JOB ALERT: Laois Volunteer Centre is seeking a Development Officer

Laois Volunteer Centre CLG is seeking a Development Officer for their office based in Bloom HQ, Patrick Street, Mountrath. 

Laois Volunteer Centre is the primary resource for both volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations (VIOs) in Co Laois, and aims to promote the value of volunteering and increase the range and quality of volunteering in the county. 

This position will focus on promoting volunteering and civic participation across the whole community of Laois - urban and rural.

In order to fulfill this objective, this position will focus on building relationships.

The primary focus will be relationship building with members of the public who register to volunteer with charitable/not for profit organisations through Laois Volunteer Centre. 

By managing volunteer registrations, that is, through communicating regularly with volunteers by phone and email etc, conducting in person meetings with volunteers to help identify volunteering roles, matching skills and experience to volunteering roles, Laois Volunteer Centre’s services will be promoted and civic participation enhanced.

Liaising with the Manager and Outreach Officer to build relationships with the not for profit/charitable organisations will also required.

The Development Officer will report directly to the VC Manager and as outlined above is people centred and therefore, will involve liaising with volunteers, not for profit/charitable organisations and the general public.

Key Responsibilities:

 Making and logging calls with volunteers (the customers of Laois Volunteer Centre) and conducting follow ups with customers are central to ensuring the service maintains an excellent customer service record. Supporting the Manager and Outreach Officer in their work around relationship building with not for profit organisations.

 Develop and maintain the customer service aspect of Laois Volunteer Centre by building and maintaining relationships primarily with volunteers and not for profit/charitable organisations.

 Assist and support the VC Manager in the development of services as per the Laois Volunteer Centre’s Annual Work Plans, Annual Report and Strategic Plans. Contribution and participation in the creation of both Plans and the Annual Report is essential as is ensuring that the objectives and targets set out in all are achieved.

 Telephone and email new volunteer registrations within 3-5 working days of their registration. Arrange in person or online meetings with ALL new volunteers - introducing them to the service, providing information about volunteering and how to participate in volunteering activities. Logging and recording details taken during calls etc. All records must be logged and maintained/updated on Salesforce/I-VOL. Keeping accurate and methodical records is crucial.

 Monitoring the progress of placed volunteers by contacting them to assess their volunteering experience. Logging and updating these records on Salesforce/I-VOL. Evaluation forms/surveys to be sent on a regular basis and the results assessed so that high customer (the volunteers and organisations) satisfaction levels are maintained.

 Handle queries about volunteering from members of the public. Assist people to register on I-VOL, provide advice on suitable volunteering roles taking into consideration their interests, skills and support needs and match them to the appropriate volunteering role (s).

 Work the Manager and Outreach Officer to help support the volunteering needs of the not for profit/charitable organisations in the county. Assist in building relationships with these organisations so that they can continue to carry out their day-to-day operations more efficiently by engaging more effectively with volunteers.

 Assisting not for profit/charitable organisations with registration to Laois Volunteer Centre’s service – providing clear instructions or working with a key contact to register the organisation on their behalf.

 Assisting not for profit/charitable organisations to identify and create volunteering roles and promote roles on social media, print etc. The ability to use Canva or similar is important for the creation and publication of high quality role advertisements.

 Evaluation forms/surveys assessing customer satisfaction to be sent on a regular basis and the results assessed so that a high customer (the volunteers and organisations) satisfaction levels are maintained. Following up with organisations on volunteer placement and management of volunteers and recording the outcomes of placement and management of volunteers.

 Provide monthly reports on activities, project/events/meetings etc. and statistics from Salesforce/I-VOL to the Manager and submit these reports at the set time.

 Develop representational role appropriately and strategically, particularly within Volunteer Centres of Ireland structures by attending and participating in Volunteer Centre Network events, Placement Officer/Development Officer meetings, National Volunteer Conferences and other relevant events.

 Promote volunteering and a culture of volunteerism across the whole community through the development and maintenance of excellent customer service and by attending and participating in events hosted by key stakeholders and other relevant organisations.

 Ascertain barriers to volunteering for certain groups and seek solutions- working with the Manager and Outreach officer to identify the obstacles, develop solutions and facilitate volunteering.

 Keep up to date with volunteering issues regionally and nationally by attending and contributing at Laois Volunteer Centre Team Meetings, Development Officer/Placement Officer Meetings and other relevant meetings and events.

 Develop innovative programmes to encourage volunteering especially focusing on evgarents for the annual National Volunteer Week and other relevant events celebrating and promoting volunteering such as the local Community and Voluntary Awards etc.

 Collaborate with the Manager to develop and run the day to day operation of the Community Volunteers Programme; identifying suitable volunteers, supporting volunteers in Community Volunteer led events led events such as Parades, Festivals, emergencies - to support the work of the blue light services etc., liaising with VIOs engaging the support of Community Volunteers. Collecting and recording feedback from both volunteers and VIOs on events.

 Work with the Manager and Outreach Officer to assist voluntary and community organisations in developing sustainable volunteer management practices and creating an inclusive environment.

 Keep accurate and methodical records relating to volunteers and volunteering opportunities.

 Referring to and adhering to the Employee Handbook and other relevant documentation (policies and procedures) and seeking the advice of the Manager if unsure about how to proceed with a task/tasks.

 Any other duties relevant to the role as assigned by the Manager.

Person Specification:

 Excellent Customer Service Skills/People Skills

 Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

 Ability to give and receive feedback in a constructive manner

 Ability to inform, motivate and support individuals and organisations

 Ability to work on own initiative/self-starter

 Ability to prioritise tasks

 Ability to schedule and diarise tasks

 Ability to work with a very wide range of individuals and organisations

 Ability to network effectively between different organisations

 Good general administration skills and computer skills including MS Word, MS Excel, and Internet database packages such as Salesforce

 Willingness to learn new skills relevant to the position

 A clean driving licence and access to a car for work purposes 

Knowledge/Experience

 Possess a relevant qualification and/or relevant experience in the community/voluntary sector 

 Understanding of volunteerism 

 Awareness of equal opportunities and integration 

Hours of Work:

30 hours per week with flexibility to carry out work out of office hours and at weekends where necessary. Days and hours of work to be agreed in advance with the Laois VC Manager in line with service needs.

Place of Work:

Laois Volunteer Centre, Unit 7, Bloom HQ, Mountrath, Co. Laois, R32DT9F with some travel included to meet needs of service 

For further information or to submit your CV, please email the Manager at info@volunteerlaois.ie.