Imago (formerly Voluntary Action within Kent) is a long established, well respected and effective charity working across Kent, Medway and East Sussex to deliver a range of services to individuals, voluntary and community organisations, the public and private sector.
Our mission is to promote, develop and facilitate social action, support independence and empower communities. User and volunteer engagement, leadership and involvement in decision making are core principles.

We deliver a wide range of services in partnership with funders, public sector commissioners and private sector sponsors to children and young people, older people, carers, and volunteers.

Underpinning our work is a commitment to excellence, evidencing impact and safeguarding vulnerable people.

Imago offers a competitive remuneration package consisting of salary, contributory pension, healthcare benefits and 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.

Purpose of Role:

To promote and develop volunteering across West Kent. To provide one-to-one support and advice to prospective volunteers, working with the general public and people who may face barriers to volunteering, including people with disabilities, mental health issues, long-term sick and unemployed. To work with volunteer-involving charities, not-for-profit organisations, community groups and statutory agencies to develop volunteering opportunities and support good practice.

Main Duties:

 To provide a welcoming, helpful and efficient service for all telephone enquiries and visitors to the Volunteer Centre

 Provide support and advice to potential volunteers; deliver a brokerage service to match people’s motivation to volunteer and interests with volunteering opportunities

 Work with voluntary and community groups and statutory agencies to develop volunteering opportunities in the local community. Provide advice and information; promote good practice

 Seek opportunities to raise the profile of the Volunteer Centre with the general public and to specialist audiences, such as people with disabilities, mental health issues, long-term sick and unemployed, active over fifties and young people

 Develop creative and innovative methods to promote volunteering including attendance at events, delivery of workshops and advertising

 To promote volunteering opportunities through traditional and social media platforms

 To ensure regular monitoring requirements and outcomes are met

 To ensure quality standards are met

 To recruit a team of office volunteers to enhance relevant aspects of the role

 To ensure that all office volunteer are appropriately inducted and supported in their roles, and that all Imago’s policies and procedures are implemented

 To network effectively with professionals and other voluntary organisations

 To actively promote the work of Imago in the local community

Qualities/skills:

 Excellent oral communication and written skills, ability to engage with and motivate others; and an empathy with the aims of the organisation

 Ability to work independently and as part of a team, organising work to meet targets, outcomes and deadlines

 Ability to work within professional boundaries

 Good organisational and time management skills

 Well organised with a methodical and efficient approach to project administration, including the compilation of records and reports and the gathering of data

 A willingness to work flexibly

 A commitment to equal opportunities, diversity and making services accessible to all sections of the community

 Excellent computer skills, including the use of social media

 Current driving licence and access to own transport

Essential Experience:

 Experience of recruiting or co-ordinating volunteers

 Higher education qualification or equivalent experience

 Experience of working towards and achieving project goals, targets or outcomes

 Experience in customer relations

Desirable

 Multi-agency working desirable but not essential

 Knowledge of policy and legislation relating to Volunteers

 Knowledge of West Kent area

Post is subject to references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check

Please either submit your CV with a short covering note outlining your CURRENT SALARY and or visit our website at www.imago.community for a full application.

Imago recognises that many people in our society experience discrimination or lack of opportunity for reasons that are not fair. These include: race, religion, creed, colour, national and ethnic origin, political beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability (including mental illness), HIV status, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity status, responsibility for dependants, appearance, geographical area, social class, income level or criminal record.

Imago aims to create a culture that respects and values each other’s differences. Imago sees these differences as an asset to our work as they improve our ability to meet the needs of the organisations and people we serve. We proactively seek to increase opportunities for inclusion, and celebrate diversity across our organisation and within the communities we serve.