Volunteer Manager

Volunteer Manager 

Recruitment and the Volunteer Cycle 
Lead on drafting volunteer role descriptions in collaboration with the recruitment
lead. 
Undertake advertising of volunteer opportunities across multiple platforms
ensuring best practice in relation to safer recruitment and equal opportunities
practice. 
Work with referral partners and community organisations where appropriate to
support participation. 
Be responsible for the onboarding of  volunteers including right to work checks,
induction scheduling, and induction reviews. 
Managers volunteer leavers and the change in relationship, ensure volunteers are
removed from any formal communication channels and receive an exit interview
to document their experience. 

Training, Learning and Development 
Ensure all volunteers are compliant with the essential training modules such as
Safeguarding, Health and Safety and GDPR and maintain records of the same.
Report on these as required. 
Lead on designing a progression pathway for volunteers who may wish to move
into other areas of learning, traineeships or apply for other opportunities. 
Work closely with growers and other staff to plan and coordinate volunteer
involvement and support staff to work confidently and positively with volunteers. 

Systems and Organisation 
Be responsible for maintaining the volunteer's personal information in the
BrightHR system and in compliance with GDPR rules.      
Lead on systematising the volunteer rotas whether regular volunteering or one
off activities. 
Tracking attendance and ensuring we know who is on site when. 

Volunteer Team Culture and Management 
Lead the day-to-day coordination of the volunteer programme across growing
areas, site care, and related activities 
Act as line manager for the volunteers, having regular opportunities for feedback
such as one to ones and communicate key messages from organisation leads that
are applicable to the volunteers. 
Lead on buddy / peer support approaches within the volunteer programme
ensuring equality of experience of the volunteers. 
Foster a positive, respectful, and inclusive culture on site where people feel a
sense of belonging 
Dedicate a portion of time to undertaking the tasks expected of volunteers
working hand on alongside volunteers and developing a deeper knowledge and
understanding of their day to day. 
Work closely with all site users to ensure volunteers are integrated into real site
activities, particularly the growers team. 

Monitoring and Evaluation Activities 
Gather feedback [quantitative and qualitative] from volunteers and support the
ongoing development of the volunteer programme 
Contribute to monitoring and reporting requirements linked to funded volunteer
activity 
Ensure information required for reporting is up to date and accurate in time for
reporting deadlines and that those deadlines are met. 
Support funding applications where appropriate. 

Compliance 
Ensure volunteer activities and management follow all organisational policies,
including safeguarding, health and safety and equality applicable to the volunteer. 
Maintain clear professional boundaries and escalate safeguarding concerns in line
with procedure 
Ensure that applicable internal policies and procedures are followed through in all
areas of work. 
Also treat with confidentiality any information that could be deemed as personal,
private, or sensitive and comply with both organisations GDPR and Safeguarding
requirements. 

Working with the Wider Team & Partnerships 
Help build and maintain relationships with community partners linked to
volunteering and learning opportunities 
Represent the volunteer programme internally and externally when required 
Represent the organisations externally when required 

Other 
To attend and participate in internal and external meetings as required. 
To attend relevant training to fulfil the requirements of the job. 
To undertake other duties which may from time to time be required and which
are appropriate to the responsibilities of the post. 

Person Specification 

Knowledge 
Interest in sustainable food growing and community-led work 
Knowledge of the full volunteer cycle including recruitment, onboarding,
supervision, development and exit processes 
Knowledge of safer recruitment principles and equal opportunities practice 
Understanding of safeguarding legislation and procedures, particularly when
working with vulnerable adults and/or young people    
Knowledge of GDPR and data protection requirements in relation to volunteer
records 

Skills 
Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage rotas, records, and multiple
volunteer streams simultaneously 
Ability to write clear engaging content for varied audiences and for different
purposes. 
Confident communicator with the ability to build and maintain positive
relationships across teams and with community partners 
Ability to support, motivate and line manage volunteers with understanding and
mutual respect. 
An overall good level of IT skills, and a  variety of online platforms. 
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately 
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to foster an inclusive, respectful, and
supportive team culture with a warm, inclusive, and supportive approach. 
Comfortable working outdoors in a practical role year-round 

Experience 
Experience of coordinating or managing volunteers or similar groups. 
Supporting people with additional needs and mental health conditions. 
Working in and understanding the needs of an on-site environment
Experience of recruitment and onboarding processes of volunteers. 
Maintaining records and ensuring compliance with safeguarding, H&S and GDPR 
Experience of working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team 
Working with community partners or referral organisations 
Coordinating volunteers organisational training and assisting them with their
individual development plans.  
Experience of supporting monitoring and reporting requirements
Desirable 
Practical horticulture or food growing experience such as seed sowing, planting,
harvesting, composting and general site care 
Knowledge of agroecological growing practices that enrich living, biodiverse
systems