Volunteer Manager

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

The Volunteer Manager role is responsible for recruiting, engaging and deploying volunteers into a wide variety of roles across the charit

Ensure the wellbeing of the volunteers, including good communication and arranging a minimum of two volunteer events a year.

Gathering volunteer feedback and take appropriate steps for improvement.

Ensure that volunteers receive training, development and supervision to ensure high standards of practice are maintained. Promoting initiatives to increase the retention of existing volunteers and ensure that they are recognised and rewarded for their work.

Proactively liaise with the staff team to determine volunteer requirements, select volunteers for the right roles and match them to the right people, considering preferences and restrictions on both sides

ROLE OF DEPARTMENT

Hospice of the Valleys has volunteers across all aspects of the service. From retail volunteers within our charity shops to well-being volunteers working directly with patients and carers with palliative and life limiting conditions. As such the Volunteer manager will work across all departments. Working with team leads to create new volunteer roles and enhance existing roles. Engaging new volunteers as well as supporting existing volunteers is essential.

SCOPE AND RANGE

To develop innovative ways of working to ensure positive outcomes for those receiving the service.

To represent and promote the service in relevant meetings.

To ensure the transfer of knowledge and sharing of best practice across the Team and Services.

To ensure effective partnership working and engagement to achieve and deliver these objectives.

MAIN TASKS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To be responsible for developing Hospice of the Valleys volunteer strategy.

To seek opportunities to raise the profile of the volunteer network, and grow its capacity and reach.

To be responsible for running volunteer events and producing relevant communication materials.

To proactively recruit volunteers and provide appropriate training and development opportunities,

To work closely with other departments to develop and implement their strategies for engagement.

To work collaboratively with the fundraising team to explore and support volunteer philanthropy.

To ensure that a robust monitoring and evaluation framework is in place for volunteer relations.

To work with senior colleagues to ensure safeguarding policies are robust.

Be responsible for developing and implementing a robust induction process suitable to the needs of the various volunteer groups.

Ensure that thorough and accurate record keeping for all volunteers is prioritised

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRE

Ability to identify learning needs in others, and to utilise education opportunities.

Ability to demonstrate contribution to policy development.

Basic level competence in the standard range of IT programs.

Able to demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills.

Experience working within the voluntary community and/or charity sector.

Experience or aptitude to manage and deliver induction and training courses.

Committed to building an inclusive culture in which all volunteers are valued.

Ability to work under own initiative with minimal supervision, accuracy and attention to detail and to prioritise workload to meet all agreed deadlines.

Reliable and adaptable, able to respond to changing priorities

Strong organisational skills; ability to identify all key steps and resources needed to complete a task and to manage a wide range of tasks concurrently

Ability to work effectively as a member of a small team and maintain communications where members of that team are working different flexible days and hours

PRACTICE, EDUCATION & SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

To take personal responsibility for keeping up to date with legislation, research findings and practice knowledge, including attendance at appropriate training as required by the Hospice of the Valleys.

Work to maintain the values and aims of the Hospice of the Valleys and work in line with required policies and procedures.

Practice and promote confidentiality at all times, complying with the Hospices GDPR policies appropriate to your area of work.

Contribute to training and practice development.

To support the provision of learning opportunities.

To comply with Gwent Safeguarding Boards Safeguarding procedures and practice.

Demonstrate efficient time management and flexible attitude to working patterns.

To ensure the maintenance of such records and management information systems as appropriate.

Positively commit to Hospice of the Valleys performance management process including annual appraisals and one to one meetings, taking responsibility for personal and professional development.

Treat everyone with respect and dignity.

Maintain a professional, friendly and positive influence, maintaining awareness of how your behaviour can affect and influence the behaviour of others.

Committed to building an inclusive culture in which all volunteers are valued.

To represent Hospice of the Valleys in the community and public domain as appropriate.

Contribute toward clinical and corporate governance agendas as appropriate.

EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY

Post holder will be provided with a mobile telephone and laptop.

SYSTEMS

The post holder will be responsible for working within the policies and procedures of the organisation and will be responsible for updating policies relevant to the service area.

The employee handbook will be provided which will outline all relevant policies and processes.

DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS

High-level assessment, problem solving and decision-making skills will be required.

Decision making undertaken with a person centred and evidence-based approach utilising robust outcome measures.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

Physical Effort

Working in an open plan office whereby confidentiality and sensitive conversations are difficult due to noise level.

Concentration required for volunteer related activities within an unpredictable environment.

Ability to manage challenges and possible conflict with other professionals in the process of ensuring best practice is established.

Working within all aspects of Health and Safety at Work and Governance guidelines to ensure they are adhered to and to highlight to appropriate staff when health or safety of volunteers, staff, patients or carers is at risk.

There is a requirement that the post holder will drive.

Mental Effort

Be expected to deal with frequent interruptions due to the unpredictability of the work.

Emotional Effort

Supporting volunteers who have been linked with patients/carers who have life limiting or palliative conditions and the emotional impact this has.

MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB

Working within a fast paced and ever-changing environment.

Managing safeguarding concerns.

Lone working.

Special Conditions and Professional Requirement

Requirement to travel independently throughout the Service Area.

-Enhanced Disclosure and Barring checks on appointment and at periodic intervals.

This is an outline job description and may be subject to change, according to the needs of the organisation

Skills and Knowledge, special aptitudes

Essential

• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Understanding the needs of Volunteers.
• Able to advocate for others, representing their views in an objective manner.
• Demonstrates clear and advanced communication skills; written, verbal and non-verbal.
• Excellent planning and organisation skills.
• Able to develop effective interpersonal relationships with a diverse range of individuals.
• Computer literacy with ability to use email, internet, Word, electronic records, and literature searching.

Qualifications

Essential

• Education to A/level degree standard with GCSE in maths and literacy
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Valid UK driving licence and regular use of a car.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS and PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Essential

• Requirement to travel independently throughout the Service Area.
• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring checks on appointment and at periodic intervals.

Personal qualities and circumstances

Essential

• Ability to form professional relationships with volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Motivated and enthusiastic.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to respond to changing situations.
• Ability to use own initiative when required.
• Approachable and adaptable.

Experience

Essential

• Supporting volunteers to undertake a wide range of roles.
• Experience working within the voluntary community and/or charity sector.
• Experience of coordinating, managing or supervising a team of volunteers, to deliver a range of service delivery tasks.

Desirable

• Community working experience.