To apply, please download an application pack from our website at http://www.kab.org.uk/working-with-us/current-vacancies.html or call 01622 691357 for a postal pack. We will not accept CVs in application for this post without a completed application pack.

Kent Association for the Blind (KAB) is a charity that provides a comprehensive rehabilitation service to sight and hearing impaired people of all ages and abilities across Kent.

Hours of work: 35 hours per week, between hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Some out of hours work will be required, for which time off in-lieu will be awarded. This post is maternity cover for a period of 9 months (flexible working considered).

Based at: 51 London Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 8LF and covering KAB's area of service.

Salary: £18,249 to £21,572 per annum.

Job Description

Purpose of Job:

To ensure that an adequate supply of suitable, trained volunteers are available to assist KAB and its partners in supporting their clients and helping KAB to achieve strategic aims.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Coordinate volunteers

- Recruit and select new volunteers ensuring that active volunteers are available across all areas of the charity’s work.

- Manage all aspects of the recruitment and selection process; this will include being the initial point of contact and managing all volunteering enquiries: drafting or amending volunteer role descriptions as needed, promotion and advertising; interview and selection; taking up references and Disclosure and Barring Service checks as needed.

- Co-ordinate volunteer activities across the team area. Organise workload to respond in a timely manner to requests from KAB colleagues in all departments for volunteers, ensuring that priority is given to urgent requests; placing volunteers appropriately, matching their skills and abilities to the needs defined by colleagues.

- Work in a needs-led way, recruiting and training volunteers in response to needs defined by rehab teams, fundraising teams and other KAB colleagues.

- Maintain regular contact with all volunteers, including quarterly e-bulletins, telephone contact and occasional face-to-face meetings; provide supervision and support as needed, and ensure that any additional training needs are met.

- Ensure volunteer activities are safe, that up to date risk assessments are in place for all local volunteer roles, events and activities, and that risks are being effectively managed.

Administration and evaluation

- Be administratively self-supporting; maintain effective office information systems, accurate records of all volunteer activities, and ensure that volunteer records on KAB’s database are accurate and up to date. Produce statistical information, case studies and reports as required.

- Manage volunteer expenses and mileage claims. Check all claims for accuracy and ensuring spend is within budget.

General duties

- Promote and champion the role of volunteers, both internally and externally, so that they are respected and valued for their contribution to the charity. This includes liaison with local and regional organisations and the media, use of KAB’s website, social media and marketing materials, and arranging occasional events to promote volunteering and celebrate achievements.

- Maintain an excellent understanding of current best practice, legislation and new developments in the field of volunteering. Together with the Team Leader, ensure that this knowledge is used to inform volunteering practice within KAB.

- Liaise effectively with colleagues to exchange information and promote good practice to benefit clients and KAB. This will include attending rehab team and VC meetings, providing occasional support to colleagues as required, and attending other KAB events, meetings and training.

- Perform other duties as required by the Rehab Team Leader or the Chief Executive of KAB.

This job description is not exhaustive, and is provided to assist the post holder to know what her/his duties are. It may be amended from time to time, without change to the levels of responsibility appropriate to the grade of the post and in discussion with the post holder.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria
Be able to demonstrate:

- Excellent inter-personal skills, good listening skills and the ability to influence and motivate volunteers and the public and build effective professional networks and relationships.

- Excellent written communication skills.

- A knowledge of Health and Safety issues and risk management; the ability to carry out risk assessments and respond appropriately.

- An understanding of equality and diversity issues, and a commitment to putting equality principles into practice.

- Effective administrative skills and a good standard of IT skills, including MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Access or other database, and internet.

- Sound numeracy skills, including the ability to independently produce statistical reports using databases and spreadsheets.

- A good pass at O Level/GCSE Mathematics and English Language or equivalent.

- Ability to work on your own initiative and take personal responsibility for making things happen.

- Good time management skills, and the ability to manage a diverse workload and prioritise effectively so that deadlines are met.

- A sensitive and professional approach towards colleagues, volunteers and service users, mindful of confidentiality and anti-discriminatory practices.

- Ability to travel independently across the area of service.

- Empathy with KAB’s aims, values and objectives.

Desirable Criteria

- An understanding of the legal and best practice issues in volunteering, including relevant volunteer policies and procedures.

- An understanding of the needs of sight impaired people.

KAB is an equal opportunities employer.

To apply, please download an application pack from our website at http://www.kab.org.uk/working-with-us/current-vacancies.html or call 01622 691357 for a postal pack. We will not accept CVs in application for this post without a completed application pack.