At a Glance
- Tasks: Support volunteers and manage applications for the Sea Cadets.
- Company: Join the Marine Society & Sea Cadets, a leading maritime charity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, hybrid working, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Equity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome diverse applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in youth development and support diverse communities.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and strong IT skills required.
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.
Working with our employees, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a strong vision and five‑year Future Ready strategy to meet the growing demand for what we provide, both for young people, seafarers and maritime professionals – and the thousands who aspire to be the sea cadets and marine professionals of the future. It is also about equipping them to achieve their potential and thrive in a rapidly changing world, while growing our charity to benefit even more people – including those from under‑represented or marginalised groups.
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.
Requirements:
- 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 organizing own workload and managing deadlines effectively.
Desirable:
- Experience of database inputting, record maintenance, and data management.
- Experience working with volunteers.
Benefits:
- 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.
Additional Information:
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 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
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the MSSC inside out! Research their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you connect with them during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in supporting their cause.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Volunteer Support Officer role. Personal connections can make a big difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the assessment day by practising common interview questions and scenarios related to volunteer support. Role-play with a friend to build your confidence and get comfortable discussing your relevant 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 tech-savvy and familiar with the organisation's processes.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Support Officer
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!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on customer service roles or any work with volunteers. We love seeing how you've handled enquiries and managed workloads in the past!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marine Society and Sea Cadets
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Volunteer Support Officer and the mission of the Marine Society & Sea Cadets. Familiarise yourself with their values and how they support volunteers. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your customer service skills, especially in handling challenging conversations. Think about times when you successfully managed enquiries or supported volunteers, as these will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Ready for Scenarios
Expect scenario-based questions where you might need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Practice responding to hypothetical situations related to volunteer support, such as dealing with a difficult volunteer or managing multiple applications at once.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few questions ready to ask about the team dynamics, the training provided, or how success is measured in this role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.