Volunteering Development Lead

Volunteering Development Lead

Volunteer 35000 - 38000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative volunteering projects that make a real difference in the farming community.
  • Company: Join RABI, a charity dedicated to supporting farming people across the UK.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, life assurance, and a generous pension scheme.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Be part of a mission to empower farmers and create meaningful volunteering opportunities.
  • Qualifications: Experience in project management and volunteer engagement is essential.

The predicted salary is between 35000 - 38000 £ per year.

RABI supports farming people across England, Wales and NI with expert, one-to-one practical, financial and emotional help, all year round. From confidential advice and mental health support to direct financial assistance, their tailored services respond to the unique challenges of farming life. At the heart of RABI’s mission is a commitment to strengthening resilience; helping farming people feel valued, supported and better equipped to navigate uncertainty and change. RABI is working to close the farming wellbeing gap and build a future where farming people can thrive.

ROLE OVERVIEW

This role is central to how we evolve and grow volunteering at RABI. The Volunteering Development Lead will be an experienced project lead and good relationship manager who will design, test and scale new models of volunteering that help us reach more people, increase flexibility, broaden our demographic and create meaningful ways for individuals to get involved. This is an exciting project lead role with a strong mandate to innovate and flexibility to be creative. Spanning innovation, collaboration and delivery, you’ll help bring people and ideas together. You’ll spot where volunteers can make the biggest impact and support colleagues to put new approaches into practice with confidence. This is a dynamic role suited to someone energetic, creative and comfortable turning ideas into action.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead the project management of new volunteering opportunities across multiple stakeholders.
  • Design, pilot and evaluate new volunteering opportunities, ensuring they are accessible, purposeful and aligned with organisational priorities.
  • Lead the development of priority initiatives such as community, event and skills-based volunteering and involving key internal teams, existing volunteers, and external supporters of collaboration in development.
  • Use insight, data and volunteer feedback to reiterate and improve new models before wider rollout.
  • Build internal confidence by equipping teams with practical tools, templates, and training to involve volunteers effectively.
  • Work in partnership with the Volunteering Experience Lead and Coordinator to ensure new roles transition smoothly into ongoing delivery.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Maintain strong relationships with internal teams, ensuring alignment across departments.
  • Take a proactive role in team meetings, agenda setting, and action tracking.
  • Ensure compliance with policies and other regulatory requirements.
  • Engage in continuous professional development through training and feedback.
  • Represent RABI at events and outreach initiatives.
  • Support team operations during absences and assist with additional tasks as needed.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

  • Good people and skills.
  • Demonstrable ability to turn ideas into volunteering projects and opportunities.
  • Confident in leading new and untested development and building new opportunities from scratch.
  • Strong knowledge of volunteer management, best practice, and policy.
  • Experience designing and delivering training or workshops.
  • Good understanding of inclusive and accessible volunteering practice.
  • Good digital literacy, experience using MS Office and CRM, and volunteer portals.
  • Willingness and ability to travel occasionally, including overnight stays.
  • A full UK driving licence, as travel within England and Wales, will be required.
  • Understanding of rural or community-based volunteering.
  • Experience involving people with lived experience in service development.
  • Experience supporting organisational or cultural change.

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (based on full time working). Enrolment to Nest on commencement of employment and then opportunity to join RABI’s group pension scheme with Standard Life where RABI makes contributions equivalent to 10% of your basic salary, provided you make a personal contribution of 5%. Life assurance from day one. Access to our Employee Assistance Programme.

RABI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and aims to ensure that all employment practices secure equality of opportunity and that no prospective or current employee receives less than favourable treatment at RABI because of their sex, sexual orientation, age, race, religion, belief, ethnic origin, disability, marital, or for any other reason which cannot be shown to be justifiable. Our recruitment process strives to ensure that individuals are selected only based on their relevant skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities.

£35,000 to £38,000 per annum (plus £2500 car allowance) Hours 35 Competitive 28-06-2026

Volunteering Development Lead employer: Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution

RABI is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting the farming community across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. With a strong commitment to employee growth, RABI offers a dynamic work culture that encourages innovation and creativity, particularly in the role of Volunteering Development Lead. Employees benefit from generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and access to professional development opportunities, all while contributing to meaningful initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of farming people.

Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution

Contact Details:

Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Volunteering Development Lead

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the farming and volunteering sectors. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with RABI staff on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.

Tip Number 2

Show your passion for volunteering! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your ideas on how to innovate volunteering opportunities. Let them see your enthusiasm for making a difference in the farming community.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by researching RABI’s current initiatives. Think about how your skills can help them evolve their volunteering programmes. Tailor your responses to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for their mission.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the RABI team and contributing to their amazing work.

We think you need these skills to ace Volunteering Development Lead

Project Management
Relationship Management
Volunteer Management
Training and Workshop Delivery
Data Analysis
Innovation and Creativity
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for volunteering and supporting the farming community shine through. We want to see how your values align with RABI's mission to help farming people thrive.

Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in volunteer management and project development. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to turn ideas into action, so don’t hold back!

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.

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 role at RABI.

How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution

Know RABI Inside Out

Before your interview, dive deep into RABI's mission and values. Understand their commitment to supporting farming communities and how they deliver their services. This knowledge will help you align your answers with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.

Showcase Your Project Management Skills

As a Volunteering Development Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your project management experience. Prepare specific examples of past projects where you've designed, piloted, or evaluated new initiatives. Highlight how you managed stakeholders and ensured successful outcomes.

Emphasise Relationship Building

Strong relationships are key in this role. Be ready to discuss how you've built and maintained relationships with various stakeholders in previous roles. Share examples of how you've collaborated with teams to achieve common goals, especially in volunteer management.

Be Creative and Innovative

RABI is looking for someone who can think outside the box. Come prepared with ideas on how to innovate volunteering opportunities. Discuss any creative approaches you've taken in the past and how they led to positive changes or increased engagement.