Volunteer Branch Secretary

Could you coordinate local SSAFA services in your area? You don’t need a military background, just good I.T and admin skills, the ability to get on with people and good written and spoken English. If so we’d love to hear from you.

**What is a Branch Secretary?**

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas. These are divided into local areas that we call divisions. Each branch has one or more secretaries to organise day-to-day activities. This is a key role involves case management and coordinating and allocating people to cases. As the first point of contact for SSAFA in the area you will play a crucial part in ensuring the smooth running of SSAFA across your branch.

**Why do we need you?**

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community for more than 130 years. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and the number of people contacting us for help rises each year. In recognition of their service to the Nation we aim to provide financial, practical and emotional support when it’s needed most. To do this we need local branches and volunteers who can match clients to volunteers and keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

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

This role is about coordination, as part of your local branch you have the flexibility to access the local office or work from home.

The role would suit someone looking to offer a regular time commitment each week.

**What would you be doing?**
- Work with the branch Chairperson, treasurer and other branch secretary to ensure smooth running of the branch
- Accept referrals from beneficiaries and allocate these to SSAFA caseworkers accordingly.
- Keep an oversight of numbers of cases and make sure volunteers feel like they have a manageable caseload.
- Oversee all SSAFA casework across the branch ensuring clients get support that is effective and timely
- Build relationships with regional and central office staff to ensure an effective flow of information
- 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.)

**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 life experience to benefit others
- 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 about training and support?**
- A virtual or Face to face course is available for new branch secretaries. Your trainer will guide your group of like-minded volunteers through everything you need to know to run a SSAFA branch.
- On-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families and personal information safe.
- Access to a range of e-learning courses as well as local opportunities to keep your training up to date.
- Support from the Chair of the branch
- Support from the Regional Operations Support Manager (per region)
- Access to the Welfare Team and Volunteer Support Team based at our central office
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
**What are we looking for?**
- Friendly and approachable people of any age (18+) with some experience of coordinating people and admin
- Good written and spoken English
- ability to be respectful and non-judgemental with clients, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
- ability to coordinate a team of people volunteering
- willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the training course)
- ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to reporting any safety concerns etc
- reliable attitude, contact clients and volunteers promptly, keep appointments etc.
- ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely
- access to public transport or a car to travel to meetings, events if needed
- ability to provide two referees: former employers or other people that know you well (other than relatives)
**Minimum Age**:18

**Is a criminal record check required? **No

**How do I find out more?**
- Message us via Indeed to find out more or to apply.
Part-time hours: 4 per week

**Job Types**: Part-time, Volunteer

COVID-19 considerations:
All volunteer work is currently remote.

Work remotely:

- Yes