Folkestone Rainbow Centre

Hours: 21-hour week, (15hrs volunteer management and 6hrs events) occasionally, flexibility and some evening/weekend work may be required to support events.
Location: Rainbow Centre, 69 Sandgate Road, Folkestone, Kent CT20 2AF
Responsible to: the CEO
Specific requirements: The post holder is required to complete & hold a DBS check with satisfactory results and complete safeguarding training
Purpose
The Volunteer Development and Events Officer expected to:
(i) Lead the whole recruitment process of new volunteers to meet the Rainbow Centre Services’ needs
(ii) Manage volunteers running the Rainbow Centre's annual events and arrange for volunteers to attend external fundraising and other promotion events organised by other organisations.
Main Responsibilities
• Lead and develop a strategy for supporting volunteering and managing volunteers across the organisation in line with the strategic direction of the Rainbow Centre.
• Recruit, conduct DBS checks, train, retain and support all service and events volunteers.
• Retain volunteers through supporting them and checking in on them, getting feedback, mounting training and volunteer appreciation events especially during the annual volunteers’ week.
• Manage the volunteer database and ensure that it is up to date.
• Build relationships with the church community, volunteer organisations, local businesses, and colleges to ensure a steady stream of quality volunteers.
• Communicate regularly with volunteers through newsletters and social media to update them on Centre activities and organise celebratory events.
• Provide advice to staff and board on volunteering issues.
• Ensure the learning from any work is captured, communicated and used to improve practice.
• Ensure that FRC is up to date with good practices in volunteer management and develop strong links with key stakeholder groups in this field: The Association of Volunteer Managers, Volunteering Matters, NCVO, etc.
• Promoting the recruitment of volunteers to create a pool of trained ambassadors who can represent the organisation externally.

Develop a team of FRC Volunteer Ambassadors equipped with resources and knowledge of the charity capable of representing FRC in schools, youth clubs, businesses, churches, etc.
• The ambassadors will also represent the FRC in external fundraising events mounted in aid of the FRC.
• Respond to requests for FRC presentations at local events organised by others, giving the necessary support and ensuring that they fit with the FRC ethos.
Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Abilities
• Good standard of education with excellent literacy and communication skills. (Essential)
• Ability to relate with and communicate effectively in writing and verbally with a wide range of people including individuals, voluntary community groups and local businesses, building relationships, as well as representing the organisation at event.
• Strong administration, organisation and IT skills, experienced with Mailchimp and databases with the ability to maintain a volunteer database, including extrapolating mailing lists, reports and statistics from these (Essential)
• Ability to provide information and guidance as appropriate, maintain clear records that others can use, and present information in electronic and paper formats.
• Practical experience in volunteering or supervising volunteers. (Essential) with recruitment and customer service experience. (Desirable)
• Understanding the key issues affecting volunteer management and a knowledge of befriending and mentoring schemes. (Desirable)
• The ability to work as a team member to meet volunteer requirements and support new and existing volunteers.
• Self-motivated and able to use initiative and work on a self-directed basis, yet be proactive and a team player.
• An interest in promoting fundraising events, using own initiative in drumming up support and attendance.
• Empathy and ability to work with vulnerable people from disadvantaged, marginalised, or socially excluded backgrounds.
• An understanding and empathy with the Christian ethos of the Rainbow Centre.