JOB DESCRIPTION
Volunteer Development Officer
Job Title:
Volunteer Development Officer
Function:
To deliver the Volunteering Strategy and lead and develop this
area of work for the Trust
Responsible to:
Responsible for:
Head of People Engagement
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Kent Wildlife Trust
Kent Wildlife Trust is one of the largest of the 47 Wildlife Trusts, which together make up the
Wildlife Trusts Partnership. We are supported and governed by our 30,000 members, and
have the simple aim of protecting Kent’s wildlife for the future. To this end, we own or manage
some 65 nature reserves covering over 8,100 acres; we campaign and lobby politicians,
decision makers and landowners to ensure site protection and good habitat management; and
we run a full programme of education work with schools, colleges and adult groups. The Trust
also has five Visitor Centres.
The Trust operates from its headquarters at Tyland Barn, just north of Maidstone. The 85
professional and support staff work within five sections of Reserves, Conservation, Policy &
Evidence, People Engagement, Marketing and Membership, Finance and Support Services.
Visit our website to see the range of our activities – www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk.
Job Purpose
This post draws together a number of tasks that are crucial to the strategic development,
management and administration of the volunteer programme at Kent Wildlife Trust. The post
holder will work closely with the Head of People Engagement and with staff across the
organisation in delivering an effective volunteering programme and the volunteering strategy.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
This is a post which will use to the full a broad mixture of skills built on wide, hands-on
experience. The qualities of the individual appointed to the post will play a large part in
determining the nature of the job.
The post holder will develop a coherent volunteering programme across Kent Wildlife Trust,
building the infrastructure and developing a compelling long term vision for our
engagement with volunteers.
The role of the Volunteer Development Officer will be to identify and demonstrate how
local people can be involved in both existing and new volunteering opportunities.
The post will have a key role in supporting staff across all sections of the Trust, leading the
development of new volunteering engagement programmes and supporting an existing
programme of volunteer recruitment, development and support. There is an existing pool
of approx. 1000 registered volunteers.
Based at our HQ at Tyland Barn, but working across the county, you will maximise support
for all our staff who wish to recruit volunteers, delivering our Volunteering Strategy and
ensuring buy-in from the staff in its delivery. You will also be an approachable source of
support for all volunteers increasing the success and enjoyment of their time volunteering
at Kent Wildlife Trust.
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Principal Duties
1)
Provide a strategic lead for volunteering across Kent Wildlife Trust.
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Implement the existing strategic plan and revise and update where and when
appropriate.
To ensure that the activities carried out by volunteers enhance our service delivery
and contribute to our Strategic Plan.
Develop the capacity of the Trust to benefit from volunteer effort across all
operational areas.
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2)
To take a leadership role in the recruitment, development and co-ordination of
volunteers working across Kent Wildlife Trust.
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Liaise with and assist the Heads of Sections and other staff with the recruitment, management
and training of volunteers for all Trust activities.
Support all staff in working with volunteers across all areas of the Trust’s operations.
Develop volunteer recruitment procedures and methods of engaging new volunteers.
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Increase the level of volunteer activity by responding to volunteering enquiries and proactively
maintaining contact with volunteers.
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Identify (and deliver where appropriate) training and development opportunities for volunteers,
including supporting HR in the delivery of volunteer management training.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
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Liaise with HR to ensure that volunteer recruitment & selection policies and protocols are
in line with up to date legislation.
3)
Design and implement a volunteer management and administration system.
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Maintain and develop a volunteer database to support good recruitment, monitoring,
training and communication with all volunteers.
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Lead on the development of new online methods of managing, communicating and
developing the volunteer network, enhancing efficiencies, engagement and
communication.
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Develop and operate systems to engage volunteers, ensuring that the necessary data is
collected and permissions sought.
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Manage the volunteer photo resource ensuring that appropriate permissions are sought.
4) Improve and maintain systems of communication.
