At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a new emergency night shelter for homeless women, ensuring a welcoming and supportive environment.
- Company: Hackney Doorways, a charity dedicated to helping vulnerable individuals.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous annual leave, pension contributions, and a supportive team.
- Other info: Flexible role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of homeless women while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with homeless individuals, strong communication skills, and a positive attitude.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Reports to: Director
Hours of work: Full time 37 hours per week (may include occasional evening or weekend work)
Salary: NJC points 20-23 including inner London weighting (currently £39,915)
Pension: 5% employer contribution, 3% employee contribution
Annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays
Based at: Hackney
Purpose of the role
To oversee the development and then management of a new emergency night shelter for homeless women in Hackney. 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
- To ensure that guests receive a welcoming and inclusive service
- To set up and then manage a referral process to ensure maximum occupancy of the shelter
- Allocate bedspaces to appropriate guests in accordance with the shelter's eligibility criteria
- Responsible for the welfare and safety of the guests and their understanding and compliance with a Guest Agreement
- Develop and implement individual support plans and, in cooperation with partner agencies, ensure that all guests are provided with positive routes out of homelessness
- Keeping guests informed and assisted to access appropriate services and signposting to local agencies
- Respond appropriately to any anti-social behaviour, emergencies, incidents or disruption
- Take responsibility for housekeeping, hospitality, and hygiene of the shelter
- Support with building and room maintenance as necessary, including practical duties
- To ensure supply and function of equipment, consumables and supplies are maintained
- Carry out necessary health and safety checks as required and report repairs, renewals, health and safety concerns etc. to appropriate colleagues in a timely manner
- Maintain a high standard of record keeping and ensure that appropriate administrative procedures are adhered to
- Manage a petty cash float ensuring that proper financial procedures are adhered to at all times
- Support the coordinated effort of volunteers
- Maintain an in-depth and up to date knowledge of all Hackney Doorways' practices, policies and procedures, including safeguarding of vulnerable adults
- Participate in training, supervision and team meetings
- Represent Hackney Doorways in a professional manner at all times
Person specification
- A good standard of education
- Experience of working with homeless people
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to work with guests, teams of volunteers
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries
- 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
- A resilient and positive temperament with the ability to work in a challenging and sometimes discouraging environment
- 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
- Knowledge of local services
- First Aid certificate
- Food Safety certificate
- Fire Marshal / Fire Warden certification
Applicant requirements
Appointment will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and DBS check with a six month probationary period.
Closing date: 30 November 2026 but we may make an appointment before that if a suitable candidate is identified.
Start date: ASAP!
Women's Shelter 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 Women's Shelter Coordinator
✨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 Hackney Doorways.
✨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 Hackney Doorways.
✨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 Hackney Doorways.
✨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 Hackney Doorways. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Women's Shelter Coordinator
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 Hackney Doorways. 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 Women's Shelter 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 Hackney Doorways
✨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 Hackney Doorways. 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!