Volunteer Support Officer

This role is a community based role and will be field based with travel required. 

Contract: Full time – Permanent

Location: Portlaoise

Working Hours: 35 Hours per week 5 over 7 days.

Salary: €37,000

The Volunteer Support Officer at ALONE plays a vital role in recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers to deliver impactful Befriending and Support services for older people. This position involves building a strong volunteer network through effective onboarding, training, and ongoing guidance, ensuring volunteers feel valued and engaged.

Responsibilities

Aligned with ALONE’s mission and values, the Volunteer Support Officer plays a key role in recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers to deliver Befriending and Support services that enhance the lives of older people.

• Lead the recruitment, training, vetting, and onboarding of volunteers to ensure a strong, well-prepared volunteer network.
• Provide ongoing guidance, communication, and issue resolution to ensure volunteers feel supported and valued.
• Work closely with ALONE’s service team to match trained volunteers with older people in a timely manner.
• Promote ALONE’s Befriending and Support services and identify local events and activities that encourage volunteer and older person participation.
• Implement programmes to enhance volunteer engagement, recognising contributions and fostering a positive volunteer culture.
• Develop local volunteer leadership initiatives and collaborate on organising social events to strengthen community connections.
• Support the ongoing enhancement of ALONE’s volunteer programme, ensuring alignment with best practices and organisational goals.

Essential skills & experience

• Recruitment experience and experience in promoting services, developing partnerships, and fostering community participation a distinct advantage.
• Organisational & Coordination Skills: Proven ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and ensure volunteers are efficiently placed and supported.
• Experienced using CRM systems and digital tools (for volunteer management, reporting, and communication).
• Background in a similar role within the voluntary, charity, or social care sector is desirable.
• Knowledge of Safeguarding & Best Practices: Understanding of volunteer vetting, Garda clearance, and ethical considerations in volunteer management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to engage effectively with stakeholders both internally & externally
• A collaborative team player who fosters strong internal and external relationships.
• Proactive problem-solver, using innovation to improve service delivery and support independent older person and the people we serve.
• Strong time management and organisational skills to prioritise workload and meet KPIs.
• A clean full drivers licence with your own car is essential

Extra Benefits

• Salary €37,000 
• 35 Hour week (core hours 9-5) –Full-time employees can enjoy a 35-hour working week.
• Annual Salary Reviews
• Pension scheme available after 6 months service
• Time Off in Lieu
• Income protection after 2 years service
• Long service awards for employees
• Mileage Policy in place for applicable roles
• Death in Service - after 6 months’ probation successfully completed.
• Travel Saver Schemes
• Sick Pay Scheme -after 6 months’ probation successfully completed.
• Bike to Work Scheme
• HSF Partnership
• Horizontal Transfer Opportunities
• Comprehensive Training & Development
• Bespoke Induction Programmes
• Progression Opportunities
• Further Education Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme -ALONE provides a 24hour support programme for all our Employee’s.
  • GP telephone Advice
  • Virtual Doctor
  • Private Prescription Service
  • 6 structured Counselling/ Emotional Wellbeing Service
  • Legal Helpline

The closing date for applications is Friday, March 27th. 

ALONE is an equal opportunities employer.

#SM