Reference Number: V561
Job Title: Volunteer Centre Officer
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne (Hybrid – office, home, community based)
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract until 31 July 2026
Hours: 14 hours p/w (potential to increase to 17.5 hrs, funding dependent)
Salary: £25,625 Full Time Equivalent (£10,250 for 14 hrs per week)
Job Family: Job Family 3
Line Manager: Project Manager: Newcastle
Start Date: ASAP
Interview Dates: To be confirmed
Volunteering Matters
Who we are
At Volunteering Matters, we believe people have the power to create change. Whether through volunteering by helping others and giving time, or through social action such as speaking up, campaigning, or leading change, everyone can make a difference. We bring people together to build stronger communities across England, Scotland and Wales, making sure everyone has the chance to get involved and create real change.
What we do
We help people of all ages and backgrounds get involved in volunteering and social action. We focus on making sure that everyone, no matter their situation, has the chance to take part. We work with local people.
How we do this
We support people to share their time and skills to help others and tackle big challenges in their communities.
- We remove barriers to volunteering and social action, making it easier for people who don’t always get the chance to take part.
- We listen to and amplify voices that aren’t always heard, helping volunteers and communities influence change.
- We help volunteers beyond their first experience, offering training, support, and pathways to new opportunities.
- We connect businesses with communities, creating meaningful employee volunteering projects.
- We show the impact of volunteering and social action, proving how it changes lives for the better.
- It’s a brilliant time to join us. We’re evolving, growing our impact, and shaping a future where everyone can take part and feel they belong.
Role Purpose
We have been operating Volunteer Centre Newcastle (VCN) since 2005. The Volunteer Centre provides a wide range of support, around all things volunteering, to over 1200 charities, organisations, and groups locally. We also support 2500+ members of the public each year, who are interested in volunteering and need some support to get started.
As our Volunteer Centre Officer, you will play an important role in promoting and supporting volunteering across Newcastle. You will help more people get involved in volunteering and make sure that volunteering is valued and recognised across the city.
We are looking for someone who understands “good practice” around volunteering, can work flexibly, and who shows a strong commitment to our organisations values.
Working alongside the Volunteer Centre Manager, you will:
- Support charities, organisations and groups in that involve volunteers
This includes giving advice on how to manage volunteers, helping them create and promote volunteer roles, supporting them to take on more volunteers, offering guidance on policies and processes, delivering training, taking part in volunteer network forums, and helping solve problems when needed.
Support people who want to volunteer, helping them take their next steps
You will talk with members of the public to understand their interests, goals, and any support needs. You will match them with suitable volunteering opportunities. You will offer information, advice, and guidance to help them get involved in volunteering across Newcastle through one-to-one appointments and in person events.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide effective support running a busy Volunteer Centre, working closely with various other stakeholders such as colleagues, volunteers, partners, Newcastle City Council and the public
- Supporting the Project Manager to manage a group of internal volunteers, ensuring they are valued and supported
- Supporting the city’s volunteering database which is hosted on VCN website, ensuring opportunities are kept up to date, and helping individuals to find and apply for a suitable role
- Provide a wide range of support to organisations or groups who involve volunteers – providing advice on guidance on volunteering policies and practices, helping to identify and develop new volunteering roles, advertising roles, and more
- Supporting the Project Manager to deliver organisational training, forums and networks
- Developing, designing, and publishing marketing and promotional materials related to Volunteer Centre Newcastle and distributing these in various locations across the city
- Provide effective support to ensure we have an appropriate, up to date and engaging website and social media channels.
- Being a champion of volunteering, taking part in events, talks, or engaging with traditional media sources to promote volunteering, the benefits to individuals and organisations
- Help to ensure the Volunteer Centre is delivered in line with Volunteering Matters organisational policies, including risk management, quality assurance and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Administrative tasks including the use of Office 365 and internal databases and files.
- Attending meetings and forums with other partners and Volunteer Centers locally, reporting back on our successes and challenges
- Ensuring monitoring, impact and evaluation information and data is collected and recorded, and that Volunteer Centre Newcastle meets its agreed targets, reporting format and schedule.