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Develop two-way communication mechanisms between all parts of the Trust (volunteers
and staff) to promote and retain positive working relationships.
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Produce regular newsletters, e-newsletters and information mailings to volunteers.
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Utilise digital and social media to communicate effectively with volunteers.
5) Evaluate the volunteer programme, its impact on individuals, the Trust and on
wider communities and the Kent economy.
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Use the database to capture a true picture of volunteer effort, enabling the Trust to
report on volunteer effort and outcomes. Utilise the database as a key means for
undertaking analysis of our volunteer impact.
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Collect data relating to improvements in health and wellbeing, skills development,
employability, quality of experience and other appropriate social outcomes.
6) Oversee the relationship between the Trust and its various local groups
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Attend and facilitate the meeting of the local groups representatives normally held
three times a year.
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Act as primary Trust contact for the local groups
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Ensure that local groups are aware of and adhere to Trust protocol and policies,
including Health & Safety
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Ensure that all local group members are registered as Kent Wildlife Trust volunteers
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Support local groups by representing their interests within Trust meetings where
appropriate
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JOB DESCRIPTION
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Support the provision of training for local group members where appropriate.
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Support local groups in the effective marketing of their events.
7) Adhere to Trust policy and protocol
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In consultation with the Head of People Engagement, ensure that the Trust’s policies
and objectives are implemented through the management of volunteers.
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Promote best practice in documenting mutual responsibilities and expectations between
the Trust and the volunteer.
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Liaise with HR to ensure that volunteers are appropriately DBS checked where relevant
and ensure DBS policies and protocols are in line with up to date legislation.
8) To liaise with both internal and external organisations involved in volunteer
activities developing partnership opportunities and benefiting from models of
best practice.
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Liaise with external organisations, particularly Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts
(RSWT), and others locally to ensure that the Trust develops best volunteering
practice.
Liaise with the Income Generation Officer and the corporate membership offer to
provide corporate volunteering (and other group) opportunities across the Trust.
Maintain awareness of legislation and best practice relating to volunteering and
disseminate information across the Trust.
9) Promote volunteering opportunities and outcomes relating to volunteering.
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Raise the profile of volunteering opportunities through appropriate marketing material, local
media, shows, displays, digital and social media (in liaison with Digital Media Officer) and
working in partnership with existing community projects.
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Liaise with other Trust staff to produce and distribute relevant volunteer literature such as
handbooks, leaflets and role descriptions.
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Arrange events that profile the importance of volunteering and which allow us to to
thank and celebrate volunteers.
10) Promote inclusivity and diversity
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Develop a programme of volunteering opportunities that are accessible and inclusive,
ensuring appropriate safeguarding, access and support.
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Effectively monitor and evaluate diversity and equality of opportunity within the Trust
volunteering programme.
11) Undertake effective monitoring and management of the volunteering budget.
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Support the Head of People Engagement to prepare the annual budget.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
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Regularly monitor income and expenditure relating to the volunteering budget,
processing invoices for payment by the finance team.
12) Identify new sources of income and generate new funds to support the
development of the volunteer programme across the Trust.
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The post holder must be aware of the continuing need for new sources of finance to
support the work of the Trust and whenever required to work with the fundraising
team to generate income.
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Develop visions of fundable projects to support volunteering itself with the benefits it
offers
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Work with other colleagues to integrate volunteering into proposals for fundable
projects.
13) In liaison with HR, support the Volunteer Trainee programme and Volunteer work
experience/placements.
14) Under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all staff have a legal
responsibility to:
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take all reasonable care of their health and safety while at work;
ensure as far as reasonably practicable the safety of other persons, whether other
employees, contractors or members of the public, who may be adversely affected by their
own actions; and
co-operate with the Trust to enable it to discharge its obligations satisfactorily.
15) Share with all staff a common duty to recruit members and volunteers, raise funds
and enhance the good reputation of KWT wherever the opportunity arises.
