Volunteering Development Officer - Northern Ireland

We are seeking an enthusiastic individual with a strong background in volunteer management, ideally in a leadership capacity, to become a vital addition to our team in Northern Ireland (NI). This represents a brilliant opportunity to join RSPB NI and offer expert-level guidance, advice, and support to teams throughout Northern Ireland. 
What's the role about? 

Volunteering is pivotal for the success of the RSPB; we could not save nature without volunteers. With our volunteers giving their time and talents regularly, it is so important that we ensure our large workforce are being well supported so our volunteers are having a quality volunteering experience and gaining enjoyment and satisfaction from what they do.

We are looking for a motivated person with experience working with volunteers, preferably in a leadership role, to join our Northern Ireland (NI) team. You’ll ensure the team have the skills needed to develop and implement innovative and effective volunteering initiatives that are in line with volunteering good practice and are of the highest standards.

You will work with our active Local Group network, the face and voice of the RSPB in local communities, providing support and guidance to enable them to continue to deliver quality activities and experiences within their community.

This role covers the whole of Northern Ireland, so you will be organised and work consistently to be visible to the teams you support, even if you can't be everywhere in person.

You will also be a champion for change, looking for ways of doing things better. For the organisation to grow and ultimately save nature, we must mobilise and develop volunteers across all areas of the business, it is the role of the Volunteering Development Officer to give the energy and expertise needed to realise that change.

What we need from you

Essentials:

• Demonstrable track record of having successfully and effectively developed a range of volunteering roles and schemes across an organisation
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, successfully influencing, persuading, guiding, listening to, and negotiating with others
• Ability to build and manage effective and productive stakeholder relationships
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage and deliver a diverse portfolio of work and to balance the priorities and needs of multiple projects and/or stakeholders
• Excellent understanding and experience of volunteering – both as a volunteer and volunteer manager
• Experience of working in the charitable sector or in a volunteer-involving organisation
• Experience of providing operational advice and guidance on volunteer involvement to people at all levels and building effective stakeholder relationships.

Additional Information
This is a Permanent/Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from the 15th of August 2024. For further information please contact jess.mcvicar@rspb.org.uk.

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

We reserve the right to close this advert once sufficient applications have been received.