Job Description

Programme Coordinator: Volunteering for Health

Pay: 31,069 pro rata (24,165 for 28 hours per week)

Hours: 28 hours per week

Funded until the end of June 2027

Location: Hybrid working from home, at the West Essex Community Action Network (WECAN) office and The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in Harlow.

About the role

We're seeking a part-time Programme Coordinator to support the development and delivery of a new collaborative, cross-sector programme in West Essex, aimed at growing and sustaining volunteers across health and community settings.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an innovative initiative that builds on the surge of volunteering for health we saw during the pandemic. With experience in project coordination or public engagement in the health, social care and/or VCFSE (voluntary, community, faith, social enterprise sector), the Programme Coordinator will support the Volunteering for Health programme delivery and engage with underrepresented groups in the local community.

This role is a key part of the wider Herts & West Essex Volunteering for Health Programme Team, led by a supportive Programme Lead and with equivalent Programme Coordinators based in and around Stevenage, Hatfield and Watford.

Volunteering for Health Hertfordshire and West Essex is an NHS-funded programme.

Find out more about the Programme Coordinator opportunity in East & North Herts. https://communityalliancebeh.org.uk/jobs/

Job Purpose

To work with WECAN, The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust and programme partners to develop new collaborative systems and ways of working to attract and retain volunteers in health and community settings, such as the development of a Volunteer Passport for Herts and West Essex. Engage with local communities in West Essex to gain a better understanding of the challenges that prevent some people from volunteering and how best to address them to address health inequalities and improve life chances. Develop a truly integrated volunteering offer which wraps around the needs of the 'beneficiary' not the bureaucratic needs of the NHS Trust, Department or Charity.

Key responsibilities

Programme coordination and support

Assist in the coordination and administration of the programme's West Essex Steering Group. Support the delivery of the Volunteering for Health programme in West Essex, ensuring alignment with both NHS priorities and community needs. Contribute to monitoring and evaluation activities, including gathering and analysing data to identify challenges and opportunities in local volunteering. Participate in regular programme team meetings.

Partner and community engagement

Cultivate strong, ongoing relationships with NHS programme partners, education, local authorities, and voluntary sector organisations. Engage with diverse community groups to understand barriers to volunteering and co-design inclusive solutions. Strengthen connections between local NHS services and VCFSE to promote community-based prevention and care through volunteer opportunities.

Communications & outreach

Promote the programme and related opportunities at local meetings and events. Help deliver the programme's communications plan, ensuring clear and inclusive messaging to the programme's audiences.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Essential:

A relevant degree or equivalent experience in a related field such as public health, community development, community engagement, social prescribing, and/or the VCFSE sector. Proven experience in supporting and coordinating projects, preferably within the VCFSE, health or social care sectors. Experience in research, data collection and analysis to inform project monitoring and evaluation. Experience in engaging with diverse communities.
Desirable:

Knowledge of the NHS and VCFSE, particularly within the context of volunteer involvement. Experience of supporting communications activities such as writing project updates, social media, updating web pages, designing marketing materials in programmes such as Canva. Experience in working with marginalised or underserved communities to address health inequalities.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Essential:

Excellent project coordination skills, including planning, monitoring, and reporting on project progress. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present information clearly to a range of audiences. Good organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously, working across different locations. Proficiency in using standard office software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation tools.
Desirable:

Understanding of the principles of volunteer management, including recruitment, training, and support.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Essential:

Knowledge of safeguarding practices and commitment to promoting the welfare of vulnerable children, young people and adults. Understanding of equalities and diversity principles and their application in voluntary sector and health settings.
Desirable:

Knowledge of the cultural and community-specific factors that influence volunteering behaviours, particularly within BAME and faith communities. Awareness of the local health and social care landscape in West Essex.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Essential:

A proactive and self-motivated individual with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Flexibility and willingness to adapt to changing project needs and priorities. Commitment to promoting health equity and improving life chances through volunteer engagement. Ability to travel extensively across West Essex as required for the role. Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends to accommodate project activities and events.
Other Requirements

Essential:

Full, clean driving license and access to a vehicle for travel as required by the role Ability to work from home, the WECAN office in Harlow and The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust office in Harlow, as well as attend meetings and events in various locations. Commitment to the values and policies of WECAN, including equality, diversity, and confidentiality.

We welcome applications from all who are passionate about this role. If you don't meet every qualification on the list, please still consider applying and feel free to reach out to us with any questions.

Contact Katie Edwards, Programme Lead, with any questions: katieedwards@nhcvs.org.uk

An application pack is available from: admin@vaef.org.uk

Telephone: 01992 910701 (leave a message)

NO CVs ACCEPTED

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: 24,165.00 per year

Expected hours: 28 per week

Benefits:

Free or subsidised travel Health & wellbeing programme Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Harlow CM20 1QX

Application deadline: 20/10/2025