At a Glance
- Tasks: Support volunteers by processing applications and maintaining records in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join the Marine Society & Sea Cadets, a leading maritime charity for youth development.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, hybrid working, and generous pension contributions.
- Other info: We value diversity and inclusivity, encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and strong IT skills, especially in Microsoft Excel.
The predicted salary is between 27300 - 27300 £ per year.
Location: MSSC National Support Centre, 200b Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JY
Contract: 35 hours per week
Salary: £27,300 gross per annum
Closing Date: Monday 25 May 2026
Interviews: Assessment Day at MSSC NSC on Monday 1 June 2026
Are you passionate about supporting volunteers and looking for a new opportunity? The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is the leading maritime charity for youth development and lifelong learning. We are a vibrant and growing charity inspiring young people to achieve their potential through challenge and nautical adventure and also enabling seafarers and maritime professionals to realise their potential through learning and career development.
We are currently looking for a Volunteer Support Officer with proven administrative and IT skills to join our busy Volunteer Support team based at our National Support Centre. This role plays a vital part in supporting the smooth and safe onboarding of adult volunteers within Sea Cadets. As a key member of the Volunteer Support Team, you will ensure that all administrative processes are completed. You will act as a first point of contact for volunteer enquiries, maintain high quality records throughout volunteers’ membership, maintaining MSSC’s commitment to safer recruitment and compliance.
Responsibilities- Support the processing of adult volunteer applications to join Sea Cadets, ensuring all personnel records are accurately updated on the CRM system.
- Review and approve volunteer references in line with MSSC’s Safer Recruitment Policy.
- Administer the enhanced disclosure process, acting as an MSSC counter-signatory.
- Process grants and claims relating to volunteer uniform allowances.
- Review and submit applications for UKSV Security Clearances and MOD 90 ID Cards.
- Respond to all Volunteer Support enquiries received by MSSC via email, post, and phone.
- Experience working in a customer‑focused role, handling a wide range of enquiries by phone and email, including challenging conversations.
- Excellent IT proficiency, particularly in Microsoft Excel and Outlook.
- Experience using data protection procedures and handling confidential information appropriately.
- Experience organising own workload and managing deadlines effectively.
- Experience of database inputting, record maintenance, and data management.
- Experience working with volunteers.
- 25 days annual leave per annum increasing with length of service
- Hybrid working for many roles
- Life assurance (4x salary)
- Private medical insurance
- Generous pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
- Cycle to work scheme
- Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
- Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential.
MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.
We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire. All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo pre-employment checks.
Volunteer Support Officer in London employer: Marine Society and Sea Cadets
Contact Detail:
Marine Society and Sea Cadets Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Support Officer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research MSSC and its mission. Understanding their values and goals will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in supporting their cause.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former volunteers and staff on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips and might even give you a heads-up about the interview process or what the team is really looking for.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the assessment day by practising common interview questions and scenarios related to volunteer support. Think about how you would handle challenging conversations and showcase your customer-focused experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the MSSC team and supporting their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Support Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Volunteer Support Officer role. We want to see your passion for supporting volunteers shine through!
Show Off Your IT Skills: Since this role requires excellent IT proficiency, especially in Microsoft Excel and Outlook, don’t forget to mention any relevant experience you have. We love seeing candidates who are tech-savvy!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your key points stand out without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marine Society and Sea Cadets
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Volunteer Support Officer inside out. Familiarise yourself with MSSC’s mission, values, and the specific responsibilities listed in the job description. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in supporting volunteers.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your administrative and IT skills, especially with Microsoft Excel and Outlook. Think of situations where you've successfully managed workloads or handled challenging customer enquiries. This will demonstrate your capability to thrive in a busy environment.
✨Be Ready for Scenarios
Since this role involves handling sensitive information and volunteer enquiries, be prepared for scenario-based questions. Think about how you would approach difficult conversations or manage confidential data. This shows you can handle the responsibilities of the role effectively.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity
MSSC values diversity and inclusion, so be ready to discuss how you can contribute to these principles. Share any experiences you have working with diverse groups or how you’ve supported under-represented individuals. This will align you with their commitment to equity and community service.