THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF SAINT NICHOLAS, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR – COMMON GROUND IN SACRED SPACE

Job Title

Volunteer Coordinator (VC) for the Common Ground in Sacred Space Project (part-time)

Background

The VC will, in the first instance, be contracted by the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas as part of the Common Ground in Sacred Space Project (CGISS) Development Phase. Subject to a successful HLF Round 2 pass, this will continue, with additional hours, into the Delivery Stage. For further details about the Cathedral and its CGISS Project, see attached ‘CGISS Background Information’

Role Overview

The Volunteer Coordinator will work closely with the CGISS Project Manager and will recruit and support volunteers, thus assisting in the delivery of the Common Ground in Sacred Space project. This will include directly managing volunteers as well as providing guidance, support, resources and tools to staff who supervise volunteers. The post is funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund Development Grant and is for an initial fixed term contract of one year. As explained above, subject to our success in securing further HLF funding for the delivery of the project, the post will be extended for a further fixed term of three years with additional hours.

Key relationships

The VC will report to the Common Ground in Sacred Space Project Manager.

Her or his other key relationships will be with the CGISS Project Board, and the Cathedral’s Operations Director.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

RECRUITMENT Promote the volunteer program to gain community support of St Nicholas Cathedral and the

volunteer project Develop and implement effective strategies to recruit volunteers who are the right

volunteers with the right skills Develop and implement an intake and interview process for potential volunteers to ensure

the best match between the skills, qualifications and interests of the volunteers and the

needs of the Common Ground in Sacred Space Project

Implement a screening process for potential volunteers according to accepted screening standards and practices

In short – establish a robust recruitment campaign/process to build up our pool of volunteers.

IMPLEMENTATION Plan and manage the volunteer programme Orient volunteers to increase their understanding of the organization, its stakeholders, its

services and the role and responsibilities of volunteers Develop and implement goals and objectives for the volunteer programme which reflect the

mission of the Cathedral and the Common Ground in Sacred Space vision Assess the need for volunteers to enhance service delivery Conduct ongoing evaluation of the programmes and services delivered by volunteers and

implement improvements as necessary Develop, administer, and review policies and procedures which guide the volunteer

programmes and services, and reflect the overall values of the Cathedral Develop and administer forms and records to document the volunteer activities and

progress Identify volunteer assignments that provide meaningful work for volunteers and write the

volunteer position descriptions in consultation with staff as appropriate Train Cathedral staff to work effectively and cooperatively with volunteers Ensure that volunteers are given appropriate training to be successful in their positions Ensure that volunteer check-in procedures are followed and records of volunteer hours are

maintained according to established procedures Ensure that volunteers receive the appropriate level of supervision and affirmation Assist with conflict resolution among clients, staff and volunteers according to established

procedures Establish and implement a process for evaluating the contribution of individual volunteers Plan and implement formal and informal volunteer recognition activities to recognize the

contribution of volunteers to the organization Evaluate the risks associated with each volunteer position and take appropriate action to

control the risks associated with the program or service Ensure that volunteers work in a safe, healthy, and supportive environment in accordance

with all appropriate legislation and regulations

IN ADDITION Develop a budget for the volunteer programme activities Prepare an annual report on the contribution of the volunteer program to the organization

Administer and monitor expenditures for the volunteer program against the approved budget

Additional Information

The VC will be based in Cathedral House (the Cathedral’s offices) IT hardware and support etc. will be provided by the Cathedral.

Person Specification

Below is outlined the education and training, the knowledge and experience and the competences the job holder needs in order to fulfil the requirements of the post. Essential criteria are those an applicant must have in order to apply. Desirable criteria are those qualities that could be useful or attributes which the post holder can be trained to do.

REQUIREMENTS – the post holder must be able to demonstrate: Essential (E)Desirable (D)

Measured by:Application (A)Interview (I)

Absolute Integrity.The Cathedral’s main raison d’être is to proclaim the Christian faith, so the appointee needs to have, or be able to develop, an understanding of the Church of England, it’s ethos and structures, and work comfortably within, and engage with, the Cathedral’s everyday life.This will include

Discretion and confidentiality Highly diplomatic, able to handle colleagues and

stakeholders in a calm, courteous and confident manner Commitment to achieving standards of excellence Self-motivated, energetic with strength of personality

E

E

EEE

A and I

I

IA and IA and I

Education and Training. ‘A’ level or equivalent qualifications Educated to degree standard or equivalent Appropriate professional qualification Evidence of skills in volunteer coordination

EDDE

AAAA and I

Knowledge and Experience Minimum 2 to 3 years work experience Experience of working in a volunteer project An understanding of the value of a volunteer project, not

only to the organisation but also to the volunteers themselves

EEE

AAA

Excellent IT skills, able to use Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel and Outlook) with confidence and accuracy

Understanding of the workings of heritage and church organisations, and of the heritage of Newcastle

Experience of working for partnership projects Experience of developing, planning, delivering and

evaluating projects Experience of working under the pressure of tight

deadlines

E

D

D

D

D

A

A and I

A and I

A and I

ACompetencies

Able to work independently and reliably with minimal supervision

Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, including telephone manner

Excellent numeracy and literacy skills A good eye for detail and excellent presentation skills A team player, able to work flexibly and positively with

others Able to work well under pressure maintaining a cool,

efficient and professional demeanour Proven organisational skills A positive approach to problem-solving Motivational skills, able to lead by example and interpret

and communicate operational activity

E

E

EEE

E

EE

E

I

A

AA and II

I

II

I

Terms of EmploymentContract Status This post is offered, in the first instance, as a fixed term contract,

working 1.5 days a week, for one year - with the possibility of it being extended for a further three years (if we are successful with our HLF Round Two application) working 3 days a week. It will be subject to a three month probationary period.

Salary £23,398 (pro rata) per annum

Pension If eligible, the Cathedral will enrol you into the NEST Pension Scheme, in accordance with pension law. An employee’s minimum contribution is 1% (2017/18), 3% (2018/19), 5% (2019/20). You can contribute as much as you wish, but the Cathedral will only match contributions up to 4%. The contributions are based on basic salary.You have the right to opt out of the scheme if you do not wish to be a member. Whilst participating in the scheme, however, you agree to pension

contributions being deducted from your salary. If you cease to be a member

of the scheme for any reason, the Cathedral will re-enrol you automatically into a pension scheme as and when required by law.

Hours of Work The post is offered on a part time basis, working 1.5 days per week. The normal office hours are 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday with a half hour unpaid lunch break. It will be possible, however, to negotiate flexible working.

Annual Leave The leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. Full time staff receive 25 days paid leave per leave year (pro rata for part time staff)exclusive of 8 bank and public holidays.

Equality Statement

The Dean and Chapter recognise that discrimination and victimisation is unacceptable and that it is in the interests of the organisation and its employees to utilise the skills of the total workforce. It is the aim of the organisation to ensure that no employee or job applicant receives less favourable facilities or treatment (either directly or indirectly) in recruitment or employment on grounds of age, disability, gender/gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Closing Date for receipt of applications: Monday 21st August 2017 (12 noon)

You may email your completed application form to: office@stnicholascathedral.co.uk

Interviews scheduled for: the week beginning 4th September 2017