Senior Volunteering

Would you like to be part of a creative, dynamic and exciting team who engage with a diverse and large proportion of the local audience? We are looking for someone to champion volunteering and community involvement in South Down, with the challenge of the Mournes, the coastal opportunity for climate at Murlough National Nature reserve and the experience and heritage of Castle Ward. Tasked with developing positive, inclusive and flexible ways for people to get involved - either through volunteering or working with and through communities.

Are you an inspirer of people, do you have the vision and ability to bring people along? Are you a champion of community engagement and enabling our volunteers to be a vibrant and core part of looking after our places and our visitors?

This is a fixed term contract due to end when the previous employee returns from maternity leave. At this point we cannot confirm exactly how long this contract will last, but it is unlikely to be more than 12 months.

What it's like to work here:What an exciting portfolio to be a part of. From Castle Ward with its unique 18th century mansion, stunning historic landscape overlooking Strangford Lough to playing a part in sharing with our visitors the most famous and loved mountains in the country, the Mournes, and helping support the recovery of the devastating wildfires of 2021 through Forever Mournes partnership and last but not least showcasing the extraordinarily beautiful dune landscape of Murlough National Nature Reserve with its kaleidoscope of flora and fauna... you will be inspired daily in your work.

The South Down team is characterised by a strong ethos of working together across departmental boundaries, with a justified pride in the portfolio and the visitor offer. South Down is focused on a desire to deliver brilliant standards of conservation, visitor experience, presentation, and service. You’ll also be working closely with every department from parkland to our collections, as well as collaborating with cross-functional regional colleagues who provide expertise, advice and support, and most importantly with local community.

For more information about the property please visit:
What you'll be doing:As the Senior Volunteering and Community Officer you will be a member of the Property Leadership Team, helping set and deliver the future direction for this diverse portfolio. You will lead the development and delivery of the South Down portfolio plan for volunteering and community engagement. Supporting and building the confidence and capability of volunteer managers and working with volunteers at each stage of the volunteer journey to ensure they feel engaged and involved in the work of the properties within the portfolio. Proactively listening and responding to volunteers, communities, and partners. This will include supporting effective recruitment, selection, and induction of new volunteers to ensure that there is a 'one team' culture which is inclusive and ensures volunteering is open to everyone.

You will take a longer-term view of how to plan, evolve and ultimately implement volunteering and our work with communities so it achieves our charitable aims of ensuring access for all, conservation of our special places and growing support for what we.

Please also read the full role profile, attached to this advert.
- Who we're looking forUnderstanding and good practice of volunteer management.
- Understanding of good practice in community engagement and involvement, as well as broader participation and partnership working.
- Practical and successful experience of developing and implementing new products and approaches to volunteers.
- Excellent organisational and planning skills.
- Ability to coach and support those managing, supervising and working alongside volunteers and community partners.
- Strong communication skills.

The packageThe National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
- Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Tax-free childcare scheme
- Rental deposit loan scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking at most Trust places
- Independent financial advice

Requirements :Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK
Fixed Term f/t (37.5 hrs pw for 12 mo)