Volunteering Matters
At Volunteering Matters we use volunteering’s unique power to bring people together and build stronger, more resilient communities across the UK.
We bring people together to resolve some of society’s most complex issues. From social isolation and loneliness; improving health and wellbeing; building skills, confidence, and opportunity; to ensuring young people can become change makers in their community, the impact that we make is great. And we won’t stop until everyone in the UK has the opportunity to thrive.
People-led and impact driven, we are a national charity that is deeply embedded in local areas across the UK. We operate in five regions: London and the South East; Wales and the West of England; East of England; the Midlands and North West England; and Scotland and North East England. We also have an Employee Volunteering Team with over 25 years’ experience, acting as a broker to provide tailor-made solutions to employers. We turn local knowledge and energy into action and progress, building stronger communities and a better future for all.
This is an exciting time to be joining the team. We’re changing the way we work to meet new ambitions and make sure our impact continues to grow alongside out business.
Volunteering Matters Milton Keynes
Volunteering Matters is the provider for the Volunteer Drivers’ Service in Milton Keynes. Driving schemes are a lifeline to some people who are at risk of isolation due to their age or disability. Volunteer drivers support people to medical appointments, including hospital, local surgeries, dentists and opticians, and also children and young people to access education, social care and medical appointments. Volunteer drivers are recruited, trained, and supported by Volunteering Matters.
Volunteering Matters in Milton Keynes also delivers Grandmentors, an intergenerational mentoring project for care experienced young people, Stepping Stones, a mentoring project supporting children and young people transitioning from long-term inpatient mental health settings through mentoring, and RSVP – Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme, part of a wider national family of volunteer-led projects which in MK offers a Pen and Brush Group and a grief and loss café.
Volunteering Matters requires a Project Manager to join the Milton Keynes Team with a primary focus on the MK Volunteer Driver’s Service, but also encompassing wider support of the other delivery areas in the team. We are looking for someone who can work flexibily and demonstrate an understanding and commitment to our organisational values.
Purpose of the Role
The post holder will be responsible for the Project Management of Milton Keynes Volunteer Driver Service and will take a lead role developing new opportunities locally. The post holder will line manage the Administrator and two Engagement Managers within the Volunteer Drivers Service and will report to the Delivery Leader for Central England and Yorkshire.
Key Duties:
Project Management
- To effectively deliver the Milton Keynes Volunteer Driver Service to ensure the project meets its agreed targets and milestones.
- To liaise with key stakeholders, local authorities, partners and key personnel to support project delivery.
- To maintain accurate administration, for all aspects of the project.
- To maintain accurate records on all aspects of the project and submit data onto a secure database. To work with your line manager to ensure project expenditure is in line with the budget.
- To promote and adhere to Volunteering Matters Equality and Diversity Policy and all other Volunteering Matters policies which relate to the work of LifeLines.
- To line manage project staff holding scheduled 1:1 meetings and performance reviews.
Volunteer Management
- To maintain Volunteering Matters quality standards and guidelines for effective volunteer management.
- To develop and support our Milton Keynes volunteer led projects.
- Through the Engagement Managers, ensure volunteers are recruited, appropriately trained and supported in their role; this will involve processing volunteer expenses, DBS checks and maintaining databases.
- To comply with the applicable Health and Safety and Safeguarding regulations.
- To implement and maintain appropriate risk assessment management processes.
- To ensure regular communication between project staff and volunteers is maintained and that regular supervision for volunteers is provided.
- To process volunteer expenses efficiently adhering to Volunteering Matters financial processes.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- To manage and maintain effective monitoring and evaluation records to capture impact and outcomes and ensure contractual compliance.
- To prepare regular reports including monthly progress updates, impact reports and end of year reports for both internal and external purposes.
- To prepare monitoring reports for funders as outlined contract and present progress during regular contract review meetings.
Relationship Management
- Maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and project partners at a day-to day level.
- To work effectively with key partners, attend partnership meetings and work collaboratively.
- To develop relevant information to promote and raise the profile of Volunteering Matters locally. To play an active role in identifying and developing new Business.
- To contribute to joint working and team work across Volunteering Matters
Experience/Skills and attributes
- Proven project management ability including evidence of project management skills and the ability to deliver targets and deadlines.
- Ability to build relationships and maintain positive trusting working relationships with others, including staff, volunteers and stakeholders.
- Ability to set and achieve high standards for self and others and to manage work performance effectively.
- A proven knowledge and understanding of issues affecting people from diverse groups, backgrounds and communities.
- Manage and maintain effective monitoring and evaluation processes to capture impact and outcomes.
- Proven ability to work on your own initiative, managing time and tasks effectively.
- Experience of volunteer management inclusive of recruitment, training and supervision.
- Ability to plan and deliver training.
- Evidence of good administrative and IT skills and the ability to maintain project monitoring, administrative and financial records.
- Ability to assess risk and carrying out risk assessments.
- Knowledge of and commitment to Equal Opportunities.
- Knowledge of and commitment to Data Protection and confidentiality.
- Willingness to work flexibly to meet the needs of the organisation which includes occasional travel across the region.
Qualifications
Relevant experience and values alignment is more important for this role than specific qualifications
Location
The post will be home based, or office based. The postholder will need internet access to enable remote working. I.T. equipment and infrastructure will be supplied. There is an expectation that occasional travel across UK will be required.
Our Values & Way of Working:
In all that we do, we embrace a philosophy of ‘Freedom within a Framework’ and are guided by our values: Empowering, Inclusive, Compassionate, Positive & Straightforward.
This job description is intended to include the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor exclusive but while some variations will be expected, these will be at an appropriate level for the role.
Diversity & Inclusion
Volunteering Matters welcomes all applicants and are keen to ensure our team reflects the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We encourage applications from disabled, LGBT and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, along with candidates with any protected characteristics and from disadvantaged groups.
Disability Confident & Reasonable Adjustments:
We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role. Please provide evidence in your application, which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required in the “Experience/Skills” section of this advert. To be considered for a guaranteed interview or to discuss any reasonable adjustments during the process, please state this in your application or contact [email protected] for more information.
We have also committed to the following pledges which positively encompass our recruitment and selection processes and methodology: The Promise, Show The Salary, Salary History.
Benefits
Our employee benefits reflect our culture which is built on an approach of full flexibility with accountability, and designed to let you make your most positive contribution; we offer Flexible Working by Default (re hours & place of work), Unlimited Annual Leave, Employee Pension scheme, Life Assurance, Cycle to Work Scheme, Season Ticket Loan, Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced sick and family leave. We are also open to discuss job share applications.
GDPR Statement
If you apply for a role with us, we will retain your contact details including your name, address, email address and phone number to help us manage your application for up to 6 months. We will not use your personal data for any other purpose or share it with any third party. You can contact us at any point to update your personal information or ask us to delete it from our records.
To Apply:
Please send a completed application form [email protected] clearly stating which role you are applying for.
There are sections in the form where you can demonstrate how you fulfil the role requirements and also express yourself, what previous relevant achievements you have (both in life and at work), what skills & experience you can offer, and what you believe you can contribute to Volunteering Matters.
If you would like to have a discussion with the Hiring Manager prior to submitting your application, please request this from [email protected]
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www.volunteeringmatters.org.uk