16) Have due regard to health & safety issues, including ensuring that all works by
volunteers conform to Health & Safety best practice (i.e. as a minimum are in
accordance with the Health & Safety at work act 1974).
17) Any other duties as reasonably required by the Chief Executive.
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Skills, Qualifications & Experience
The post holder will have:
Experience of developing or implementing a
strategic plan
Experience of working in the community or
voluntary sector, with responsibility for
supporting and developing volunteer action
Understanding of evaluation methodologies.
Experience of financial management and
adhering to budgets.
Awareness of, and commitment to, tackling the
Essential
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Desirable
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barriers that may exist to volunteering and their
impact on diversity
Experience of recruiting volunteers
Face to face management of volunteers
Awareness of a range of mechanisms for
delivering training and development activities
Experience of training needs analysis
Knowledge of Health & safety relating to
voluntary work
Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven
record of developing community partnerships
Excellent communication skills with strong
emotional intelligence
Excellent administrative and report writing skills
with experience of Word, Excel, email internet
and database packages
Project management experience
A sympathy with the objectives of Kent Wildlife
Trust and respect for the natural environment.
Experience of planning and running events
Demonstrable ability to work as part of a close,
multi-disciplinary team
Good negotiating skills
An ability to think flexibly, creatively and be
solution-focussed in approach.
Experience of public speaking with good
presentational skills
A clean, current driving licence
Experience of work with the media particularly
press releases
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Other Considerations
1. The post is advertised as a full time post but flexible, part-time arrangements will be
considered providing that they apply throughout the year.
2. The post is offered on a continuing contract.
3. Appointment will be subject to a six month probationary period.
4. No person shall be treated less favourably than another on the grounds of sex, sexual
orientation, marital status, race, ethnic or national origin, religion, colour, age or
disability.
5. Appointment is conditional upon receipt of satisfactory references.
6. The Trust operates a no smoking policy.
7. Kent Wildlife Trust is an equal opportunities employer and applicants for staff vacancies
shall be short-listed for interview and appointed purely on the grounds of their suitability
for the post as laid out in the advertised job description.
8. All staff share a common duty to recruit members and volunteers and enhance the
good reputation of the Trust whenever the opportunity arises
9. KWT aims actively to enhance, wherever possible, the opportunities for people with
disabilities to experience, understand and enjoy the natural environment. All staff
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share the responsibility in achieving this. Further information is available from the Head
of People Engagement.
10. Under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all staff have a legal
responsibility to:
a.
take all reasonable care of their health and safety while at work;
b.
ensure as far as reasonably practicable the safety of other persons,
whether other employees or members of the public, who may be
adversely affected by their own actions
c.
co-operate with the Trust to enable it to discharge its obligations
satisfactorily
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Employment Package
All posts within the Trust operate within pay bands. The relevant band for the Volunteer
Development Officer post is Points 11 to 18 on the Trust salary scale currently £22,732 to
£28,376 with annual increments. Part time workers are paid on a pro rata basis.
The point on the scale at which applicants start will depend on skills and experience.
Finances permitting, these bands are updated once a year to allow for the rate of inflation.
Incremental rises also happen annually depending on available finances and performance.
Normal working hours are a 37.5 hour week, which will involve some evening and
weekend working. Some flexibility will be possible within the demands of the post.
Overtime is not paid, but time may be taken off in lieu. The KWT holiday allowance for full
time workers is 23 days a year plus 8 days’ statutory holidays.
After 3 months in post, eligible staff will be automatically enrolled into a workplace pension
scheme. Trust will contribute 9% of gross salary provided the employee contributes a
minimum of 4%.
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Procedure for Applicants
Applications
Applicants should read the Guidance Notes carefully before completing the application
form. Please DO NOT send your CV.
If you wish to discuss this post, please telephone Stevie Rice on 01622 662012.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 23rd March 2016
Interviews
Interviews will be held on Monday 4th April 2016 and will include a short presentation.
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