provides only a summary of the main duties and other tasks may be required.
Key responsibilities and duties
- Shelter Volunteers
- Manage the volunteer rotas for the services Hackney Doorways provide
- Make and maintain contact with volunteers by email and/or phone to ensure all shifts are covered
- Identify gaps in the rota and fill those from the volunteer base
- Manage catering volunteers and providers at the night shelters, including food deliveries
- Oversee volunteer recruitment, induction, training
- Main point of contact for shelter volunteers
- Respond to new volunteer enquiries
- Build and maintain excellent working relationships and communications with volunteers
- Maintain accurate up to date volunteer records and database in compliance with GDPR
- Community Volunteers and Events
- Organise training, learning and social events for volunteers
- Engage volunteers in topics relevant to homelessness
- Facilitate and support connections and communications between volunteers
- Coordinate volunteer support for ad-hoc projects and Hackney Doorways' programme of community fundraising activities
- Promote volunteering opportunities to corporates and the wider community
- General
- Ensure and support volunteers with adherence to Hackney Doorways' policies and procedures
- Participate in training, supervision and team meetings
- Represent Hackney Doorways in a professional manner at all times
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
- A good standard of education
- Experience of volunteering
- Experience of organising events
- Experience of using databases
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to work with guests, teams of volunteers
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries
- Ability to maintain good communications and working relationships with staff and volunteers
- Good administrative skills and ability to organise time effectively and manage a busy workload
- Excellent written and oral communications skills including the ability to communicate with volunteers, guests and professionals from a variety of fields of expertise
- Computer literacy with experience of using Microsoft Office
- Understanding of and empathy with the needs of marginalised and vulnerable people
- An understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice
- Commitment to the vision and values of the charity
Desirable
- A good standard of education
- Experience of volunteering
- Experience of organising events
- Experience of using databases
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to work with guests, teams of volunteers
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries
- Ability to maintain good communications and working relationships with staff and volunteers
- Good administrative skills and ability to organise time effectively and manage a busy workload
- Excellent written and oral communications skills including the ability to communicate with volunteers, guests and professionals from a variety of fields of expertise
- Computer literacy with experience of using Microsoft Office
- Understanding of and empathy with the needs of marginalised and vulnerable people
- An understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice
- Commitment to the vision and values of the charity
Volunteer Coordinator employer: Hackney Doorways
Hackney Doorways provides a supportive work environment with a focus on flexibility and collaboration. Employees benefit from competitive salaries and generous leave policies, making it an attractive place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Coordinator
✨Get Involved with Local Causes
Start connecting with local nonprofits or social impact projects in your area. Attend their events, offer to help out with community initiatives, or just drop by to chat about their mission. This way, you’ll not only learn about the work they do but also make meaningful connections that could lead to volunteer opportunities.
✨Leverage Social Media for Social Impact
Platforms like Twitter and Instagram are goldmines for discovering volunteer opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Follow organisations you’re passionate about, engage with their posts, and keep an eye out for their volunteer calls. It’s a great way to show your interest and dedication!
✨Utilise Volunteer Matching Platforms
Sites like VolunteerMatch or local community boards are perfect for finding short-term and long-term volunteer roles. These platforms can connect you with causes that align with your passions and skills, and often allow you to browse opportunities tailored to your interests.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you spot an organisation you like, don't hesitate to visit their website and check out their volunteer section. Many nonprofits have dedicated pages for volunteers where you can apply directly – and we’ve found that this route often leads to quicker responses and more personalised interactions!
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Coordinator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Share Your Passion for Social Impact:When you're applying for a volunteer role at a nonprofit like Hackney Doorways, don’t just list your skills. Show us why you're passionate about social impact! Use your cover letter to tell a story about what drives you and how you've been involved in similar initiatives. Personal connections to the cause can really make your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase any previous volunteer work or projects that demonstrate your commitment to social impact. Whether it’s fundraising, community outreach, or project management, detail your contributions and the results achieved. This kind of experience is invaluable in the nonprofit sector and can help us see your potential!
Get Creative with Your CV:In the world of nonprofits, a standard CV might not cut it. Consider using a more creative format that showcases your personality while maintaining professionalism. Use headings like 'Community Engagement' or 'Social Impact Projects' to highlight your experiences related to the role. Remember, we want to see what makes you unique!
Keep It Community-Focused:Make sure your application emphasises collaboration and community. Volunteer roles are about working well with others and contributing collectively towards a common goal. In your cover letter, mention any teamwork experiences or community projects you've been part of, and how you contributed to their success. This shows that you’re ready to jump into the collaborative spirit here at Hackney Doorways.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hackney Doorways
✨Know Your Passion
Dive deep into the mission of Hackney Doorways and understand the issues they tackle. When they ask about your motivation to volunteer, share specific experiences that link your passion to their cause—whether it’s local community work or a broader social impact.
✨Bring Your Skills to the Table
Highlight any relevant skills that can aid in their projects, such as fundraising, project management, or community organising. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve used these skills in past volunteer roles or relevant experiences.
✨Get Ready for Scenario Questions
In non-profit interviews, especially for volunteer roles, you might get scenario-based questions. Think about times when you've encountered challenges in team work or community engagement, and how you resolved them—this shows your problem-solving abilities.
✨Show Your Commitment
Since this is a volunteer role, they’ll likely want to see your commitment to the cause over an extended period. Be ready to discuss how much time you can dedicate, any special skills you can bring, and your eagerness to learn and grow with the organisation—this excites them to have you on board!
