At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate and support volunteer activities to ensure a positive experience.
- Company: Join a leading charity dedicated to training dogs that save lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by engaging with volunteers and supporting life-saving initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in volunteer coordination and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 32000 € per year.
Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire (minimum 3 days in office per week)
Salary: £29,000 - £32,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: 12 month contract, Full time 37.5 hours per week
Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives. We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.
Main Purpose & Scope of the Role: The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for the coordination, delivery and ongoing support of volunteer activity across the charity, ensuring volunteers have a positive, meaningful and well-supported experience. This role combines hands-on volunteer coordination with people engagement activity, supporting engagement, communication and safeguarding processes across both volunteers and staff. The postholder works closely with colleagues across the organisation to ensure volunteer involvement is well-planned, compliant and aligned with operational needs.
What You’ll Do:
- You will coordinate the end to end volunteer journey, from recruitment and onboarding through to ongoing support, engagement and departure.
- You will act as a key point of contact for volunteers, support teams to work effectively with volunteers, and ensure accurate records, communication and safeguarding processes are maintained.
Reports to: People Engagement Manager
About the Role: This is an operational, people-focused role suited to someone who enjoys building relationships, organising activity and supporting others. You will work closely with staff, volunteers and external partners, ensuring volunteering activity runs smoothly and consistently across the charity. The role requires excellent organisation, strong communication skills and confidence.
Responsibilities of the Role:
- Volunteer Recruitment & Engagement
- Coordinate volunteer recruitment activity to meet charity needs
- Support the delivery of volunteer marketing campaigns across social media, recruitment platforms and community networks
- Build and maintain relationships with community groups, schools, businesses and partner organisations
- Represent the charity at volunteer recruitment events and community activities
- Support interviews and suitability assessments for prospective volunteers
- Ensure references and checks are completed in line with policy
- Volunteer Onboarding, Training & Support
- Coordinate induction processes for new volunteers
- Ensure volunteers receive appropriate role specific training, working with internal teams
- Maintain regular communication with volunteers to support engagement and retention
- Act as a key point of contact for volunteer queries or concerns
- Support volunteers leaving the organisation and gather feedback
- Volunteer Engagement & Communication
- Support clear and consistent communication with volunteers across the charity
- Maintain and update volunteer communications via Assemble and other platforms
- Support the Volunteer Forum and other engagement initiatives
- Develop and maintain guidance and resources for staff working with volunteers
- Compliance & Administration
- Ensure volunteer activity complies with safeguarding, GDPR, health & safety and volunteer management standards
- Maintain accurate and up to date volunteer records on Assemble
- Monitor volunteer data and prepare basic reports on recruitment, engagement and retention
- Escalate safeguarding or compliance concerns to the appropriate manager
- Fundraising & Cross Departmental Support
- Coordinate volunteer involvement in fundraising events and campaigns
- Work closely with fundraising, operations and HR colleagues to ensure volunteer support is effective and well planned
- Promote good practice in volunteering across teams
Person Specification:
Experience & Qualifications
- Essential
- Experience in volunteer coordination, people engagement or a related role
- Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail
- Confident communicator with the ability to build positive relationships quickly
- Experience working with databases or volunteer management systems
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams
- Understanding of safeguarding and confidentiality principles
- Good IT skills including Microsoft 365
- Desirable
- Experience working in the charity sector
- Knowledge of volunteer management systems (e.g. Assemble)
- Experience supporting training or group facilitation
- Interest in animal welfare, assistance dogs or medical research
Other Requirements: Willingness to travel occasionally to attend recruitment events or meetings
Diversity, Equality & Inclusion: We are a welcoming, diverse and inclusive charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
To Apply: If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Medical Detection Dogs, please do not hesitate to apply.
Volunteer Coordinator in Milton Keynes employer: Medical Detection Dogs
Medical Detection Dogs is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work in a small yet ambitious charity dedicated to saving lives through innovative medical research and assistance dog training. Located in Milton Keynes, the organisation fosters a supportive and inclusive work culture, providing employees with meaningful roles that contribute directly to community welfare and health advancements. With a strong emphasis on volunteer engagement and development, staff can expect ample opportunities for personal growth and collaboration within a passionate team committed to making a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Coordinator in Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the charity sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Volunteer Coordinator role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get social! Follow Medical Detection Dogs on social media and engage with their posts. This shows your genuine interest in their mission and can help you stand out when it comes to interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching common questions for volunteer coordination roles. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around volunteer engagement and support.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Medical Detection Dogs.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Coordinator in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in volunteer coordination and people engagement. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Medical Detection Dogs!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for animal welfare and medical research shine through in your application. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about what we do and can convey that passion in their writing.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts well, so we can easily see how you fit the role of Volunteer Coordinator.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through 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 Medical Detection Dogs
✨Know the Organisation Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you research Medical Detection Dogs thoroughly. Understand their mission, the role of the Volunteer Coordinator, and how they engage with volunteers. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you tailor your answers to align with their values.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a Volunteer Coordinator, you'll be working closely with volunteers and staff. Prepare examples from your past experiences that highlight your ability to build relationships, communicate effectively, and support others. Think about times when you've successfully engaged a group or resolved conflicts.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and your approach to volunteer management. For instance, how would you handle a situation where a volunteer is not meeting expectations? Practising your responses to these types of questions can help you feel more confident during the interview.
✨Prepare Questions to Ask
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, team dynamics, and the charity's future plans. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you determine if it's the right fit for you. Plus, it gives you a chance to engage with your interviewers on a deeper level.
