We’re Hiring! Volunteer Coordinator

Volunteer Coordinator

JOB DESCRIPTION

Employed by: Welsh Centre for International Affairs (WCIA)

Responsible to: Climate Cymru Network Coordinator

Salary and pension: £29,514 pro rata (Band C)

Automatic enrolment into our pension scheme and the WCIA will match your contribution up to a maximum of 5% of your gross salary (minimum 4%)

Employment terms: An 11-month contract, from 1st May 2024 to 31st March 2025.

Notes on the contract dates:

• There is a possibility & hope of extending the contract pending securing future funding.
• The current funding must be allocated by 31st March 2025 latest.
• If a candidate can start earlier, we can extend the length of the contract accordingly. For example 11.5 months finishing on March 31st.
• If the successful candidate can’t start until after 1st May, there would be option of allocating additional working hours per week, over a shortened period, ending 31st March 2025.

Base: Remote working (with the option for office or hybrid work at WCIA, Temple of Peace, Cardiff), ideally based within one of the 6 targets areas: Cardiff, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Brecon, Wrexham or Bangor.

Hours: 2 days per week (14.8 hours). Actual weekly hours may vary which will be managed through our TOIL and flexible working policies.

Leave allowance: 36 days, including bank holidays, pro rata.

Travel: If required to travel for work, expenses will be provided.

Deadline: 9am March 25th, 2024 

About Climate Cymru  

Climate Cymru (https://climate.cymru/) is a movement of thousands of individuals, and a network of hundreds of organisations from all sectors in Wales. We recognise that the climate and nature emergency require urgent, fair action. We believe that action should be guided by science and the voices of people across Wales.  

Climate Cymru is hosted by the Welsh Centre for International Affairs (WCIA). WCIA is a charity that inspires people in Wales to learn about and take action on global issues. WCIA’s vision is that everyone in Wales contributes to creating a fairer and more peaceful world. 

Climate Cymru is genuinely committed to having a meaningful impact and is a powerful vehicle for change in Welsh society. We do this by:   

• Putting pressure on those with power to take concrete action 
• Engaging productively with Welsh Government  
• Making sure voices from across Wales are heard and represented  
• Inspiring and connecting our network 
• Amplifying and accelerating our partners’ work 
• Sharing important information and opportunities with our network and the wider public  
• Learning from society in Wales, and beyond 
• Building broad public support for action 
• Representing Welsh voices and organisations nationally and internationally 

Summary of Role 

Climate Cymru has secured funding to run a year-long volunteer programme in Wales called “Climate Messengers”, which will run alongside, feed into and complement Climate Cymru’s campaigns and work. 

We are seeking a passionate and organised Volunteer Coordinator to join our team and play a crucial role in kick starting the programme. As the Volunteer Coordinator, you will work closely with the Network Coordinator, campaigners, and communications colleagues to embed volunteering into our work by setting up new systems, training, and recruitment processes, as well as inducting and supporting new volunteers.  

You will also support colleagues and help them understand how to embed a quality volunteering experience into their own workstreams. You will inspire involvement from volunteers, using your enthusiasm about environmental and social justice action as well as your excellent interpersonal skills.  

Specific responsibilities for this role include: 

1. Volunteer Recruitment and Onboarding: 

• Collaborate with the Network Coordinator to develop effective strategies for recruiting and inspiring new volunteers. 
• Conduct outreach efforts to attract individuals interested in joining Climate Messengers.
• Facilitate the onboarding process/create a new Climate Cymru module for new volunteers, ensuring they are well-informed about the program’s mission, goals, and expectations and facilitate introductions to Climate Cymru’s media team and campaigners. 

2. Orientation and Training: 

• Develop and implement comprehensive orientation sessions for new volunteers to familiarise them with the organisation, program guidelines, and their roles. 
• Coordinate training sessions to equip volunteers with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute effectively to Climate Messengers. 

3. Communication and Engagement: 

• Maintain regular communication with volunteers to keep them informed about updates, events, and relevant information. 

• Foster a sense of community among volunteers by organising regular meetings and workshops. 
• Address volunteer enquiries, concerns, and feedback in a timely and supportive manner. 

4. Promotion and Outreach: 

• Work with the Network Coordinator and communications colleagues to develop and implement promotional materials for the Climate Messengers program. 
• Work with Climate Cymru partners and volunteers in target areas to help them create a Climate Messenger Network in their area, including utilising online platforms and social media to help them expand the reach of the volunteer program. 

5. Record-Keeping and Reporting: 

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of volunteer information on Salesforce. 
• Prepare regular reports on volunteer engagement, accomplishments, and challenges for the Network Coordinator

Person Specification 

Applicants must demonstrate the following attributes by linking them with relevant experiences and achievements in the job application statement. 

Essential requirements 

The successful candidate will be able to: 

• Demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, Climate Cymru’s mission and WCIA’s mission and vision.   
• Demonstrate commitment to urgent, fair action for climate and nature, and a drive to be a part of transforming our society for the better.  
• Treat people fairly and with dignity and respect and able to encourage people from all backgrounds to get involved in Climate Cymru’s work including where those that have had fewer opportunities to engage in the past.   

• Relevant community/volunteer coordination experience.  
• Strong organisational and time-management abilities. 
• The ability to consistently, and dependably support volunteers as the primary point of contact including the ability to manage minor conflict resolution.  
• Good people and collaboration skills, including the ability to understand, enthuse and inspire others. 
• Capability to communicate in a targeted, persuasive, and empathetic way. 
• General ICT literacy and competence and proficiency in using digital communication tools, for example, Mailchimp and social media platforms. 

Desirable attributes 

• Able to speak and write in Welsh fluently.  
• Proficiency in using Customer Relationship Management packages, for example, Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics.   
• Broad knowledge of issues connected to Climate Cymru’s work. For example, Climate and Nature crises, climate justice, interconnected social justice issues, community climate action and climate solutions.  
• Having an established network and connections within Welsh communities and society that is relevant and useful to Climate Cymru’s work, especially if those connections are within one or more of the six target areas for the role (Cardiff, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Brecon, Wrexham or Bangor). 

Application Process 

• All applicants must complete the official WCIA Application for Employment form, available at https://www.wcia.org.uk/get-involved/vacancies/ Please provide all relevant information on the application form as we will not consider CVs or cover letters as part of the application. 
• All applicants should complete the Equal Opportunities form. Please note that these are separated from your application form upon receipt and not shared with the shortlisting or interview panel. 
• Please submit your application by email to centre@wcia.org.uk. Please get in touch if you have any access requirements in order to apply.
• The deadline for receipt of applications is 9am March 25th. We will send an email acknowledgment to all applicants. If you do not receive an acknowledgment before the deadline, please contact us. We cannot be held responsible for applications that do not reach us, or that arrive after the deadline.
• If you are shortlisted for an interview, we will contact you directly. Interviews will take place as soon as possible after the deadline. We will communicate with shortlisted candidates an agreeable time for all involved.
• No references will be taken up until a provisional offer of employment has been made.
• Unsuccessful applicants will be informed by email.