Volunteer Branch IT Coordinator

This role covers Honiton and surrounding areas.

Could you support SSAFA volunteers in your area with the I.T they need to support our clients? You don’t need a military background, just some basic I.T skills, patience, and the ability to get on with a wide range of people. If you have training experience, that would be great but not essential. Get in touch to find out more.

**What is an I.T Coordinator?**

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas. Each one has an I.T Coordinator to support all volunteers to make the most of the internet-based systems we use in our work with clients. This is a key role involving supporting people of all ages sharing skills.

**Why do we need you?**

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

We use internet-based systems to offer the best possible service to our clients and SSAFA volunteers. Some of our volunteers already have I.T skills while some do not. Could you be a friendly face to help volunteers with their computing questions?

**When would you be needed and where would you be based?**

A key aspect to this role will be supporting volunteers by running workshops, drop-ins or supporting individual volunteers by phone or at their homes.

The role would suit someone looking to offer a regular commitment to the branch, but days and times could vary to suit you.

**What would you be doing?**
- Supporting volunteers to use computers and software relevant to their SSAFA role.
- Helping to resolve I.T issues, seeking assistance from Central Office where necessary.
- Assisting in the role out of new I.T initiatives including the testing of software
- Becoming the branch expert on the SSAFA Finance Management System and Client Management system
- Supporting all volunteers to act in accordance with the data protection policy, reporting any breaches to the branch secretary and seeking advice from Central Office as needed.
- Working with Regional Trainer, branch volunteers and the Learning and Development team to identify local training needs and arrange for the required courses to be delivered.
- Supporting and encouraging any volunteers facing barriers to completing their training
- Providing reports to the local SSAFA branch and to SSAFA’s Central Office
- Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer or fundraiser.
- Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)

SSAFA is embarking on a programme of review and change to ensure that the beneficiary is at the heart of all that we do and that volunteers are fully supported in their roles. The remit of this role is likely to change over the next 12-18 months, away from supporting caseworkers to focus on fundraising and ambassadorial activities. This will help us to raise the profile of SSAFA and of the services we offer to the Armed Forces family. By joining us now, you will be part of that transition and can help shape the future of SSAFA.

**What can you gain from this volunteering role?**
- Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area
- Use your skills, knowledge, and experience to benefit others.
- Appreciate that your role has a positive impact on the quality of service we can provide to clients as well as providing development opportunities for our volunteers.
- Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
- Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
- Better physical and mental health - studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression

**What training and support would you receive?**
- Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
- Access to a range of e-learning courses
- Support from your local branch secretary.
- Support from the relevant teams at Central Office
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
- Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

**What are we looking for?**
- Friendly and approachable people
- Competence in the general use of laptops and tablets and experience of using Microsoft Office 365
- Good written and spoken