Volunteer Committee Secretary

Could you provide administrative support for the SSAFA committee on a military base? You need basic I.T and 
administration skills, the ability to get on with people and good written and spoken English. If so, we’d love to hear 
from you!

What is a Committee Secretary?
There are SSAFA committees on many military bases around the UK and overseas. Each one has a secretary to 
makes sure that meetings are organised, volunteer information is up to date and decisions are recorded. This is a 
key role involving administration and communicating with people. 

Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community for more than 130 years. In recognition of their service to the 
Nation we aim to provide financial, practical and emotional support when it’s needed most. To do this we need 
local volunteers who can ensure the community know about SSAFA and keep things running smoothly behind the 
scenes.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?
This role is about communication and administration. Many volunteers can do this from home or their place of 
work. The role would suit someone looking to offer a regular time commitment. You would also need to organise 
and attend a number of regular meetings each year. This role is an Office Bearer with voting rights.

What would you be doing?
• Working with the committee to agree an annual plan of activity based on local need
• Providing administration for at least four meetings per year
• Monitoring volunteer numbers against the demand for support and recruit new volunteers as needed
• With the support of the Learning and Development and Volunteer Experience Teams at Central Office,
ensuring all volunteers have completed the training and mandatory tasks required for their roles.
• Building positive relationships with regional and central office staff and other providers represented on base
• Providing reports to the local SSAFA branch and to SSAFA’s Central Office
• Maintaining accurate and up to date volunteer records, reporting any changes to Central Office 
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential beneficiary, 
volunteer or fundraiser
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including adhering to our policies such as the 
volunteering policy and data protection policy

What can you gain from this volunteering role?
• Give back to the local military community 
• Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity on the base
• Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of 
stress and depression!

What about training and support?
• Local induction and support, provided by the Committee Chair
• Online training modules in safeguarding and GDPR, so you are up to date on how to keep beneficiaries, their 
families and personal information safe
• Access to a range of e-learning courses as well as local opportunities to keep your training up to date.
• Volunteer Development Manager (per region)
• Support from the Welfare Team and Volunteer Experience Team based at SSAFA Central Office
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses

What are we looking for?
• Friendly and approachable people with some experience of coordinating people and admin
• Good written and spoken English
• Good level of IT skills e.g. ability to use email and Excel –you will receive your own SSAFA email address
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach to beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA 
colleagues
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role for example, prompt reporting of safeguarding concerns.
• Reliable attitude, contact volunteers promptly, keep appointments etc.
• Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies
• Access to travel by public transport or a car to travel to meetings, events etc.
• Ability to provide two references: from former employers or other people that know you well (other than 
relatives)

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and 
faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities to 
have the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of 
volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. 
Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe 
experience

Is a criminal record check required? No