Volunteer Development Lead

Job content

We’re on a mission to help change lives and build healthy, resilient communities in Somerset.

We do this by supporting and championing voluntary and community organisations and providing a range of services, training and advice. We also believe that everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and so we work with local partners to provide volunteering opportunities for all.

Pivotal to our success in this mission is a Volunteering Development Lead who will innovate and inspire change in the diversity, quality and quantity of volunteering opportunities and the volunteer experience across Somerset – challenging systemic barriers and encouraging a culture where social action in Somerset can flourish.

The Volunteering Development Lead will also have a key leadership role within the organisation and will have strategic responsibility for the Spark Somerset volunteering offer.

Will you help us create a Somerset where anyone can make great things happen for their communities?

Key responsibilities

Champion diversity and opportunity for volunteering and social action in Somerset working with volunteer-involving VCSE and public sector groups, offering guidance, inspiration and support to trial new ways of working, through networking, collaboration and shared learning.

Lead the strategic development of Somerset’s volunteering ‘offer’ to communities, engaging with networks, communities and decision makers in order that volunteering can flourish in Somerset.

Provide strategic leadership for the ongoing development of the Spark Somerset Volunteer Service – notable our digital platform Spark a Change - with a strong focus on continuous improvement and growth via customer insight / data / user needs.

Work with the Spark Somerset training and learning lead to ensure we understand and support the learning and development needs of volunteers and people coordinating the contribution made by volunteers.

Ensure Spark Somerset’s own culture and practice for the involvement of volunteers in our work provide assurance to the Board of Trustees and offers a high-quality volunteering experience to people who volunteer with Spark Somerset - with feedback and learning embedded in all we do.

Represent Spark Somerset at emergency planning partnerships and contribute to activity which supports communities to respond to crisis helping to build local resilience.

Ensure that guidance, advice and support provided by Spark (including web-based content) is grounded in good practice, and supports longer term ambitions for volunteering in Somerset.

Act as the Senior Responsible Officer for programmes or contracts undertaken by Spark Somerset, existing and future. These are likely to relate to volunteering, but may include other aspects of Spark Somerset’s activity.

Work closely with the Communications Lead and Partnerships and Engagement leads to engage and consult the VCSE sector on current issues and changes affecting volunteering and take part in national / regional and local networks to advocate and provide feedback.

Ensure stakeholders receive timely and accessible qualitative and quantitative data for reporting, impact measurement or other requirements.

Forge and maintain good partnership links with stakeholders, including local authority, public sector organisations, national bodies, such as NAVCA and NCVO, promoting the Spark Somerset offer and values.

Provide line management, supervision and support to people assigned to your role in line with Spark Somerset’s ways of working.

Undertake any other duties that may be reasonably required by the CEO and the Board of Trustees.

Take part in training relevant to the post.

Ensure that the values of Spark Somerset are always promoted.

Promote and adhere to all policies adopted by the Board of Trustees.

You will bring

Strong people, coaching and listening skills, and ability to get buy-in to change and ambition

Alignment in values and ability to frame a business case in the context of our charitable objectives

A high level of organisation and a passion for the benefits of digital services

Creativity and imagination

You should have

Experience of influencing, leading and developing diverse and high-quality volunteer involvement in services, groups, projects or systems

A strong track record of influencing people to change customs and practice

A sound understanding of the opportunities and innovations for volunteering in the

Somerset eco-system

An unshakable commitment to increasing the diversity, quality and quantity of

volunteering in Somerset

We will provide

Flexibility and remote working options

Open and friendly team environment

Free Employee Assistance Programme

Diversity and inclusivity

A diverse voice is a more powerful voice. Diversity in our people brings new viewpoints and this drives debate and creativity, which is key to successful campaigning and an ability to engage new audiences. As such, we encourage applications from people who belong to groups which are often marginalised in society.

To apply

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter explaining how your skills and experience meet the requirements.