Branch Team Leader

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats and kittens each year thanks to our dedicated and passionate volunteer groups. We have branches across the UK, all of which help our cats in different ways. Branches take in stray and abandoned cats and ensure they receive the veterinary care and attention they deserve; help raise funds, promote neutering and help spread cat welfare messages. Our branch team leader volunteers lead their local team by supporting and managing volunteers within their group, maintaining communications with both volunteers and employees, and helping promote a positive and professional image of Cats Protection.

You can expect us to

  • Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
  • Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
  • Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
  • Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

A bit more information about this role and the team

Winchester and District Cats Protection is a long-standing branch whose volunteer numbers have dwindled, reducing their activity level. We are rebuilding the team and are looking for an energetic Branch Team Leader to coordinate the branch’s activities, working with existing volunteers and supporting new ones as we expand. Our ideal candidate of course must be a cat lover, but should also have excellent people skills and be able to communicate effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds. Although cat welfare experience is preferable, this is not as important as management skills and the enthusiasm to get stuck into something new. Full training and support will be provided.

What we need from you

You’ll be:

  • Supporting your team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure volunteers are happy and confident
  • Making sure the team observes charity best practice and compliance
  • Collaborating with your Branch Development Manager (BDM) to plan volunteer activity
  • Leading the team to follow Cats Protection policies, procedures and guidelines
  • Monitoring expenditure and helping ensure long term financial stability of the volunteer group
  • Organising and chairing team meetings
  • Acting as an ambassador for Cats Protection


Time expectation

Our branch team leader volunteers usually spend 10 to 15 hours per week in this role, which is flexible however workload is best managed with a few hours each day. There will be times of year when more hours are required, such as towards the end of the financial year, but support and guidance are available.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Skills

  • Supervisory skills - some experience of leadership or management essential
  • Able to motivate, inspire and coordinate a team remotely
  • Enthusiastic, proactive and motivated
  • Good communication skills, able to build a rapport with people from a variety of different backgrounds 
  • Comfortable working with, taking advice from and reporting to remote colleagues across the organisation
  • Sympathetic to cats - although cat welfare experience would be beneficial, it's not essential
  • Some experience or understanding of working to budgets, plans, and centrally-provided policies and procedures
  • Confident using a range of computer systems including Office 365 and various in-house databases
  • Inclusive, supportive and compassionate to the needs of others

Details

  • Accessibility
    We will gladly discuss any accessibility needs and consider requests for adjustments as appropriate.
  • Age restrictions
    Applicants should be 18+ years of age as this is a branch committee role
  • DBS check required
  • Equal Opportunities Policy
    We currently don't have a policy but this is under development, with a significant focus on EDI since 2022 and extensive work done to review every area of the charity in terms of inclusion and accessibility. We have affinity groups for neurodiversity, Pride and chronic illness. The recruiting manager has been trained on managing mental health in the workplace, is neurodivergent, and has extensive experience with mental health and chronic physical health conditions.
  • Expenses reimbursed
    All expenses reinbursed in full (receipts/VAT invoices required)
  • Health and Safety Policy
    We have a whole Health and Safety team, several training modules, and an entire manual for our branches. There are policies and advice on a range of issues, however our general H&S statement is "to provide and maintain working conditions, equipment and systems of work which are safe and healthy for our employees and volunteers and to provide information, training and supervision sufficient to maintain safety. We accept our responsibilities, so far as is reasonably practicable, for the health and safety of other people who may be affected by our activities."
  • Ongoing support
    This volunteer will report to the Area Branch Development Manager who will lead on their induction and provide continued support once they are settled into their role. As a large organisation we have staff who are experts in their subject areas who provide specialist support, as well as specific teams who support our branches, and who oversee volunteering as a whole. Peer support from within the branch or other branch teams is readily available and we have clearly mapped processes for resolving disputes and raising internal complaints
  • Training provided
    Extensive training available. We have both role-specific and optional role-adjacent on-demand learning available to every volunteer. Some aspects of the role are taught through peer learning and other areas are delivered on Teams or in person with the Branch Development Manager or other relevant colleague. Numerous CPD opportunities.
  • Volunteer induction
    The successful candidate will receive a full induction in addition to their training programme which will include meeting colleagues in various departments.
  • Volunteer Policy
    We have a 3-page policy and a selection of other documents. Our volunteering values statement is "We recognise and appreciate the distinct contribution volunteers make to Cats Protection. Through our volunteers, we are able to reach out across the UK to rehome and neuter cats and to educate people on responsible cat ownership. We value their passion for cats, the different perspectives and breadth of experience they bring to the organisation and the distinctive and complementary role they play alongside paid staff. Cats Protection benefits from the skills, experience and enthusiasm of volunteers and we believe that volunteers should be able to gain personal benefits from the experience too. We are committed to managing volunteers in a way that ensures the needs of both the volunteer and the organisation are met. Cats Protection strives to create a diverse and inclusive organisation; we are committed to ensuring equality of access to high-quality volunteer opportunities and equality of treatment of volunteers in all our policies and procedures".
  • Volunteers covered by insurance
    All volunteers covered by our Public and Employer's liability insurance. All charity vehicles are covered by our insurance, however if you drive your own vehicle the insurance is your responsibility
  • Written role description
    Role description available on request but most relevant information provided in advert already

When can I volunteer?

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Afternoon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Evening Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Location

This opportunity can be carried out whilst working from home.

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