People, Culture & Volunteer Support Officer
Reports to:Senior People & Culture Officer
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location:Montgomery House, Belfast BT1 4NX
Campaign Service/Cause:People & Culture
Remuneration: £29,604 – £31,872
Overall Purpose of Post
The People, Culture & Volunteer Support Officer will provide high-quality administrative support across the People & Culture function and volunteer programme.
The postholder will support the employee lifecycle from recruitment through to onboarding, training and development, and leaving employment, while also assisting with payroll administration and maintaining employee records.
The role will support volunteer engagement across the organisation, working collaboratively with Retail, Services, Fundraising and Corporate Services teams to assist with the recruitment, induction, support and recognition of volunteers.
The postholder will be a culture champion for the organisation, playing a pivotal role in fostering a positive, inclusive, and engaging workplace environment. Under the oversight and guidance of the Senior People and Culture Officer, they will organise and deliver a calendar of staff events that promote employee connectivity, and wellbeing.
This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual seeking to develop a career in People & Culture, and who is passionate about driving a connected workplace. Whilst previous experience in People & Culture or volunteer management is desirable, we welcome applicants with transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a commitment to supporting both employees and volunteers.
Key Responsibilities
People & Culture Administration & Support
- Provide administrative support to the Senior People & Culture Officer and wider People & Culture function
- Support the full employee lifecycle including recruitment, onboarding, induction, contractual changes and offboarding processes
- Assist with the preparation of contracts, offer letters and other employment-related correspondence
- Support recruitment campaigns, interview scheduling and candidate communications
- Ensure all pre-employment checks are completed and recorded, including references, right to work documentation and Access NI checks where required
- Maintain accurate employee records and ensure People & Culture systems and personnel files are kept up to date
- Support the administration and implementation of organisational policies and procedures
- Respond to routine employee queries and direct more complex matters as appropriate
- Assist with the co-ordination of training and development activities and maintain training records
- Organise the calendar of staff social and wellbeing events including invitations, catering, event materials and event space setup, whilst liaising regularly with line management to ensure alignment, share progress updates and secure for event plans and expenditures
- Assist with the preparation of People & Culture reports and workforce information.
Payroll Support
- Assistwith the monthly payroll process by ensuring all employee changes are communicated accurately and within agreed timescales
- Maintainrecords relating to annual leave, sickness absence, family leave and employee benefits
- Support payroll checking processes and maintain payroll-related records
- Respond to routine payroll-related queries from employees and managers
- Work closely with the Finance Team to support payroll administration.
Volunteer Support and Engagement
- Support volunteer recruitment activity across Retail, Services, Fundraising and Corporate Services
- Carry out volunteer onboarding processes including applications, screening, AccessNI checks, references, induction and training arrangements
- Maintain accurate volunteer records and databases
- Issue volunteer communications and organise engagement activities, and events including training sessions and volunteer recognition and appreciation initiatives
- Support teams in matching volunteers to suitable opportunities
- Gather volunteer feedback and contribute to continuous improvement of the volunteer experience
- Promote an inclusive and positive culture that values volunteering throughout the organisation
- Counter signatory for AccessNI purposes.
Data and Information Management
- Maintain accurate employee and volunteer records in organisational systems
- Ensure compliance with GDPR and organisational data management requirements
- Produce routine reports and management information as required
- Support the collection and analysis of employee and volunteer data.
External Relationships
- Build positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, managers and external stakeholders
- Liaise with recruitment partners, training providers and other organisations as required
- Represent the organisation professionally at meetings and events where appropriate.
General
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across all departments
- Promote and uphold the values, aims and of the organisation
- Participate in training and continuing professional development
- Work flexibly to meet the needs of the organisation
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role as by the Senior People & Culture Officer or Director of Finance & Corporate Affairs.
This Job Description is not exhaustive. It merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the changing requirements of the charity at any time after discussion with the post holder.
Person Specification
The below specification shows the essential skills, abilities, knowledge and/or qualifications required to be able to carry out the duties of this post. Therefore, please address in a covering letter, each criterion listed in the specification, drawing upon all of your experience, whether at work of on a voluntary basis.
