Canal & River Trust
Volunteering Development Coordinator
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About the Trust
We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?
Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.
Join Our Team: Volunteering Development Coordinator (National & Wales)
*** 12 month Fixed term or secondment contract
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
We’re excited to welcome a new Volunteering Development Coordinator to join our National Volunteering Team.
As a member of the National Volunteering Team, you will work with colleagues, volunteers, communities and partner organisations across England and Wales. This is a highly visible role requiring regular travel throughout our waterway network, supporting teams in a diverse range of settings, from vibrant city centres and industrial waterways to rural canals, reservoirs and heritage sites.
The Volunteering Development Coordinator plays a vital role in growing, strengthening and championing volunteering across the Canal & River Trust. Working collaboratively with colleagues from across the charity, you will help create meaningful volunteering opportunities that support our strategic objectives, strengthen communities and connect more people with their local waterways.
Working Hours & Location
This role follows 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern. The vacancy will be offered as a hybrid role and can be based from any Canal & River Trust Hub, combined with some home working.
While there is flexibility to work remotely, the expectation is that you will spend significant time engaging directly with volunteers, colleagues and partners where they are, helping teams identify and develop volunteering opportunities that support local and national priorities. The role has a particular emphasis on developing community-based volunteering, building local partnerships and supporting volunteer growth in areas where strong local presence and relationship-building are critical to success.
This role requires frequent travel and regular on-site presence across communities and waterway locations throughout our Wales network - Llangollen, Montgomery, Monmouthshire & Brecon and Swansea Canals. As part of our national Volunteering Team, you will be expected to travel across Wales on a weekly or fortnightly basis, and for occasional travel to Trust sites and other locations in England (typically once every 1-2 months) to support meetings, events, training and collaborative work. Mileage and car cash allowance payments are provided in line with Trust policies to support the travel requirements of the role
Typical locations and commuting bases may include:
- North Wales: Wrexham, Llangollen, Chirk, Ruabon, Chester and Oswestry.
- Mid Wales: Welshpool, Newtown, Shrewsbury and Hereford.
- South East Wales: Brecon, Abergavenny, Pontypool, Cwmbran, Newport, Monmouth, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff.
- South Wales: Swansea, Neath and Bridgend
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Role Overview
Acting as a trusted advisor, you will provide expert guidance and practical support on all aspects of volunteering, from recruitment and onboarding to engagement, development and recognition. Taking a proactive "seek and find" approach, you will identify opportunities to expand volunteering, enable teams to build their volunteer capacity and help ensure volunteers remain at the heart of what we do.
The role is both internally focused and outward facing. You will build relationships with volunteer centres, community organisations, educational institutions, local authorities and other partners, helping to attract new volunteers and strengthen the Trust's connections with the communities we serve. A strong understanding of community engagement, place-based working and the voluntary sector will be essential.
No two days are the same. You could be developing a new volunteering programme, supporting colleagues to enhance an existing volunteer offer, attending a community event, representing the Trust at a volunteering fair, or working with national teams to improve volunteering practice and create lasting impact across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
We're looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual who is passionate about volunteering and the positive impact it can have on people, communities and the environment.
- Develop, grow and sustain volunteering opportunities across the Canal & River Trust, supporting both operational and strategic objectives.
- Provide advice, guidance and practical support to colleagues, volunteers and teams on all aspects of volunteer management and engagement.
- Identify opportunities to recruit, retain and diversify volunteers, helping the Trust reach and engage new audiences.
- Build productive relationships with community organisations, volunteer centres, educational institutions and other external partners.
- Support teams to create inclusive, rewarding and meaningful volunteering experiences.
- Promote volunteering through outreach activities, events, presentations and networking opportunities.
- Contribute to national volunteering projects, initiatives and subject matter lead groups.
- Support the effective use of volunteering systems, processes and policies to ensure consistency, compliance and best practice across the Trust.
- Monitor and report on volunteering activity, helping to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and growth.
About You
Technical:
- Experience working with volunteers, communities, or stakeholders within the charity, voluntary, community, or public sector.
- Experience delivering volunteer programmes, growing participation, and developing new volunteering opportunities.
- Experience managing projects, budgets, targets, or service plans.
- Understanding of health and safety, governance, and organisational policies.
- Strong IT, reporting, and record-keeping skills.
- Degree, HND, NVQ Level 5, or equivalent qualification in Volunteer Management or a related field (desirable).
- NEBOSH Certificate or equivalent Health & Safety qualification (desirable).
- Welsh language skills (desirable).
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General:
- Strong community engagement, networking, relationship-building, and influencing skills.
- Ability to lead, motivate, and support volunteers and teams to achieve shared goals.
- Excellent communication, presentation, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
- Confidence engaging with diverse communities and promoting inclusive, accessible opportunities.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and perform well under pressure.
- Willingness to travel across Wales and work flexibly to meet operational needs.
- Passion for volunteering and community engagement, with a commitment to continuous improvement and delivering positive outcomes.
What We Offer
In addition to your annual base salary of £34,771, we also offer a car cash allowance (£390 per month), a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1.
Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits
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Our values
We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.
We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.
All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis.
We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.
At Canal & River Trust, we are committed to fair, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices. As part of our hiring process, we may use AI to analyse applications and support us work more efficiently. However, all hiring decisions – without exception - are made by our hiring managers.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us
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