Job Description

About Us

My Black Dog is an online peer to peer charity that supports people who are struggling with their mental health. We are committed to making a positive impact on mental health in the UK as we tackle an epidemic that millions of people in the UK face. As we continue to grow and expand our reach, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Community and People Manager with a background in HR, administration and people supervision and support.

Position Overview

As a people professional, you will develop initiatives across the charity’s volunteer base to ensure a positive and educational programme for volunteer development. You will provide organised and effective onboarding and training processes to engage and retain volunteers, and volunteer leaders and mentors, ensuring they thrive at My Black Dog. You will organise initiatives and volunteer events that foster positive volunteer engagement nationwide. All Volunteers at My Black Dog have lived experience of mental health challenges. Ensuring the wellbeing of volunteers as they deliver our web-chat service to Guests, is an important part of this role. You will work with volunteers on both a collective and individual basis to ensure they feel supported.

 Who are we looking for? 

We are seeking a motivated, experienced and enthusiastic individual who is looking to develop their HR career. You will be a people person, committed to delivering excellent customer service for our guests and be able to work and communicate well with different individuals and internal teams.

You will work collaboratively with the CEO and COO to ensure an excellent, nurturing environment for volunteers and assisting the SMT with general administrative duties.

Responsibilities:

• To be primary contact for all volunteers, providing support and assistance, dealing with all enquiries from start to successful completion, escalating when necessary.
• To manage the process of volunteer recruitment using the charity’s database to manage the volunteer pipeline, from application, to selection and training and retention.
• Develop My Black Dog’s understanding of trauma-informed practice through briefings, training & support to volunteers
• To support volunteer leaders and mentors with training, guidance and structure for their roles through meetings, feedback and group sessions. 
• To implement a high-quality volunteer training programme for regular volunteer roles, including: organisation of a training schedule, facilitation of training and reviewing training processes and facilitation
• To deliver guidance and training to support volunteers
• To manage volunteer and guest enquiries and feedback.
• Ensure volunteers have access to adequate support services and resources during their volunteering.
• Drop into shifts to remain present and interact with volunteers.
• Provide debriefing for all volunteers outside of their shift hours.
• Facilitating regular feedback from volunteers

Administration:

• To support CEO and COO with administration both in relation to the management of volunteers within the organisation and for the Charity’s general administration
• Manage all volunteer paperwork and records
• Arrange staff and volunteer DBS checks
• Arrange meetings and co-ordinate diaries for the Senior Management Team
• Manage all correspondence to volunteers

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven HR knowledge and expertise
• An understanding of, and positive attitude towards, mental and physical health; community and social inclusion; and a strength and assets-based approach to engaging participants
• Confident communication with people at all levels, with a style that is clear, engaging, supportive and collaborative whilst at times of challenge can hold your own.

Required experience

• 3+ years’ experience in a HR role
• Experience in providing psychological safety in a work culture 

Preferred experience

• CIPD qualified

Skills

• Experience in applying a pragmatic approach to providing HR risk-based solutions to difficult issues that arise within challenging situations
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills
• Emotional resilience when dealing with challenging issues