idealist.org

1. Background

Green Alliance is a leading UK environmental charity that focuses on promoting environmental policy issues to senior decision-makers and setting the future environmental policy agenda. Based in central London, it has strong relationships with senior government officials and business leaders.

Green Alliance currently employs nine full-time and four part-time paid members of staff, in addition to which volunteers are regarded as key members of the group. You will be able to participate in staff meetings, have the opportunity to attend Green Alliance events, and have access to all Green Alliance’s publications and its library. This post is ideally suited to recent graduates, gap-year students, those returning to work after a career break or looking to enter the charity sector.

2. Purpose

To provide administrative support to the office manager. You will report directly to the office manager but on occasion may be asked to assist other staff. Volunteering in this role offers the opportunity to gain an understanding of the work of a small charity in the environmental sector.

3. Duties and responsibilities

This voluntary role includes the following tasks (taking account of experience and providing training as necessary):

· General administration: supporting the office manager by undertaking a variety of tasks such as making travel arrangements and preparing papers for meetings.
· Database: helping to maintain the accuracy of the contacts database.
· Office environment and supplies: sourcing and ordering stock; keeping storage areas organised; maintaining a neat and welcoming environment; ideas and enthusiasm for projects such re-organising the display of publications; welcoming guests.
· Recycling: booking collections of recycling and updating our internal information on recycling.
· Telephone: Answering the telephone as first point of contact; dealing with enquiries or redirecting them to relevant staff.
· Post: Dealing with incoming and outgoing post according to a rota; updating information on post and franking.
· Email: Opening the general-address emails on certain days according to a rota and actioning, replying or forwarding as necessary; updating internal distribution lists.
· Media monitoring: Searching the internet for relevant news articles on certain mornings according to a rota.

4. Person profile

Computer literate (able to use Word and Excel minimum); well-organised; attentive to detail; motivated; flexible and willing to help out with a range of tasks as requested; good team-worker; interest in environmental issues. Administrative and/or database experience would be an advantage.



5. Terms and conditions

A total of about 18 hours (3 days a week), times and days may be flexible. Thorough training for this post will be given where necessary, and so we ask for a commitment of six to eight months (preferably eight).

Out of pocket expenses will be paid: travel (greater London radius only) and meals (up to the value of £5 per day).

Green Alliance's office is in Victoria. It is a no smoking office on the first, second and third floors with stairway access only.

Green Alliance welcomes applications to volunteer from all members of the community. We will aim to accommodate special requirements wherever possible, on request.

If you are interested in this post please fill in our application form, which you can find at www.green-alliance.org.uk, and send it to Josie Evetts, Green Alliance, 36 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0RE, email: jevetts@green-alliance.org.uk ; or ring Josie on 0207 630 4517.

Closing date: 12 midday Friday 24 July 2009
Interviews: Tuesday 28, Wednesday 29 July 2009