Charity officer
The NCYPE is the leading national charity providing specialist services for children and young people with epilepsy and related neurological conditions. We provide high quality information, training and support on childhood epilepsy for professionals, parents and young people across the UK. Find out more about the NCYPE.
A charity officer is someone who works for or is a trustee of a charitable organisation. This title can refer to personnel in several roles within a charity. Roles vary considerably depending on the size, aim and type of organisation. In larger organisations the role may focus on a specific area, such as project management, business development, finance, marketing, public relations, fundraising or volunteer management. In smaller charities the charity officer may undertake multiple tasks. Typical tasks range from applying for grants to managing volunteers to providing advice and information.
Typical work activities vary according to the organisation and the individual role. A charity officer in a global charity will have a different experience from a charity officer in a small, local charity. Due to limited funds and personnel, staff in small charities carry out several functions within a small team.
Despite diversity in roles, there are typical tasks that a charity officer undertakes, including:
The NCYPE is the leading national charity providing specialist services for children and young people with epilepsy and related neurological conditions. We provide high quality information, training and support on childhood epilepsy for professionals, parents and young people across the UK. Find out more about the NCYPE.
The NCYPE is the leading national charity providing specialist services for children and young people with epilepsy and related neurological conditions. We provide high quality information, training and support on childhood epilepsy for professionals, parents and young people across the UK. Find out more about the NCYPE.
Entry requirements differ according to the type of the organisation. Some organisations may demand relevant qualifications and/or considerable work experience whereas others simply want evidence of genuine passion, commitment and relevant skills. Whilst this area of work is open to all graduates and diplomates, a degree, HND or foundation degree in the following subjects may increase your chances:
Several UK higher education institutions offer qualifications focusing on the voluntary/charity sector. Postgraduate qualifications are becoming desirable as the sector grows in popularity with graduates, but this is rarely essential unless a great deal of research is involved in the position.
Entry without a degree is possible. Employers are interested in a candidate’s voluntary experience, personal qualities, commitment and knowledge of the organisation’s work.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
Working in a charity is a popular career choice and is, therefore, competitive. Having voluntary experience is an advantage as it shows a potential employer your commitment, initiative and understanding of the sector and individual charities. It shows that you are developing relevant skills and are not solely motivated by money. Work shadowing, setting up a community group or student society, or organising fundraising activities will impress employers and give you something extra to discuss at interview.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
The NCYPE is the leading national charity providing specialist services for children and young people with epilepsy and related neurological conditions. We provide high quality information, training and support on childhood epilepsy for professionals, parents and young people across the UK. Find out more about the NCYPE.
Charity officers gain most of their training on the job. Gaining membership of professional associations, registering with local/regional/national networks, attending training courses and conferences as well as networking with people in similar roles from other organisations are excellent ways to keep up to date with developments in the sector. Some employers encourage staff to embark upon a relevant professional qualification by funding study and/or allowing study leave.
Some organisations specialise in training courses for voluntary/charity sector workers. These range from one or two-day programmes to courses consisting of several modules, available at centres throughout the country and by distance learning through the following providers:
Some higher education institutions offer qualifications related to the voluntary/charity sector and community engagement, which are often flexible part-time study and distance-learning programmes.
The NCYPE is the leading national charity providing specialist services for children and young people with epilepsy and related neurological conditions. We provide high quality information, training and support on childhood epilepsy for professionals, parents and young people across the UK. Find out more about the NCYPE.
Opportunities for career development vary depending on the size of the organisation and the budget available for staff training and development, the aims of the organisation and the determination, ability and willingness of the individual to learn. Since charities all depend on income generation, it is helpful for many promoted posts to have had some experience in fundraising.
In terms of career development, there are advantages and disadvantages of working for different sizes of organisation and sectors. In the larger voluntary/charity sector organisations, bigger budgets and larger remits often mean more travel, professional qualification opportunities and training prospects. There is usually a structured route of promotion. Roles within these organisations are relatively defined, with specific people or departments undertaking specific tasks. Individuals may therefore develop a very specific skill set.
Although smaller voluntary/charity sector organisations often lack the same level of structure and resources, a charity officer there is exposed to various aspects of the organisation’s work, undertakes multiple roles and can develop a wide range of skills and experience. This may bring the possibility of gaining promotion more quickly. However, limited resources and short-term contracts may mean a move to a different organisation is necessary. In some cases this may mean relocation.
The NCYPE is the leading national charity providing specialist services for children and young people with epilepsy and related neurological conditions. We provide high quality information, training and support on childhood epilepsy for professionals, parents and young people across the UK. Find out more about the NCYPE.
Aside from philanthropic organisations, the charity sector includes housing associations, trade unions, educational institutions and even think tanks. Charity organisations are, however, the largest employers of charity officers. This includes local, regional, national and international charities, ranging from small-scale groups consisting of a few paid staff and volunteers to large, prestigious, international charities with thousands of employees and volunteers.
The government’s Big Society policy aims to give voluntary and community organisations a greater role in public services so that citizens can achieve change in their local area. This may give rise to more small and local charities, but they are unlikely to be sufficiently well funded to employ many staff.
In recent years, opportunities within this sector have increased in areas such as social/community work, housing, disability, diversity-related issues and environmental campaigns.
Increasingly, large and multinational commercial companies are fulfilling their corporate social responsibility by having at least one designated person to liaise with local charities and community groups, advise on internal fundraising activities and staff volunteering, and deal with media enquiries on community-focused initiatives.
As more sectors are encouraged to address the significance of sustainable communities and the need to give something back to the community, the number of charity officer positions may increase.
Some charities advertise jobs in their own newsletters and on their own websites.
Temporary and permanent charity positions are often advertised through charity recruitment agencies such as Charity People , whilst specialist roles are also found in professional journals. Networking is also helpful in finding out where opportunities exist. Voluntary sector exhibitions and recruitment fairs are a useful way of finding out about organisations and available positions. Fairs include People Unlimited’s Forum 3 event in London and The Gathering , Scotland’s voluntary sector fair in Edinburgh.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
The NCYPE is the leading national charity providing specialist services for children and young people with epilepsy and related neurological conditions. We provide high quality information, training and support on childhood epilepsy for professionals, parents and young people across the UK. Find out more about the NCYPE.
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