The Ubele Initiative

JOB DESCRIPTION Recruitment and the Volunteer Cycle Lead on drafting volunteer role descriptions in collaboration with the recruitment lead. Undertake advertising of volunteer opportunities across multiple platforms ensuring best practice in relation to safer recruitment and equal opportunities practice. Work with referral partners and community organisations where appropriate to support participation. Be responsible for the onboarding of volunteers including right to work checks, induction scheduling, and induction reviews. Managers volunteer leavers and the change in relationship, ensure volunteers are removed from any formal communication channels and receive an exit interview to document their experience. Training, Learning and Development Ensure all volunteers are compliant with the essential training modules such as Safeguarding, Health and Safety and GDPR and maintain records of the same. Report on these as required. Lead on designing a progression pathway for volunteers who may wish to move into other areas of learning, traineeships or apply for other opportunities. Work closely with growers and other staff to plan and coordinate volunteer involvement and support staff to work confidently and positively with volunteers. Systems and Organisation Be responsible for maintaining the volunteer's personal information in the BrightHR system and in compliance with GDPR rules. Lead on systematising the volunteer rotas whether regular volunteering or one-off activities. Tracking attendance and ensuring we know who is on site when. Volunteer Team Culture and Management Lead the day-to-day coordination of the volunteer programme across growing areas, site care, and related activities Act as line manager for the volunteers, having regular opportunities for feedback such as one to ones and communicate key messages from organisation leads that are applicable to the volunteers. Lead on buddy / peer support approaches within the volunteer programme ensuring equality of experience of the volunteers. Foster a positive, respectful, and inclusive culture on site where people feel a sense of belonging Dedicate a portion of time to undertaking the tasks expected of volunteers working hand on alongside volunteers and developing a deeper knowledge and understanding of their day to day. Work closely with all site users to ensure volunteers are integrated into real site activities, particularly the growers team. Monitoring and Evaluation Activities Gather feedback quantitative and qualitative from volunteers and support the ongoing development of the volunteer programme Contribute to monitoring and reporting requirements linked to funded volunteer activity Ensure information required for reporting is up to date and accurate in time for reporting deadlines and that those deadlines are met. Support funding applications where appropriate. Compliance Ensure volunteer activities and management follow all organisational policies, including safeguarding, health and safety and equality applicable to the volunteer. Maintain clear professional boundaries and escalate safeguarding concerns in line with procedure Ensure that applicable internal policies and procedures are followed through in all areas of work. Also treat with confidentiality any information that could be deemed as personal, private, or sensitive and comply with both organisations GDPR and Safeguarding requirements. Working with the Wider Team & Partnerships Help build and maintain relationships with community partners linked to volunteering and learning opportunities Represent the volunteer programme internally and externally when required Represent the organisations externally when required Other To attend and participate in internal and external meetings as required. To attend relevant training to fulfil the requirements of the job. To undertake other duties which may from time to time be required and which are appropriate to the responsibilities of the post. Person Specification Knowledge Interest in sustainable food growing and community-led work Knowledge of the full volunteer cycle including recruitment, onboarding, supervision, development and exit processes Knowledge of safer recruitment principles and equal opportunities practice Understanding of safeguarding legislation and procedures, particularly when working with vulnerable adults and/or young people Knowledge of GDPR and data protection requirements in relation to volunteer records Skills Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage rotas, records, and multiple volunteer streams simultaneously Ability to write clear engaging content for varied audiences and for different purposes. Confident communicator with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships across teams and with community partners Ability to support, motivate and line manage volunteers with understanding and mutual respect. An overall good level of IT skills, and a variety of online platforms. Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to foster an inclusive, respectful, and supportive team culture with a warm, inclusive, and supportive approach. Comfortable working outdoors in a practical role year-round Experience Experience of coordinating or managing volunteers or similar groups. Supporting people with additional needs and mental health conditions. Working in and understanding the needs of an on-site environment Experience of recruitment and onboarding processes of volunteers. Maintaining records and ensuring compliance with safeguarding, H&S and GDPR Experience of working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team Working with community partners or referral organisations Coordinating volunteers organisational training and assisting them with their individual development plans. Experience of supporting monitoring and reporting requirements Desirable Practical horticulture or food growing experience such as seed sowing, planting, harvesting, composting and general site care Knowledge of agroecological growing practices that enrich living, biodiverse systems