Main purpose and scope of the job:
Circus Eruption is the first integrated youth circus in the UK, and was founded in 1991 with the aim of providing a safe and supportive space for young people of all abilities to become empowered and inspired, and challenge their limits through our circus workshops.
The postholder will support, coordinate, monitor and recruit volunteers who participate in the activities of Circus Eruption. These include our youth circus projects (Junior Circus and Youth Circus, and yearly residential and parades), ‘Bubble Circus’ (currently fortnightly, for children and their adults) and projects relating to our building (gardening group, DIY/building volunteers, and volunteers for new regular drop-in events).
The post also includes maintaining Circus Eruption’s Investing in Volunteers award (IiV; https://wcva.cymru/investinginvolunteers).
The post is 25 hours per week, remuneration pro rata 27,400 (actual £18,200). 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata). Core hours include Tuesday 2-10; other hours and occasional evening and weekend work by mutual arrangement. This post is funded until 31st March 2025.
How to apply: Contact Karen Chalk on contact@circuseruption.co.uk for an application pack which includes an application form, guidance on filling it in, and this job description/person spec
The closing date for applications is Thursday 7th December at midday. Applications submitted after this time will not be considered. Interviews will take place on Wednesday 13th December. This post is funded by Welsh Government through Volunteering Wales Grant, which is managed and distributed by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action.
Aims
1. To maintain effective and appropriate recruitment and induction procedures for new volunteers and develop these procedures as appropriate
2. Keep appropriate records and statistics of all volunteers with Circus Eruption, and to store all data safely in line with GDPR requirements.
3. To identify and coordinate effective and appropriate training for volunteers
4. To provide ongoing support for volunteers
5. Participate in quarterly supervision and attain targets as agreed in supervision
6. To work within the aims and objectives of the employing organisation, Circus Eruption including sustaining our responsibilities in line with our Investing in Volunteers award.
7. To work within legal requirements and specifications including Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety Legislation and Safeguarding.
Tasks
Volunteer Recruitment
Publicise the voluntary roles and develop appropriate volunteer recruitment strategies
Work with volunteers and Board of Trustees
Maintain and develop the current induction period for volunteers, including meeting, registering and supporting new volunteers
Obtaining references for volunteers and carrying out DBS checks for the organisation and keeping records, in line with our procedures.
Promote Equality and Diversity of Circus, including diversity of volunteers.
Volunteer Support
Support and supervise volunteers
Provide volunteers with relevant information and handbook, concerning volunteering with Circus Eruption and upcoming events
Get to know volunteers and their needs; help them develop individual volunteering skills
Good communication with volunteers via email, social media and text (on Circus Eruption laptop and phone - provided).
Organise transport when necessary
Communicate volunteer roles and responsibilities clearly
Organise volunteers to support/run activities during circus workshops
Liaise with volunteers in planning and allocating roles, and ensure appropriate adult support and space for activities
Ensure volunteers understand roles and responsibilities for activities outside of Circus Eruption, such as the annual residential and parades.
Consult with volunteers and implement suggestions and feedback
Organise optional informal/ social opportunities for volunteers
Share relevant Circus Eruption documents such as risk assessments with volunteers
Training
Develop and coordinate internal training, and organise external training, in topics relevant to volunteering with Circus Eruption
General
Follow Policy and Practice guidelines
Regular attendance at Circus Eruption projects
Working collaboratively as part of the wider team
Attend and participate in team meetings, and represent volunteers at meetings
Chairing Volunteer debrief meetings after workshop sessions
Recording debrief meetings and identifying and acting upon issues arising
Undergoing any relevant training
Maintaining and increasing an awareness of good practice in volunteering throughout the organisation
Carrying out any such reasonable duties as may be required by the Trustees of Circus Eruption
Attending Trustee meetings or provide a written report – time dependent
Attending networking events to promote volunteering opportunities with Circus Eruption - time dependent
Supporting volunteers engaged in specific fundraising events – time dependent
Person Specification
Skills and abilities – Essential
Understand how to recruit, train and support volunteers (this can be through experience with any kinds of teams)
Ability to engage (and represent Circus Eruption to) volunteers
Ability to understand, respect and value the views of children and young people
Knowledge of safeguarding
Good communication skills
Good organisational and administrative skills
Basic computer skills e.g Office 365, emails, Excel
Personal Qualities - Essential
Ability to work as a member of a team
Ability to work on own initiative and make decisions
Ability to monitor and evaluate personal performance, and the performance of volunteers
Ability to be flexible and adaptable
A commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice
A commitment to inclusion and participation
Open-minded and tolerant
Willingness to undertake training
A commitment to the role, be motivated, organised and approachable
Energy, enthusiasm, sense of fun, and a willingness to try circus skills
Like working with young people
Understand resilience and ability to role model this with young people
Qualifications / training - Desirable
First Aid at Work Qualification
Child Protection/Safeguarding Training
Qualification in youth work / teaching / social work / community work/ volunteer management training.
Circus skills and other performance skills
Understanding of the social model of disability
Experience (can be either in a paid or unpaid setting, formal or informal)
Essential
Knowledge/understanding of inclusion
An awareness of safeguarding issues and how to ensure good practice
Experience in managing or coordinating projects or events, and of organising people/a group/team.
Experience in administration and record keeping, and/or reporting
Experience of working with children and young people
Desirable
Experience of recruiting and / or supporting volunteers
Experience of inclusive and participative work
Experience of project development
Personal or professional experience of working with vulnerable people
Experience with working with the public, and knowledge of how to build relationships with people.
Experience of working with community /third sector organisations
Experience of monitoring and evaluating performance
Other
Essential
Ability to work flexible hours (this can be recovered through time off in lieu)
Desirable
Driving license and access to a car
Ability to speak Welsh
Appointment will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and reference checks.
TO APPLY: Contact Karen Chalk on contact@circuseruption.co.uk for an application form.
Deadline for applications is at midday on Thursday, December 7th.