Essential Criteria
Experience
- Experience in an administrative, customer service, office support, volunteer support or similar role
- Experience of maintaining accurate records
- Experience of dealing with a wide range of people, both internally and externally
Qualifications
- GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above
Skills & Knowledge
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines
- Good IT skills including Microsoft Office applications
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Personal Qualities
- Positive and professional approach
- Strong customer service ethos
- Adaptable with a willingness to learn
- Commitment to equality, and inclusion
- Commitment to organisational values
Other
- Ability to work flexibly when required
Desirable Criteria
Experience
- Experience in People & Culture, recruitment, payroll or volunteer management
- Experience using HR systems, payroll or volunteer databases
- Experience of organising staff or volunteer events
- Experience producing reports and analysing information
- Experience with AccessNI checks
- Experience within the charity, voluntary or community sector
Qualifications
- Qualification in Business Administration, Human Resources, Customer or related discipline
- CIPD qualification or willingness to work towards one
Skills & Knowledge
- Basic knowledge of HR best practices and UK employment legislation
Personal Qualities
- Desire to develop a career in People & Culture
Other
- Full current driving licence and access to transport for carrying out the duties of the role
Additional Information
Terms and Conditions of Employment
- Successful applicants must provide proof of their right to work in the UK. (This will be evidenced in the first instance by being in possession of a British or Irish passport or a valid UK Work Permit).
- As the postholder will be responsible for the processing of Enhanced AccessNI checks, AccessNI will perform an Enhanced check as part of the vetting process to add the postholder as a countersignatory for our registered body. Applicants who have a criminal record will be treated fairly and not discriminated automatically because of a conviction or other information revealed. Applicants with criminal records will be reviewed in line with Cancer Focus Northern Irelands policy on the recruitment of Ex-offenders.
- Cancer Focus Northern Ireland has a written policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure information.
- Satisfactory reference checks.
- 6 months probationary period.
- Evidence of relevant academic and professional qualifications.
- Evidence of appropriate vehicle documentation (i.e. driving licence and insurance cover) must be provided where the role necessitates travel on company business in own vehicle.
Benefits
- Flexible working policy
- 25 days Annual Leave, plus 12 statutory days (pro rata for those working less than 35 hrs per week)
- 2 additional days of annual leave after 5 years service and a further 3 days after 10 years service
- Enhanced Maternity / Adoption Pay
- Enhanced Occupational Sick Pay Scheme
- Contributory Pension Scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Mileage Allowance at the prevailing HMRC rate
- Life Assurance
- Healthcare Plan
Disability
Cancer Focus NI is an Equal Opportunities Employer and all applications are dealt with in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act. A person is disabled if they have, or have had, a physical or mental impairment which has, or has had, a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day to day activities.
If you consider yourself to have a disability relevant to the position for which you are applying, please contact us so that we can process your application fairly, make any specific arrangements for your interview, and make any necessary reasonable adjustments or adaptations, or provide any aids to assist you in completing the duties of the post if appointed.
Equal Opportunities
Cancer Focus NI is an Equal Opportunities Employer and all applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.
Application Process
The closing date/time for submission of CV and cover letter is 5pm, 9th October 2026.
Interviews: w/c 19th October 2026.
We are often unable to offer alternative interview dates.
If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV and cover letter before this date/time to: or, mailed to:
Human Resources, Cancer Focus NI, 6th Floor Montgomery House, 29-33 Montgomery Street, Belfast BT1 4NX
We cannot accept applications received after the closing date/time.
Guidance Notes on Applying for our role
Please ensure your CV is up-to-date and accurate. Cancer Focus NI will not make assumptions from the title of your post(s) or the nature of any employing organisation(s) as to your skills and experience gained.
- If you do not provide sufficient detail, including the appropriate dates needed to meet any eligibility criteria, your application may be rejected.
- ONLY the details provided by you in your CV and cover letter will be used for determining your eligibility for the post/shortlisting purposes.
Skills:Administration HR Administration Office Support Volunteer Support Record Keeping Volunteer Engagement Events
Benefits:Flexible Working Policy Pension Life Assurance 25 days annual leave, plus 12 statutory days Healthcare Plan Cycle Scheme
WHJS1_NI
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