Project Assistant - Volunteering

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We have embarked on our 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it.

We are now recruiting the team that will deliver Crisis at Christmas 2025. This unique project mobilises a huge volunteering effort to provide warmth, companionship and vital services in temporary centres across London to people facing homelessness.

Vacancies: We are hiring for three vacancies

Contract: Fixed Term Contract – 16 September 2025 to 30 January 2026

Hours: 35 hours per week (some rota’d working to cover weekends and bank holidays over Christmas period)

Location: Canning Town Warehouse, Unit 4 SEGRO Park, London E16 4ES (minimum 2 days per week) alongside homeworking

About the role

As Project Assistant in the Volunteering Team, you will play a proactive role in supporting the recruitment and management of Crisis at Christmas volunteers. This is a great entry-level opportunity to be part of a collaborative and supportive team making a real difference. Acting as the first point of contact for all volunteer enquiries, you will ensure an equitable and inclusive experience for every applicant by processing volunteer applications and confidential data with care and diligence, and by conducting essential safety checks to make sure our volunteers are suitable.

We’re looking for someone who brings bold ideas and a positive attitude, is comfortable working with people from all backgrounds, and wants to help create an impactful volunteering experience. When our project goes live, you’ll also play a key role in running our friendly volunteer helpline—helping people feel supported and ready to make a difference.

About you

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Experience of customer service and be comfortable answering high volumes of volunteer enquiries on the phone or via email in a professional and friendly manner
• Excellent spoken and written skills to communicate effectively and confidently with a wide range of audiences.
• Strong organisational skills with an ability to manage multiple priorities and work to tight deadlines.
• A positive and proactive mindset, coupled with a strong willingness to contribute and support the success of the project.

You may have experience in a busy customer service or call centre environment or experience in events or working on busy projects. You should have an interest in the charity or homelessness sector and a commitment to Crisis’ purpose and values.

Please see the full Job Pack linked below, for a full list of requirements for this role. We realise that long lists of criteria can be daunting, and you may not want to apply for a role unless you feel 100% qualified. However, if you feel you have relevant examples to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to apply.

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds.

Working at Crisis

Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness.

Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We’ll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.

As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including:

• A competitive salary. Please note our salaries are fixed to counter inequity and we do not negotiate at offer stage.
• Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy.
• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5%
• 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
• Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly
• And more! (Full list of benefits available on website)

Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career.

When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.

How do I apply?

Please click on the 'Apply for Job' button below. Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not ask for CVs, instead we ask you complete the work history section and answer the screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. At least two members of staff score all applications.

Closing date: Wednesday 30 July 2025 at 23:59

Interview process: The interview will consist of a competency-based interview + written task.

Interview date and location: Interviews will be held at our Canning Town Warehouse on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 August 2025

AI in Job Applications

We understand some candidates use AI tools when applying. Whilst we welcome the use of technology to support clear communication and structure, we want to learn more about you, so please ensure that your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experiences

Accessibility

We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email our Talent Acquisition team to discuss how we can help.

Registered Charity Numbers: E&W1082947, SC040094