Laois Volunteer Centre are currently seeking to hire a part-time permanent (subject to continuance of funding) Outreach Officer.
Job Title: Outreach Officer
Reporting to: Volunteer Centre Manager
Location: Laois Volunteer Centre, Unit 7, Bloom HQ (remote working hub), Mountrath, Co. Laois. However, the role will require a reasonable amount of travel, within and around the county, to promote the Centre and to engage with local community/ voluntary groups individuals. Infrequent travel to other volunteer centres (in Ireland) may also be required as part of the role.
Overview:
Laois Volunteer Centre provides a professional, person-centred approach to supporting volunteers and volunteer involving organisations across Co. Laois.
Laois Volunteer Centre was established in 2021 and the aim of the service is to become a “one stop shop” for volunteerism in county Laois. The service builds upon the existing volunteering infrastructure within the county, and our role is to provide advice and support to members of the public (to become volunteers) and to not for profit/charitable organisations who require the support and assistance of volunteers to carry out their vital work in the community. The
Outreach Officer will play a key role, working with the Manager, Development Officer and Board of Directors in creating, planning, organising and delivering an outreach service in the county. They will also be involved in the ongoing promotion of the Centre to various stakeholders within and around the county.
There is a healthy and enthusiastic appetite for volunteering in Co. Laois and to date, Laois Volunteer Centre has recruited approximately 1,000 volunteers and 80 organisations. We have been involved in event volunteering at Shine in Emo, Laois Africa Day and The Old Fort Festival. In December 2022, we secured funding to take on a Ukrainian Support Worker and this has enabled us to help members of that community to integrate more easily into Co. Laois through participation in volunteering and other community events.
Primary Purpose of the Role Outreach Officer:
The primary purpose of this position is to building relationships with the not for profit/charitable organisations in Co. Laois. In order to build and maintain strong relationships with the organisations, outreach and regular, clear communications is essential.
Outreach is the primary role however, the communications aspect of the role reflects the growing and expanding nature of the organisation. There will also be some administrative duties linked to both the outreach and communications functions.
Outreach & Communication Duties:
- Deliver a fit for purpose outreach service to enable the Centre to meet its strategic objectives.
- Work with the other Volunteer Centre staff (i.e. Manager and Development Officer currently) to create, plan, organise and deliver an outreach service in various public settings. This will include, but will not be limited to, public talks, workshops and presentations across the county/ community, e.g. in community centres, shopping centres, libraries, parish centres etc.
- Plan, organise and deliver other events to support the Centre’s goals, e.g. community events – charity fundraising drives, fun days etc.
- Implement and manage the Community Volunteers Programme with a large key stakeholder in the county. This will necessitate setting up meetings with the stakeholder, presenting the Programme to the stakeholder, securing their participation with the Programme and managing the day to day delivery of the Programme.
- Whilst conducting outreach, the candidate will, in effect, be a spokesperson for Laois Volunteer Centre, communicating its aims and objectives, promoting engagement with the service, registering members of the public for volunteering opportunities and engaging with organisations who need volunteers.
- Deliver talks/presentations (“elevator pitch”) to volunteer involving groups/organisations about Laois Volunteer Centre and its services – Engaging and recruiting not for profit organisations is a key requirement. Achieving targets set on organisation recruitment is key.
- Update the Centre’s website on an ongoing basis with information including, but not limited to, Centre activities, upcoming initiatives and achievements etc.
- Develop and implement the Centre’s digital communications including, but not limited to, a regular e-zine for volunteers, social media communications etc.
- Work with the Manager and other staff to ensure that there is publicity and communications for Laois Volunteer Centre when appropriate.
- Work with the Manager and Development Officer to identify and reduce the barriers to volunteering that marginalised groups such as migrants, Travellers etc. face.
General Administration Duties:
- Provide administrative back up and support to Laois Volunteer Centre Manager and Development Officer in the delivery of quality-based, person centred service within Co. Laois.
- To undertake administration duties to support communication, maintenance of website, promotion, social media etc.
- General administrative duties as they relate to the post including reports as requested.
Person Specification – education/ skills/ experience required
Essential criteria
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Ability to schedule, diarise and prioritise work
- Experience of working in a communications or outreach role in not for profit/charitable organisation or in the private sector.
- Third level qualification or equivalent in community development or similar or in communications.
- Flexibility, with a willingness to travel and work outside normal office hours – some of the work associated with this role will take place in the evenings, and occasionally weekends.
- Excellent people/interpersonal skills.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Strong presentation skills.
- Computer/IT literate including proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 including Word, PowerPoint; Salesforce or similar CRM package.
- Full clean driving licence and use of own car.
Desirable criteria
- Commitment to the development of volunteering in Laois.
- Experience of the community and voluntary sector including issues relating to volunteering in Ireland.
- First-hand experience of being a volunteer.
Core Competencies
Essential
- Communicates effectively (through all modes of communication, and at all levels, both internal and external to the organisation)
- Interpersonal skills
- Person-centred approach.
- Drive (self-motivated) and Commitment (to achieving the aims and objectives of Laois Volunteer Centre in line with its work plan, ethos and policies).
- A collaborative (constructive and progressive attitude to working as part of the staff team and ability to develop partnerships with the wider community).
Hours of Work: 20 hours per week, permanent (subject to the continuance of funding)
Six-month probationary period applies.
For further information, please contact the Manager BY EMAIL ONLY on info@volunteerlaois.ie. This post is funded by The Department of Community and Rural Development.
If you would like to advertise a job vacancy, get in touch with LaoisToday by calling 057 8670722, 085 7180700 or emailing info@laoistoday.ie
SEE ALSO – Check out the dedicated jobs section on LaoisToday
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