Director of Volunteering

DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEERING

Director of Volunteering at Mercy Ships UK, providing strategic leadership to recruit, engage and mobilise volunteers for its two hospital ships.

Mercy Ships is an inspiring Christian charity delivering free, life-changing surgery to people in Africa with limited access to healthcare. Through its two hospital ships, it brings hope, healing and specialist training to local healthcare professionals. Since 1978, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 55 countries, performing over 122,000 surgical procedures and training more than 55,500 healthcare workers. 

Mercy Ships UK is now embarking on an ambitious growth journey, aiming to double volunteer placements over the next five years. We are looking for an exceptional leader to join Mercy Ships UK as Director of Volunteering. This is a brand-new role created at an exciting time in the charity's growth.

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, you will lead the development of an ambitious long-term volunteering and workforce strategy, inspiring and mobilising medical, maritime and other specialist volunteers to serve on board Mercy Ships' current and future hospital ships. Through your leadership, thousands more volunteers will be equipped to bring hope, healing and life-changing care to communities across Africa.

In this role, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Develop and deliver a multi-year volunteering strategy that builds sustainable pipelines of medical, maritime and specialist volunteers
• Lead the full volunteer journey, from attraction and recruitment through to preparation, engagement, retention and alumni involvement
• Build strategic partnerships with NHS organisations, Royal Colleges, universities, churches, Christian networks and professional bodies
• Provide strategic advice to the Executive Director, Executive Leadership Team and Trustees on volunteering trends, workforce risks and growth opportunities
• Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing volunteering function, setting clear priorities, standards and measures of success
• Act as a senior ambassador for Mercy Ships UK, representing its Christian mission with credibility and influence across the sector

Why work for Mercy Ships UK?

• 25 days' annual leave plus UK bank holidays, increasing by one day for each completed year of service, to a maximum of 30 days
• Employer pension contribution of up to 7%
• Annual personal learning and development budget
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Location: 12 Meadway Court, Stevenage, SG1 2EF (hybrid working available)
• Free on-site parking
• A brand-new, pivotal leadership role at an exciting stage of growth

This role is eligible for an Enhanced DBS check. Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment, safeguarding and background checks.

For further details please have a look at the candidate pack.

For an informal chat to ask any questions, please contact Nick Thomas, Senior Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Please apply through the Charisma Charity Recruitment website with your CV and supporting statement.

Key dates

• Closing date: Monday 14th September 2026
• Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by close of play on: Wednesday 16th September 2026
• First interviews with Mercy Ships: W/C 28th September 2026
• Final interviews with Mercy Ships: W/C 5th October 2026

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion*, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

*In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Part 1, Schedule 9, it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a practising Christian.