Volunteer Organiser
What is the work like?
Volunteer organisers (also known as volunteer coordinators or managers) recruit, train and manage volunteers in all kinds of organisations.
As a volunteer organiser you would work with unpaid volunteers to provide extra support services within hospitals, social services, charitable and voluntary organisations.
Your work would usually include:
- interviewing prospective volunteers
- matching individuals to vacancies
- arranging training
- mentoring volunteers
- providing ongoing coaching and support
- assisting volunteers by giving advice, information and resources.
You could be responsible for making grant applications, keeping records and accounts, managing a budget and organising fundraising. You might also work on committees, supervise paid staff, give talks and arrange advertising and publicity.
When working with smaller organisations or departments, you may be involved with a wider range of duties, including project management, policy development and outreach work.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
There are no set qualifications needed to work as a volunteer organiser, but many employers prefer you to have a BTEC HND or degree. Social science subjects are the most relevant. However, an understanding of the voluntary sector and a high level of commitment are often more important. Extensive relevant experience may be accepted as an alternative to qualifications.
If you have a degree, some of the main national charities (such as Cancer Research UK and Barnardo's) run training schemes. However, these tend to prepare you generally for working in this sector, rather than focusing specifically on volunteer management.
Experience as a volunteer (especially coordinating projects or mentoring other volunteers) can help you get paid work as a volunteer organiser, particularly if you can support this with relevant training or qualifications. You can find out about local volunteering opportunities from Volunteering England.
The ASDAN (an awarding body) has developed two certificates for community volunteers, and an organisation called Working for a Charity runs short courses that may help you prepare for your first paid job in the voluntary and community sector. Courses include:
- Introductory Programme – two evening seminars
- Foundation Course – seven one-day seminars plus a 20-day charity placement
- Effective Voluntary Sector Management – an online course.
What further training and development can I do?
You will usually receive on-the-job training from experienced staff. You may also have the opportunity to take short courses run by external organisations (the Workforce Hub website has details of relevant conferences and training).
You could work towards the Excellence In Volunteer Management (EVM) programme run by Volunteering England. Through the EVM you can gain an accredited qualification in volunteer management and get involved in a range of networking events.
There is a variety of other vocational qualifications you could choose, such as:
- NVQ levels 3, 4 and 5 Management of Volunteers (awarded by ILM)
- Level 3 Award Managing Volunteers, and levels 2 and 3 Managing Voluntary and Community Organisations (awarded by NOCN)
- Advanced Certificate in Volunteer Management (awarded by Lantra).
If you have a degree, you could do a postgraduate course in an area such as volunteer management or community engagement. The Open University Business School also runs a distance learning Professional Certificate in Management, which relates to the public and 'not-for-profit' sector.
You can find networking opportunities, advice and resources on the website of the Association of Volunteer Managers.
Where can I go for more information?
NCVORegent's Wharf
8 All Saints Street
London
N1 9RL
Tel: 020 7520 2512
Hudds Vale Road
St George
BS5 7HY
Tel: 0117 941 1126
Netherstowe
Lichfield
Staffordshire
WS13 6TJ
Tel: 01543 266867
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries for volunteer organisers can be between £15,000 and £22,000 a year.
- With experience, this can rise to between £27,000 and £38,000.
Many volunteer organiser posts are part-time and pro-rata rates may apply.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would typically work around 35 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. With some organisations, you may need to cover weekends and evenings. Part-time work is often available, particularly in smaller organisations that may not have the budget to employ a full-time organiser.
You will be mainly office-based, but some travel is likely to attend meetings with other organisations and to visit volunteers.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- the ability to relate to people from a wide range of backgrounds
- excellent spoken communication skills
- the ability to lead and motivate others
- enthusiasm and a positive, outgoing attitude
- self-motivation and a flexible approach to your role
- a commitment to the issues of your organisation
- tact and patience
- administrative and basic IT skills
- good maths skills for budgeting and keeping accounts.
What opportunities are there?
You can work with local and national voluntary organisations and charities, political parties or pressure groups, and other organisations in the ‘not-for-profit’ sector (such as hospitals, hospices and community health organisations).
Competition for work is strong, especially with well-known charities. There are opportunities all over the UK, although you may find most work is available in cities.
Promotion prospects can depend on the size of the organisation and their finances. Short-term contracts are common and moves are often sideways to a similar position in another organisation. You may need to move to a larger charity or organisation in order to gain promotion or a higher salary.
Experience in this post may help you move into related careers in, for example, youth and community work, social work or charity fundraising.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and further reading: (links open in new window)
Community Care
The Guardian
The Independent
Third Sector
Working for a Charity
Workforce Hub
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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