At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of volunteering by exploring innovative approaches and engaging new audiences.
- Company: Join Samaritans, a compassionate organisation dedicated to saving lives through volunteer support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hybrid working, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace welcoming applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team that values your voice and creativity in making an impact.
- Qualifications: Curiosity, collaboration skills, and experience in volunteer engagement or innovation projects.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 33000 € per year.
Help shape the future of volunteering at Samaritans. At Samaritans, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. As the needs of communities evolve, we need to rethink how people connect, contribute and make a difference. We’re looking for a Volunteering Innovation Advisor to help us explore, test and embed new approaches to volunteering for the years ahead.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is curious about emerging trends and motivated to find ways to reach people who do not currently volunteer with Samaritans. You’ll help develop new and more flexible models of volunteering—looking beyond our existing approaches to remove barriers, engage different audiences, and create opportunities that are both meaningful and sustainable.
This role is focused on developing new ways of attracting volunteers, with an emphasis on reaching new audiences and exploring different approaches.
What You’ll Do
- You’ll bring ideas to life by exploring how volunteering needs to evolve.
- You’ll research emerging trends and changing expectations to help shape new roles, opportunities and approaches to volunteering—particularly focused on attracting and engaging new volunteers to Samaritans.
- You’ll use insight to design and test new ways of reaching different audiences, removing barriers to involvement, and creating more flexible and inclusive opportunities.
- You’ll help answer questions like:
- How can Samaritans offer more flexible and inclusive opportunities?
- What motivates volunteers today, and how is that changing?
- How do we ensure our volunteering reflects the diversity of the communities we support?
- From gathering and interpreting insight to shaping ideas, planning projects and working with colleagues and volunteers, your role will be to turn thinking into action—helping to build a more inclusive, future-focused approach to volunteering across the organisation.
What You’ll Bring
- Curiosity and openness to innovation, with experience of exploring new ways of working.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of people, including staff and volunteers.
- Ability to use research and insight to inform decisions and shape new approaches.
- Experience of contributing to change, improvement or innovation projects.
- Experience in a volunteering-focused organisation, with an understanding of volunteer engagement, including how to reach and involve different audiences.
At Samaritans, you’ll be part of a people-first organisation deeply committed to inclusion, compassion and learning. You’ll contribute to a team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.
We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience and encourage those from underrepresented communities to apply. We are committed to creating an environment where all our people feel seen, heard and supported.
You’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission and a collaborative culture. We offer flexible hybrid working, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland.
We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are.
At Samaritans, human connection is at the heart of everything we do.
Volunteering Innovation Advisor in Surrey employer: Samaritans
Samaritans is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first culture, fostering inclusion, compassion, and continuous learning. As a Volunteering Innovation Advisor, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of volunteering while working in a collaborative environment that values your voice and expertise. With flexible hybrid working arrangements, excellent benefits, and a commitment to making a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland, Samaritans offers a meaningful and rewarding career path for those passionate about community engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteering Innovation Advisor in Surrey
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Samaritans inside out! Research their values, mission, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your approach and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current volunteers or staff on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and insights. This can give you a unique perspective and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by thinking about innovative ideas you could bring to the role. Be ready to discuss how you would tackle the challenges of attracting new volunteers and creating inclusive opportunities.
✨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 team at Samaritans.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteering Innovation Advisor in Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to hear your unique voice and insights, so don’t hold back! Share your experiences and ideas in a way that feels natural to you.
Tailor Your Responses:Make sure to align your answers with the job description. Highlight your curiosity about volunteering trends and how your past experiences can help shape new approaches at Samaritans. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role!
Keep It Concise:With a 300-word limit for each answer, it’s important to be clear and to the point. Focus on the most relevant experiences and insights that showcase your ability to innovate and engage new volunteers.
Check Your Work:Before hitting send, give your application a good once-over. Look out for any typos or awkward phrasing. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which we really value at Samaritans.
How to prepare for a job interview at Samaritans
✨Research Samaritans and Their Values
Before your interview, take some time to really understand what Samaritans stands for. Familiarise yourself with their mission, values, and the role of volunteers in their work. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the organisation.
✨Showcase Your Curiosity and Innovation
As a Volunteering Innovation Advisor, your ability to think outside the box is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've explored new ways of working or contributed to innovative projects in the past. Be ready to discuss emerging trends in volunteering and how they could apply to Samaritans.
✨Prepare Insight-Driven Ideas
Think about how you can use research and insight to inform your ideas on volunteer engagement. Come prepared with suggestions on how to attract diverse audiences and create flexible opportunities. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and understanding of the role's requirements.
✨Practice Collaborative Scenarios
Since this role involves working with a wide range of people, practice discussing how you would collaborate with both staff and volunteers. Think of specific scenarios where teamwork led to successful outcomes, and be ready to share these experiences during your interview.
