Job Description
Head of Volunteer Led Services
Pay scale:
54 - 56
Job Purpose
To extend Sense’s reach to deafblind people and families through increased
voluntary action, by
- Delivering high quality, large scale volunteer led services that meets
or exceed the expectations of people who are deafblind, have
sensory impairments and complex needs, families, Sense and
external bodies;
- Ensuring sustainable growth of high quality volunteer led service
provision which will extend our reach to individuals and their families
and generate increased income streams for Sense;
- Acting as strategic lead on volunteering across Sense;
- Managing a national team that is responsible for growth and delivery
of high quality and innovative volunteer led service provision in
Sense. This includes active participation in horizon scanning and
strategic planning, team management, cross organisation influencing,
engagement with other networks and organisations.
Job title
Responsible to
Responsible for
Key relationships
Contract
Hours
Location
Head of Volunteer Led Services
Deputy CEO
Operations Manager, Development Manager, Holidays &
Volunteering Consultant
Quality Team, Business Development Team, Operational
services, including Community Services, Children’s
Specialist Services, Communications Team, HR including
Learning & Development
Permanent
Full time. You will be expected to work flexibly around
duties, including evenings and weekends
London
1.
Description of role
1.1
The Head of Volunteer Led Services is responsible for:

Ensuring Sense provides ongoing opportunities for social support for
individuals through the development and operation of a programme of
national holidays that is varied and meets the interests of deafblind people
and their families.

Delivering a range of other volunteer led services and activities, including
Leisure Clubs at nationally led events.

Identifying income generation opportunities, and, in conjunction with
business development, fundraising or other colleagues, supporting the
creation of new income streams to support the work areas on which the
post holder is leading.
2.
Specific Responsibilities
2.1
Holidays, short breaks and other directly managed services
2.1.1 Manage a national portfolio of volunteer led services. Includes overseeing
the development and operation of volunteer led, innovative and varied
holidays & short breaks that are high quality, and meet or exceed the
expectations of individuals, families, Sense and external bodies;
2.1.2 To be directly responsible for any other nationally led services and
activities in which volunteers provide substantial levels of care and
support. This would include Leisure Clubs at national events and weekend
activities for national networks such as the Siblings Network.
2.1.3 To have overall responsibility for the recruitment, training and support of
volunteers and sessional staff involved in those services.
2.1.4 To ensure Sense holidays and other services that the post holder is
directly responsible for are conducted in a safe manner, in accordance
with Sense policies and procedures,
2.1.5 To review and develop relevant guidelines and policies which support and
enhance Sense holidays, short breaks and other volunteer led services.
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2.2
Growth of volunteer led services
2.2.1 Expand the national portfolio of volunteer led services
2.2.2 Increase the level of service provision by creating new volunteer-led
service models that meet gaps in the market and generate increased
income for Sense
2.2.3 Work in conjunction with fundraising and the business development team
to pilot and scale up new approaches to working with volunteers, to
increase the amount of volunteer led services and the contribution it
makes to the financial sustainability of Sense.
2.2.4 With people and their families, co-create volunteer-driven models of
service that meet their needs and involve more individuals and their
families in supporting themselves and each other
2.3
Strategic Lead on Volunteering
2.3.1 To improve the quality and consistency of support offered to volunteers by
further developing the national operational framework for volunteer work,
including quality standards and quality assurance.
2.3.2 To work with colleagues across all parts of Sense to expand and improve
volunteer engagement, including developing appropriate KPIs to track
progress and report against them as required.
2.3.3 To support volunteer managers within Sense by equipping staff with the
tools and resources to support volunteers and to implement the national
framework in their team/ services/ project
2.3.4 To develop a monitoring systems to collect information and feedback on
volunteers
2.3.5 To increase the number of volunteers directly supporting individuals in our
services.
2.3.6 To enhance opportunities within Sense for individuals develop skills
through volunteering.
2.3.7 To network externally as Sense’s volunteering lead, promoting Sense’s
work in this area, learning from others and contributing to the development
of best practice across the sector.
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3.
General Management
3.1.1 To pro-actively support the strategic, corporate and operational aspects of
Sense’s work.
3.1.2 To manage a team of permanent paid staff according to Sense policies
and procedures.
3.1.3 To ensure holidays and other services for which the postholder is
responsible for are financially robust and in line with budgets, identifying
and maximising income streams to support any new services developed. .
3.1.4 To ensure appropriate out of office hours support to Sense holidays and
other directly managed services and to be one of the people providing this
support.
3.1.5 To meet any current or future regulatory requirements.
3.1.6 To operate any relevant elements of the Sense Quality Framework.
4.
Other Duties
4.1.1 To comply with Sense policies and procedures regarding the operation of
services, and the employment of staff, actively promoting the principles of
equal opportunities and working in a manner that maintains a safe, healthy
and supportive environment and the people we support.
4.1.2 To carry out any other duties commensurate with this role.
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Person Specification
Head of Volunteer Led Services
Education and Training
Essential Criteria
Desirable Criteria
Substantial up to date knowledge of the
volunteering sector.
Able to evidence strong learning and
Recognised management qualification,
understanding of a range of community at or above NVQ 4 level or its
or voluntary services by a relevant
equivalent
formal qualification or other
comparable related study.
Evidence of continuing development of Qualifications related to deafblindness
relevant knowledge and skills in social
such as B.S.L., Deafblind Support
care or the voluntary sector.
Worker, or a relevant professional
qualification such as an MSI
qualification or the Deafblind Diploma.
Able to demonstrate an in-depth
understanding of the current and
developing legislation in England and
Wales.
Achievements and Experience
Essential Criteria
Desirable Criteria
Able to demonstrate a significant
history of achievement at a
management level in delivering large
scale volunteer led services in the
health, social care or voluntary sector.
Experience of managing and
supporting large numbers of volunteers
and sessional staff
Experience of writing and securing
contracts with statutory bodies.
Proven experience of effective
engagement with people with multiple
complex needs, including sensory
impairments, physical and cognitive
impairments, complex medical needs,
life limiting and life-threatening
conditions, autism and related
communication difficulties and
challenging behaviour
5
Experience of leading and managing
complex projects and activities.
Experience of developing collaborative
working relationships between internal
and external stakeholders.
Able to demonstrate a record of
ensuring processes are in place that
safeguard vulnerable people and
deliver excellent quality standards.
Significant evidence of building
relationships with a wide range of
organisations and working in
partnership.
Significant experience of managing
diverse staff teams, delegation,
empowerment and using resources
effectively.
A track record of sound financial
management.
Demonstrable experience of
developing and delivering training
Skills & Abilities
Essential Criteria
Desirable Criteria
A passionate commitment to deafblind
people and Sense’s vision and values;
a willingness to learn communication
skills and how to make activities,
opportunities and work accessible for
deafblind people.
A demonstrable commitment to
delivering positive change in the lives
of deafblind people and their families
Excellent communication skills.
Skilled in influencing, negotiating
Demonstrable ability to interrogate and
and building sustainable working
interpret financial and management
relationships both internal and external information.
to Sense.
March 2016
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