Contract Hr administrator jobs

Volunteer Coordinator

Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire (minimum 3 days in office per week)

Salary: £29,000 - £32,000 per annum

Vacancy Type: 12 month contract, Full time 37.5 hours per week 

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.  We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small, but ambitious charity that is a world leader in its specialist, innovative field.

Main Purpose & Scope of the Role:

The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for the coordination, delivery and ongoing support of volunteer activity across the charity, ensuring volunteers have a positive, meaningful and well‑supported experience.

This role combines hands‑on volunteer coordination with people engagement activity, supporting engagement, communication and safeguarding processes across both volunteers and staff. The postholder works closely with colleagues across the organisation to ensure volunteer involvement is well‑planned, compliant and aligned with operational needs.

What You’ll Do:

You will coordinate the end to end volunteer journey, from recruitment and onboarding through to ongoing support, engagement and departure. You will act as a key point of contact for volunteers, support teams to work effectively with volunteers, and ensure accurate records, communication and safeguarding processes are maintained.

Reports to: People Engagement Manager 

About the Role

This is an operational, people‑focused role suited to someone who enjoys building relationships, organising activity and supporting others. You will work closely with staff, volunteers and external partners, ensuring volunteering activity runs smoothly and consistently across the charity.

The role requires excellent organisation, strong communication skills and confidence.

Responsibilities of the Role

Volunteer Recruitment & Engagement

• Coordinate volunteer recruitment activity to meet charity needs
• Support the delivery of volunteer marketing campaigns across social media, recruitment platforms and community networks
• Build and maintain relationships with community groups, schools, businesses and partner organisations
• Represent the charity at volunteer recruitment events and community activities
• Support interviews and suitability assessments for prospective volunteers
• Ensure references and checks are completed in line with policy

Volunteer Onboarding, Training & Support

• Coordinate induction processes for new volunteers
• Ensure volunteers receive appropriate role specific training, working with internal teams
• Maintain regular communication with volunteers to support engagement and retention
• Act as a key point of contact for volunteer queries or concerns
• Support volunteers leaving the organisation and gather feedback

Volunteer Engagement & Communication

• Support clear and consistent communication with volunteers across the charity
• Maintain and update volunteer communications via Assemble and other platforms
• Support the Volunteer Forum and other engagement initiatives
• Develop and maintain guidance and resources for staff working with volunteers

Compliance & Administration

• Ensure volunteer activity complies with safeguarding, GDPR, health & safety and volunteer management standards
• Maintain accurate and up to date volunteer records on Assemble
• Monitor volunteer data and prepare basic reports on recruitment, engagement and retention
• Escalate safeguarding or compliance concerns to the appropriate manager

Fundraising & Cross Departmental Support

• Coordinate volunteer involvement in fundraising events and campaigns
• Work closely with fundraising, operations and HR colleagues to ensure volunteer support is effective and well planned
• Promote good practice in volunteering across teams

Person Specification

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Experience in volunteer coordination, people engagement or a related role
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail
• Confident communicator with the ability to build positive relationships quickly
• Experience working with databases or volunteer management systems
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams
• Understanding of safeguarding and confidentiality principles
• Good IT skills including Microsoft 365

Desirable

• Experience working in the charity sector
• Knowledge of volunteer management systems (e.g. Assemble)
• Experience supporting training or group facilitation
• Interest in animal welfare, assistance dogs or medical research

Other Requirements

• Willingness to travel occasionally to attend recruitment events or meetings

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion

We are a welcoming, diverse and inclusive charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Medical Detection Dogs, please do not hesitate to apply.

This is an exciting opportunity to take on a strategic, outward-facing role where you will build partnerships, develop new opportunities to expand our reach and impact.​​

�� What you’ll be doing

• Leading the expansion of F4YP services into new geographical areas

• Building strong relationships with schools, local authorities, and partners

• Creating referral pathways to increase access for children and families

• Identifying opportunities and supporting funding bids and proposals

• Strengthening local systems to better support young people’s wellbeing

• Raising the profile of F4YP across new communities and networks

�� What we’re looking for

• Experience in partnership building, outreach, or service development

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills

• Experience contributing to funding applications or commissioned work

• Ability to think strategically while delivering results

• A proactive, confident individual who thrives in a growing environment​

�� Bedford / Hybrid (Beds, Herts, Cambs) | ⏰ Full-time | �� 3-year fixed term | Working pattern: 9-day fortnight (one day off every two weeks

Are you a passionate leader who wants to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people?​

We are looking for a Youth Service Lead to oversee and shape the delivery of our programmes across Bedfordshire. This is a key leadership role where you will ensure our services are safe, engaging, and impactful for the young people and families we support.​

At F4YP, we support over 500 children and young people across 50+ schools, providing safe spaces, enrichment opportunities, and vital pastoral support. As Services Lead, you’ll play a central role in making this happen every day.​

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading and managing high-quality delivery across face-to-face services

• Supporting and developing a team of delivery staff and volunteers

• Ensuring excellent safeguarding, pastoral care, and behaviour support

• Overseeing planning, staffing, and day-to-day operations across multiple sites

• Monitoring impact, quality, and outcomes to continuously improve delivery

• Working closely with schools and partners to support young people effectively​

What we’re looking for:

• Experience leading programmes or services for children and young people

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding and pastoral support (SEMH/SEND desirable)

• Proven experience managing and supporting staff

• A hands-on, organised leader who can balance people, operations, and quality

• Someone who is passionate about helping young people feel safe, supported, and confident​​

Bedford/Bedfordshire | Full-time (37.5 hrs) | 3-year fixed term​​​​​​​​ | Working pattern: 9-day fortnight (one day off every two weeks), with full 5-day weeks required during holiday delivery periods