Volunteer Development Lead – South West Aberdeenshire Citizens Advice Bureau (SWACAB)

South West Aberdeenshire Citizens Advice Bureau (SWACAB) is seeking a dedicated and resourceful Volunteer Development Lead to join our committed team. Thanks to the generous and sustained support of The Bank of Scotland Foundation, this key role has been made available for a period of up to three years, offering a rare opportunity to shape the future of volunteer engagement across the South West Aberdeenshire region.

SWACAB is a well-established and trusted independent charity that provides free, confidential, and impartial advice to individuals and families across our community. Our network of trained volunteers is the backbone of everything we do — they deliver advice, administer casework support, and help some of the most vulnerable people in our society navigate complex issues ranging from debt and housing to employment rights and benefits entitlements. This role exists to ensure that our volunteer base is not only sustained but strategically developed, well-supported, and empowered to deliver the highest standard of service.

About the Role

As Volunteer Development Lead, you will take full ownership of the volunteer lifecycle at SWACAB — from recruitment and onboarding through to ongoing training, retention, and recognition. You will design and implement a volunteer development strategy that aligns with the Bureau's operational goals and the evolving needs of the communities we serve. This is a leadership position that requires both strategic thinking and hands-on delivery, as you will be working directly with volunteers, staff, and external partners to build a resilient and motivated volunteer workforce.

Key Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and continuously review a comprehensive volunteer recruitment and engagement strategy that targets diverse communities across South West Aberdeenshire, ensuring representation reflects the local population.
Design and manage a structured volunteer onboarding programme, including induction sessions, role-specific training modules, and probationary review processes that meet Citizens Advice Scotland quality standards.
Create and maintain a volunteer training and development framework, coordinating both internal workshops and external training opportunities, including courses on benefits advice, debt counselling, housing rights, and digital inclusion.
Conduct regular one-to-one supervision meetings and annual performance reviews for all active volunteers, providing constructive feedback, identifying development needs, and recognising achievements.
Build and manage a volunteer database using systems such as Microsoft Excel, Volunteer Manager, or Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud to track volunteer hours, skills, training completion, and retention metrics, producing quarterly reports for the Bureau Manager and Board of Trustees.
Organise volunteer recognition and retention initiatives, including appreciation events, milestone awards, and feedback surveys to maintain high levels of volunteer satisfaction and reduce turnover.
Liaise with local community organisations, educational institutions, and corporate partners to promote volunteering opportunities and establish referral pipelines that attract a broad and diverse range of candidates.
Ensure all volunteer activities comply with SWACAB's policies on safeguarding, data protection (in line with UK GDPR), equality and diversity, and health and safety, escalating any concerns to the Bureau Manager promptly.
Support the Bureau Manager and Board of Trustees with funding reports and impact assessments related to volunteer contributions, providing evidence of outcomes and social value to current and prospective funders including The Bank of Scotland Foundation.
Stay informed of developments within the Citizens Advice network, attending regional and national forums, and sharing best practices with partner bureaux to continuously improve volunteer engagement approaches.

Work Environment and Culture

SWACAB operates from accessible office locations across South West Aberdeenshire, with some flexibility for hybrid working depending on operational requirements. You will be part of a close-knit, mission-driven team where collaboration, empathy, and integrity are at the heart of everything we do. The organisation values work-life balance and supports continuous professional development. Regular team meetings, peer support sessions, and access to Citizens Advice Scotland's extensive learning resources ensure that you will never feel isolated in this role. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every team member — staff and volunteer alike — feels valued and respected.

Requirements

Essential:

Demonstrable experience in volunteer management, community development, or a similar coordination role within the charitable, public, or third sector.
Strong understanding of the volunteer lifecycle, including recruitment, training, supervision, and retention best practices.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and with varying levels of confidence and experience.
Proven ability to plan, organise, and prioritise workload independently while managing multiple deadlines and competing demands.
Confident user of standard office IT tools including Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook) and experience with database or CRM systems.
Knowledge of safeguarding principles and data protection legislation relevant to the UK voluntary sector.
A commitment to the values and ethos of the Citizens Advice service, including a passion for social justice, equality, and empowering individuals within the community.
Willingness to travel between SWACAB locations across South West Aberdeenshire as required, and occasional flexibility for evening or weekend events.

Desirable:

Experience working within the Citizens Advice network or a similar advice-giving organisation.
Volunteer management qualification such as NCVO Volunteer Management or equivalent.
Experience in monitoring and evaluating volunteer impact, including the use of outcome frameworks and social return on investment (SROI) methodologies.
Knowledge of the key issues affecting communities in rural Aberdeenshire, including access to public services, transport poverty, and digital exclusion.

Technical Skills and Tools

The successful candidate will be expected to work confidently with Microsoft Office 365, Volunteer Manager or similar volunteer management platforms, Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud (or equivalent CRM), Microsoft Teams for remote collaboration, and Canva or similar tools for creating volunteer communications and promotional materials. Familiarity with UK GDPR compliance requirements and Digital Inclusion frameworks is highly advantageous.

Benefits and What We Offer

A fixed-term contract of up to three years, funded by The Bank of Scotland Foundation, providing stability and the opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Competitive salary commensurate with experience, benchmarked against the third sector in Scotland.
Generous annual leave entitlement plus public holidays and a contributory pension scheme.
Access to Citizens Advice Scotland's professional development programme, including accredited training and leadership courses.
Regular supervision, peer support, and a genuinely supportive team culture that prioritises wellbeing.
The opportunity to play a pivotal role in strengthening community resilience and social support networks across South West Aberdeenshire.

Career Growth

This role offers significant scope for professional development and career progression within the third sector. The Volunteer Development Lead will gain strategic leadership experience, develop expertise in volunteer engagement and impact measurement, and build a strong network of contacts across the Citizens Advice Scotland network and the wider voluntary sector in Scotland. For ambitious candidates, this position can serve as a stepping stone to senior operational management, strategic consultancy, or policy development roles within the advice and advocacy sector.

How to Apply and Next Steps

To apply, please visit swacab.org.uk where you will find the full role description, person specification, and application form. The closing date for applications is 20th January 2026. Early applications are encouraged, as we reserve the right to close the vacancy should a sufficient number of suitable applications be received before the deadline. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an informal discussion and formal interview, which may include a practical exercise related to volunteer scenario planning. If you would like an informal conversation about the role before applying, please do not hesitate to reach out through our website. We look forward to hearing from you.