Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for someone to lead our Volunteer Services team here at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. Leading a small substantive team, and over 300 un-paid volunteers, this role holder must be person-centred in their approach, understanding how to build relationships well with those who give their time freely to supporting our staff and patients.
This role holder will also play a pivotal role in further developing the work of our volunteers across both hospital and community locations, developing our current work in line with current and future Trust priorities.
STAFF CAR PARKING
Staff Car Parking on the West Suffolk Hospital Site is eligible for individuals working outside of the core hours, 07:00 - 18:30.
For individuals working within the core hours, the Trust offers parking off site at the Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club, which is serviced by a regular shuttle bus to and from the Hospital. Details of the bus timetable can be found in the on-line starter pack on the West Suffolk Hospital website.
This parking restriction does not apply if an individual is required to work on a weekend or if they are required to complete "on call" duties within their role.
The closing date for this vacancy may change if we receive a strong response. Please ensure that you apply for any post you are interested in as soon as possible.
Main duties of the job
You will have responsibility for leading the development of the service to meet the changing health and care needs of our patients, including managing our expanding team of volunteers.
You will need to be person-centred, have excellent interpersonal and relational skills, and have the ability to build and maintain strong and nurturing relationships with both substantive staff and volunteers, demonstrating clearly the value they bring.
You should bring with you experience of leading a team where differing perspectives need to be understood, appreciated and aligned in order for change to embedded positively. With many competing priorities and areas of potential focus, you will need to know how to differentiate the urgent and important, balancing the requirement to establish long-term foundations for sustainable success as well as responding to immediate needs.
In addition, you will also need to bring with you experience of budget management, the ability to secure additional income sources, and clarity around governance, risk management and legislative compliance in a volunteer services environment.
Working in close partnership with clinical and operational staff, as well as those in the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector, this role holder will be responsible for enabling the delivery of high quality and impactful services that benefit primarily patients, but also staff.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE:
The Volunteer Services Lead has overarching responsibility for the strategic and operational leadership of Volunteer Services across West Suffolk Foundation Trust, working extensively with external partners and internal staff to develop and promote volunteering opportunities. This includes the development, implementation and on-going re-fresh of the Trusts volunteer services strategy, supported by external insight and a robust performance management framework.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead the strategic development of volunteer services
1. Responsible for the design, development, implementation, and review of the Trusts strategic approach to volunteering, working with staff Trust wide, and working directly with external partners across our acute and community settings, including schools and VCFSE organisations.
2. Responsible for scoping future developments for the service, in line with our changing NHS agenda, including consideration of preventative health activities and wellbeing support.
3. Responsible for the development and implementation of volunteering opportunities for students and young people, aligning this with wider Trust and partner activities such as apprenticeships, recruitment, and training opportunities.
4. Responsible for keeping abreast of latest research in order to evaluate, plan and implement new ways of working, including improving resource utilisation, in conjunction with clinical and non-clinical staff.
5. Responsible for developing and maintaining new initiatives, which are designed to help the NHS deliver greater impact through their volunteer services and partnerships with the voluntary sector.
6. Responsible for ensuring volunteer opportunities are compatible with the Trusts' strategic direction and within the limits within which volunteers should work.
7. Responsible for liaising with national and local VCFSE organisations to ensure alignment of offers across our Trust and community settings, dovetailing services where needed, jointly promoting and developing opportunities where appropriate.
8. Responsible for ensuring relevant policies, processes and operating procedures are reviewed and updated in line with latest legislation, research, Trust requirements, and best practice in relation to volunteering services.
9. Responsible for increasing awareness of volunteering services in clinical, non-clinical and community settings to enable the appropriate growth of the service.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
10. Educated to degree or equivalent level in a managerial/supervisory role
Desirable
11. Qualification in Volunteer Management
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
12. Demonstrable experience of leading in the voluntary sector / volunteering at both strategic and operational levels
13. Understanding of the principles of good volunteer management, including detailed experience of working with volunteers or similar
14. Demonstrable experience of leading a small substantive team, as well as an extended substantial team of part-time individuals
15. Understanding of volunteering principles, including experience of developing and maintaining effective staff / volunteer relationships
16. Experience in recruitment and selection procedures
17. Proven track record of strategic planning and operational implementation, in line with organisational priorities
18. Knowledge of relevant legislations and policies relating to volunteering
Desirable
19. Experience of the NHS
20. Substantial experience in a managerial role
21. Ability to instigate policies / procedures in relation to volunteer management
22. Experience of supporting the running of a retail outlet
Skills & Abilities
Essential
23. Excellent interpersonal and relational skills, including the ability to develop and maintain positive and value-building relationships with staff and volunteers
24. Excellent leadership and management skills, including line and performance management of a small substantive team, and a larger 'remote' un-paid volunteer workforce
25. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including appreciation of alignment to differing individual and organisational audiences
26. Excellent listening skills
27. Excellent negotiation and influencing skills
28. High degree of initiative, responsibility and self-motivation and a professional pro-active approach to problem-solving
29. Ability to work effectively under pressure to meet demanding and sometimes conflicting deadlines
30. Effective project management and prioritisation skills
31. Excellent IT and analytical problem-solving skills
32. Budget management skills
Desirable
33. Experience of successful change management
Personal Qualities
Essential
34. People-centred with a strong emphasis on valuing others
35. Commitment to providing high quality person-centred service
36. Highly motivated, with the ability to motivate others positively
37. Ambitious and evidence of good attendance and timekeeping
38. Ability to work under pressure and manage own workload
39. Ability to enhance profile of department
40. Ability to develop service
Desirable
41. Flexible approach to working hours/duties