Hwb y Gors Volunteer Coordinator
Job Description
- Employer: Awel Aman Tawe
- Reports to: Hwb y Gors Centre Manager
- Salary: £14p/h
- Hours: Part time post – 7.5 hours per week – flexible working over two days
- Contract term: 1 year with potential extension subject to review.
- Holiday entitlement: pro rata 25 days leave per annum
- Ethical Pension scheme with a 6.5% salary contribution being matched by AAT.
- Deadline: 10th January 2025
- NB. Another part-time position (Hwb Officer) is currently being advertised which may be jointly applied for
Who we are:
Awel Aman Tawe is a charity based in the upper Amman Valley and founded in 1998 with the joint objectives of addressing the climate emergency and supporting community resilience. We have developed the two largest renewable energy co-ops in Wales: Awel Co-op (our wind co-op) and Egni Co-op (our solar co-op). We also run a variety of projects including Energy Warriors schools’ education programme, sustainable community transport, energy efficiency advice and community arts. We bought the former primary school in Cwmgors in 2018 and are currently re-developing it into a new low-carbon arts, education and enterprise centre: Hwb y Gors which will focus on community cohesion, resilience and building local aspirations. We anticipate the centre opening in early 2025. Volunteers will be embedded into the culture of the centre and the Volunteer Coordinator will be key to realising this vision.
Position Summary
You will have a deep understanding and passion for the development of the Volunteer programme at Hwb y Gors, bringing energy and enthusiasm to the role. You will be a problem solver whose attention to detail is as strong as your appreciation for the bigger picture. With great communication skills you will be able to interact with a variety of stakeholders whilst supporting the volunteers to prioritise the needs of the Centre within the organisation. This is a challenging, highly rewarding position, the success of which requires a commitment to the local community and to AAT’s joint purpose of addressing the climate emergency and supporting community resilience. We will strive to ensure the centre is self-sustaining within 3 years and net zero by 2030. The Volunteer Programme will play an integral role in reaching these goals.
Vision for the Volunteer Programme at Hwb y Gors
Over the past 18 months, we have established several programmes which provide opportunities for volunteers including an Electric Community Transport Scheme, a Community Garden Scheme, a Stitch club and a Repair Café. These volunteering opportunities have harnessed enthusiasm, skills and wellbeing within the community as well as involving those that feel less confident through structured activities in a friendly, community space.
Engagement in 2023 saw 159 volunteers clocking up an impressive 1400 hours. We were awarded the NPTCVC Volunteer Awards (Environmental Category) in 2023 and 2024.
We envisage expanding the existing opportunities within the Volunteer programme as well as creating new ones in the café, at regular community meals, events and workshops. We want our volunteers to have a sense of ownership of the building and be instrumental in most areas of operation, to accommodate a wide variety of people, encompassing many different interests, abilities and on a continuum of engagement from basic ‘meet and greet’ to specialist skill sharing. In addition to expanding the roles within the Volunteer programme we are planning to offer personal development training opportunities to our Volunteers including working toward accredited qualifications.
Key to this success will be the Volunteer Coordinator who will show clarity of vision, empathy and pastoral support as well as robust administration to develop and oversee the day-to-day management of our volunteers.
Roles and Responsibilities
As the Volunteer Coordinator you will:
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the Volunteer Programme
- Recruit volunteers – process applications, gather references, undertake interviews and manage the induction process.
- Place volunteers in respective role/s based upon desire and experience
- Brief and allocate training and accreditation opportunities through Agored Cymru
- Undertake regular 1:1 reviews and ongoing mentoring to ensure volunteers feel valued including arranging an annual celebratory event.
- Undertake informal review sessions (‘interviews’) with existing volunteers to ensure all relevant data is gathered
- Maintain accurate volunteer records and report to the Centre Manager quarterly on key outcomes.
- Be familiar with all policies and procedures associated with the programme and ensure that all volunteers are familiar with and adhere to them.
- Promote the volunteer programme in the community for recruitment and retention.
- Communicate with staffing team and external partners not limited to NPTCVS, Duke of Edinburgh coordinator, Social prescribers and the Local Area Coordinators.
- Ensure equality, diversity and inclusion in recruitment of volunteers.
- Resolve issues arising through the scheme and advise volunteers on the best way to resolve issues with clients and deliver excellent customer service.
- Raise staff awareness of the role and value of volunteers within the organisation
- Manage the volunteer budget for training and uniform within the allotted allocation
- Evaluation of the scheme at year end
Person Specification
| Essential | Desirable | |
| Experience of working with community-based organisations and a good understanding of the charity sector environment | x | |
| Experience of managing staff and/or volunteers | x | |
| Knowledge and understanding of local community | x | |
| Knowledge, Skills and Abilities | ||
| Excellent communication and customer service skills | x | |
| Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of people including vulnerable people | x | |
| ICT skills – ability to use databases, social media and to contribute to web content. | x | |
| Good problem-solving skills and awareness of risk assessments | x | |
| Ability to take initiative and identify, prioritise and plan activities independently | x | |
| Commitment to challenging discriminatory or disrespectful behaviour | x | |
| Ability to contribute to strategic target-setting and development planning | x | |
| Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team. | x | |
| Welsh speaker or commitment to learn. | x | |
| Personal Qualities | Essential | Desirable |
| Leadership qualities | x | |
| Commitment to principles of equality and respect for others | x | |
| Good understanding of the social and economic issues faced by the local community | x | |
| Flexibility with working hours including evenings and weekends | x | |
| Commitment to the Race to Zero Campaign | x | |
| Willingness to undertake training and personal development | x |
Training Required which will be arranged by Awel Aman Tawe
- GDPR
- Safeguarding
- EDI
- Disability Awareness
- Violence against woman, domestic abuse & sexual violence
- Food Hygiene
n.b. Another part-time position is advertised which may appeal to applicant to jointly apply for.
Positions are open to all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Application process:
Applications must comprise a CV and covering letter. AAT is a special place to work and it’s important for us to understand clearly why you want to be part of the team and what you feel you can bring. Please ensure you describe fully as part of your covering letter your motivations, experience and suitability for the role with reference to the expectations set out in the personal specification and Job description.
Please email your application to croeso@awel.coop. Please put Hwb y Gors Volunteer Coordinator in the subject heading.
Deadline: 10th January 2025
Interviews: 22nd January 2025
This post is funded by the Moondance Foundation.