Job profile: volunteer coordinator

Overview

Many charities and other non-profit organisations rely on volunteers to carry out some or all of their work.

Full Description

Responsibilities

Many charities and other non-profit organisations rely on volunteers to carry out some or all of their work. Depending on the organisation, volunteers can get involved in a wide range of activities, including:

  • fundraising
  • working on conservation, environmental or community projects, including restoration and archaeological projects
  • working in a gift shop
  • caring for animals
  • showing visitors around historic houses, museums or heritage sites
  • general administrative work.

A lot of planning is required to make sure that all volunteers are in the right place at the right time, and understand how to carry out their roles effectively and safely. This is often the responsibility of the volunteer manager (also known as a volunteer co-coordinator or leader). Volunteer managers co-ordinate the work of volunteers.

Skills associated with this job

Work activities

  • recruiting new volunteers - this can involve publicising their organisation's work by giving talks and presentations to groups of people, or organising campaigns in the press, television or radio
  • interviewing potential volunteers to make sure they understand what volunteering involves, and checking that they have the right skills and personal qualities
  • placing volunteers in roles that will make the best use of their interests, skills and abilities
  • arranging training and development for volunteers or perhaps delivering the training themselves
  • planning the work of volunteers and making sure that enough volunteers are available on a particular day, or for a particular project
  • ensuring the organisation follows good practice and avoids legal problems
  • organising events
  • supervising the work of volunteers
  • writing letters, making phone calls and keeping accounts
  • making sure budget and service targets are met
  • writing reports
  • writing or revising volunteer policies and procedures
  • in some jobs, supervising paid staff
  • liaising with representatives of other organisations

Knowledge

  • knowledge of health and safety issues that relate to volunteers
  • understanding of other people's needs and motivations
  • knowledge of legal issues relating to volunteers

Skills

  • excellent organisational skills
  • strong written and spoken communication skills
  • tact, patience and motivational skills - volunteers give up their free time to help
  • to be comfortable talking to both large groups of people and individuals
  • strong team-working skills
  • able to work on their own

Behaviours and personal qualities

  • committed to the work of their organisation
  • a confident, outgoing personality
  • to be flexible and adaptable
  • enjoy working with people with a wide range of ages, abilities and backgrounds.
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