Job Description

What You'll Bring

A passion for community empowerment and the voluntary sector.

Positive, inclusive, and asset?based mindset--ready to listen, value local strengths, and build confidence.

Commitment to social justice, mental wellbeing, equality, participation, and supporting organisations to succeed.

Why This Role

A unique opportunity to work across East?Ayrshire mobilising volunteers helps tackle social isolation, build social cohesion, and strengthen local resilience.

The opportunity to champion diversity, accessibility, and meaningful engagement so volunteering truly represents all communities.

Job Purpose

The Volunteer Development Lead plays a pivotal role in attracting, recruiting, training and supporting volunteers across third?sector organisations in East?Ayrshire. You will help build an inclusive, rewarding volunteer environment and embed a positive volunteer culture throughout the region. This is a community?facing role working closely with local groups and organisational partners.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Role Development

Design and promote volunteer programmes aligned with organisational and partner needs.

Develop clear volunteer role descriptions and create opportunities based on organisational requirements and community insights.

Partner with Volunteer Scotland to deliver national guidance and best practices locally.

Support third sector organisations to meet Volunteer Scotland's Volunteer Charter principles and quality standards

Attraction & Recruitment

Deploy recruitment campaigns via social media, events, local networks, and volunteer platforms.

Screen candidates, conduct interviews, and match volunteers to suitable placements.

Manage Disclosure Scotland checks, references and onboarding processes.

Use Volunteer Scotland's platforms to promote roles and reach young volunteers.

Attract volunteers aged 12-25 and support them in accessing Saltire Awards

Training & Induction

Design and run induction sessions covering mission, values, policies, safeguarding, and role expectations for volunteering with an emphasis on accessibility and inclusion aligned with Volunteer Scotland standards.

Provide skills training and coordinate any specialist certifications needed.

Ongoing Volunteer Support

Provide regular supervision, mentoring and development opportunities to volunteers.

Act as the first point of contact, resolving issues and addressing concerns promptly.

Serve as key contact for young volunteers navigating the Saltire process.

Community & Culture Building

Facilitate communication and social events that foster connection and shared identity among volunteers.

Promote volunteer contributions and success through recognition schemes or events.

Highlight volunteer achievements across social channels and partner networks.

Engagement & Partnerships

Liaise with third?sector organisations and community groups to align volunteer needs and programmes.

Support partner organisations in embedding inclusive and accessible volunteering practices.

Work closely with Volunteer Scotland to co-deliver events, training, and recognition initiatives.

Support partner organisations in delivering Saltire Awards.

Monitoring & Evaluation

Maintain volunteer databases, collect data on volunteer hours, demographics, satisfaction, and Saltire Awards outcomes.

Evaluate volunteer experience and programme effectiveness, report to partners, funders and senior managers.

Report successes and statistics to Volunteer Scotland, funders and senior leadership.

Policies & Governance

Develop and update volunteering policies, risk assessments, safeguarding protocols and best?practice guidelines.

Keep abreast of legislation and sector guidance.

Budget & Resource Management

Oversee volunteer budgets, ensure reimbursement of agreed expenses, and manage any programme funding or resource requirements.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications & Experience

Degree in Community Development, Social Work, Sociology, or closely related field. Minimum two years' experience working in volunteer development or support role.

Skills & Experience

Knowledge of Volunteer Scotland standards, and familiarity with Saltire Awards process and requirements.

Demonstrable experience in volunteer recruitment, training, supervision and programme coordination. Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to engage diverse groups and build relationships. Excellent organisational and time?management capabilities; ability to juggle competing priorities. Competence using volunteer databases, spreadsheets and standard IT tools. Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion; understanding of access barriers within volunteering. Ability to develop and deliver engaging training and induction materials.

Personal Attributes

Empathetic, approachable and resilient--able to support volunteers with patience and respect.

A self?starter who can innovate and adapt in a busy, community?led environment.

Passion for civic empowerment and community development.

Warm, approachable and adaptable--especially when engaging young people beginning their volunteering journey.

Resilient and creative--able to champion volunteering in diverse environments.

Desirable

Experience working within community or third?sector organisations in East Ayrshire.

Experience in fundraising or supporting partner fundraising activities.

Previous experience supporting or delivering Saltire Awards at a local TSI or community level.

Experience organising Awards or recognition events.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 30,000.00 per year

Education:

Bachelor's (preferred)
Work Location: In person