Communications and Administrative Assistant

ABOUT US

Action Village India (AVI) is a small UK based organisation that since 1989, has been supporting Indian partner organisations who work alongside villagers in some of the most remote parts of rural India so they can improve their lives, livelihoods and resilience. We work towards an India which is just, fair and inclusive, where all people regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, caste, religion can benefit from the country’s economic development and lift themselves out of poverty.

At the heart of our work, are our partnerships; many of which have spanned decades.  Our partner organisations are led by Indians and whether these are large or small organisations, or social movements, all work directly at the grassroots level across rural India – from Bihar and Jharkhand in the North, in Odisha and down to Tamil Nadu in the South. The communities they work with, are some of the poorest in India. They are experts in their fields and work hand in hand with local people to design and inform projects to best serve their local communities and secure rights and social justice for women, men and children.

We accompany our partners for the long term, solidarity with our partners and their communities is at the core of how we work. This means we have developed relationships over the years, based on mutual respect, reciprocity and transparency. We are not governed by donor funding cycles and agendas but are led by our partners and the needs they identify and are committed to shared learning and collaboration. We keep our UK costs to a minimum with core staff and rely on an active and engaged set of Trustees, volunteers and supporters.  Both staff and Trustees of Action Village India have relationships with staff from our partner organisations, created through ongoing dialogue, partner and community visits and participation in learning forums.

Job Purpose:              To keep our office functioning smoothly. This is a multi-faceted role working closely with two other members of staff. This is a great opportunity for an organised self-starter who is interested in getting more experience in international development and the charitable sector.

Reports to:                  Executive Director

Salary:                         £26,000 pro rata

Hours:                         14 hours per week (equivalent to 2 working days) – ideally Wednesday and Thursday.

By agreement there is an option to work an additional 7 events days over the full year. This is related to WOMAD and our other events. This is revised annually based on the agreed workplan.

Location:                     Dalston, London (5 Balls Pond Road, N1 4AX)

Contract:                     24 months fixed contract with potential for permanent contract thereafter

Annual Leave:            25 days (pro rata)

Pension scheme:         Action Village India provides access to an auto-enrolment pension plan through the Pensions Trust for all staff who have completed 6 months of satisfactory service with 3% employer contribution.

In line with legal requirements this post is subject to a Right to Work check.

Accessibility: We would like to offer our sincere regrets that due to the location of our office this position isn’t suitable for anyone with additional accessibility needs. The Action Village India office is on the second floor with a narrow staircase and no lift. 

1          SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

1.1         Office Management

• Oversee the day to day running of the office, including communication with enquirers and supporters.
• Ensure office is compliant with Health and Safety requirements. Ensure compliance with data protection requirements.
• Ensure resources, IT and communication equipment is appropriate and available for staff and volunteer needs.
• Maintain office equipment, stationery and supplies.
• Be the point of contact for the landlord and any other tenants in the shared building.

1.2       Finance (record keeping)

• Managing Petty Cash
• Recording financial expenditure and income from events for the book-keeper
• Recording donations both online and offline
• Maintaining records by keeping the scanned copies of receipts and payments in the designated files both offline and online.
• Any other record keeping work as agreed with the Executive Director.

1.3       Administrative support to Fundraising events

• Administration of sponsorship fundraising events – registration of runners/riders/walkers and their donations.
• Helping set up donation pages for sponsorship online.

1.4       Communications

• Using online tools to design and distribute Action Village India’s e-newsletter.
• Uploading information on Action Village India’s website.
• Maintaining and servicing the donor and members’ database.
• Correspondence with supporters and donors.
• Production and printing of leaflets, advertisements and maintaining records of appeals.
• Distribution of mailings for appeals, newsletters and to our membership – including email groups.
• Managing all donations to the organisation, including CAF, standing orders, Just Giving and other internet sites and correspondence with individual donors.
• Any other administrative and communications work based on the organisations’ requirements and as agreed with the Executive Director.

1.5       Information Technology

• Maintaining IT equipment including updating anti-virus software.
• Maintaining Action Village India’s filing systems (hard copy, soft and back-up files).
• Liaison with Action Village India’s website designer/manager, editing and uploading documents and photos to website.
• Managing email accounts.
• Managing our telephone and broadband accounts.

1.6       AVI Activities

• Management of office-based volunteers as agreed with the Executive Director.
• Booking rooms and other support for Action Village India’s trustees’ meetings, AGM and other events.

2          GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Abide by organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices.
• Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace.
• Keep confidential any personal, private or sensitive information.
• Any other duties commensurate with the accountabilities of the post.

 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EXPERIENCE

At least one year of office management and administration in a small company or organisation within the voluntary or community sector or social impact space.

 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Management of volunteers.
• Liaising with various stakeholders

• Excellent communication skills face to face, on the phone and by email.

• Ability to work alone and use own initiative to develop systems, and deal with practical situations as they arise.

• IT skills and experience at a level that supports email, database, social media and use of basic excel spreadsheets.

• Ability to stay focused and efficient in the face of changing priorities and multiple demands, and to deliver work in a timely manner.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Commitment to the values and ethos of Action Village India.

• Ability to work well in a team with a flexible approach.

• An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.

• A self-starter willing to contribute their own ideas to shape the future of the organisation.

• Willingness to learn and grow in the post.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Interest in and knowledge of international development issues
• Photoshop and Canva experience