Skills Required
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of “best practice” in all areas of Volunteer Management
- Excellent people skills, able to build professional, long-term relationships with various stakeholders, to influence and motivate others
- Excellent organisational skills including strong attention to detail, the ability to manage a busy workload and prioritise effectively
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills including being able to have strategic conversations with external partners one minute, and talk to an anxious volunteer the next
- Excellent IT skills including the use of Office 365, Microsoft Teams and other software packages
- A creative approach to problem solving, and ability to work independently and use own initiative
- Good skills around creating content for websites, social media, and promotional materials
Essential experience required
Excellent experience in all areas of Volunteer Management
- Experience working with, or supporting, volunteers
- Excellent working with as part of a team in a busy environment, with a proven ability to communicate effectively
- Experience of achieving high targets, managing a busy workload, working independently, using own initiative, and working to strict deadlines
- Desirable skills / experience
- Full UK Driving License and access to own car
- Experience of delivering training, or networking forums
- Qualifications
- We are looking for a candidate with relevant knowledge, skills and experience, as well as commitment to our organisational values, rather than any specific qualifications.
- Essential Requirements for all staff
- Must adhere to the organisation’s Code of Conduct and uphold its values at all times.
- Proficient in Microsoft 365, particularly Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel, with the ability to manage email communications and collaborate digitally.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write clearly and professionally in English.
- Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, managing time and priorities in a busy environment.
- For remote roles, candidates must be self-starters who can work with minimal supervision, stay organised, and remain motivated to meet deadlines and deliver quality outcomes.
- Attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving and information sharing.
- Adhere to all health and safety policies and procedures, and promptly report any hazards, near misses, or incidents in line with organisational guidelines
- Our Values & Way of Working
In all that we do we are guided by our values: Empowering, Inclusive, Compassionate, Positive & Straightforward.
We offer flexible working by default. Our staff have significant flexibility when it comes to place of work, working days/hours, and are empowered with the responsibility of managing their own diary.
Part of your working week must be based in local Newcastle communities, meeting charities, organisations, groups, volunteers, colleagues and other stakeholders. For the remainder of the time, you can work from home (must be local) or from our Newcastle office premises (NE1 5JE). When home based, internet access to enable remote working is essential. IT equipment will be supplied.
Diversity & Inclusion
Volunteering Matters welcomes all applicants and are keen to ensure our team reflects the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We encourage applications from disabled, LGBT and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, along with candidates with any protected characteristics and from disadvantaged groups.
Disability Confident & Reasonable Adjustments
We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role. Please provide evidence in your application, which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required in the Job Description under skill and experience. To be considered for a guaranteed interview or to discuss any reasonable adjustments during the process, please state this in your cover letter
Benefits
Our employee benefits reflect our culture which is built on an approach of full flexibility with accountability, and designed to let you make your most positive contribution; we offer:
- Flexible Working by Default (re hours & place of work)
- Unlimited Annual Leave
- Employee Pension scheme
- Life Assurance
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Season Ticket Loan
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced sick and family leave.
- Lifestyle Discount Scheme
We are also open to discussing job share applications.
GDPR Statement
If you apply for a role with us, we will retain your contact details including your name, address, email address and phone number to help us manage your application for up to six months. We will not use your personal data for any other purpose or share it with any third party. You can contact us at any point to update your personal information or ask us to delete it from our records.
Policy on AI-Generated Applications
Applications are accepted on trust, and we expect all submissions to reflect the applicant’s own words, experiences, and motivations. While tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) may support the application process, applications should not be generated wholly by AI.
To Apply
Please send an updated, complete CV and cover letter via the Charity Job Apply button above. In your application clearly state which role you are applying for. In the cover letter please demonstrate how you would fulfil the role requirements, what previous relevant achievements you have (both in life and at work), what skills & experience you can offer, and what you believe you can contribute to Volunteering Matters.
We welcome applications from everyone, but please note that if we receive an extremely large number of responses, we may close this advert early to fully consider applications. We encourage you to apply promptly so you don’t miss the opportunity to join our community.
Right to Work in the UK
Please note that while we hold a license to sponsor employees on a skilled worker visa, the number of applications we can make each year is very limited. Unfortunately, this role does not meet the criteria for sponsorship, therefore, you must already have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.
If you have any questions about current vacancies, the recruitment process, or need support, our team is here to help. You can contact us directly by emailing HRPay@volunteeringmatters.org.uk and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
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