Communications Internship with Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire

Job Description:

Communications Internship Job Description

Payment:            Real Living Wage rate of £12.00 per hour

Contract:             420 hours – between 14 and 17.5 hours per week.

Location:            Blended working between home and VANL’s office and community venues in North Lanarkshire.

Organisation profile: Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) is the first point of contact for all voluntary sector issues in North Lanarkshire. The ‘voluntary sector’ refers to organisations that exist for the good of the community and to promote social, environmental or cultural objectives and whose main purpose is to create social benefit rather than profit. VANL provides advice and guidance to new and existing voluntary sector organisations; volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations and is the voice of the voluntary sector in North Lanarkshire.

Website:  https://www.voluntaryactionnorthlanarkshire.org/

Internship overview

The internship will provide support to VANL’s Communications Team to help with day-to-day communications work, such as social media posts, distribution of group emails and updating VANL’s organisational database. The successful applicant will work closely with VANL’s Communications Officer and will gain skills and experience of VANL’s databases, digital applications, social media and e-bulletins. They will also gain teamworking and planning skills.

Main duties and tasks:

The duties of this role fall into two categories: Information Support and Communications Support.

Information Support

Work with VANL’s Communicatons Officer to:

• Input accurate and timely data on local voluntary sector organisations and services and VANL activities using our organisations’ database.

• Ensure that VANL’s database is kept up to date and in line with internal procedures.

• Support preparation and distribution of surveys.

Communications Support

Work with VANL’s Communications Officer to:

• Update VANL’s website.

• Publicise and distribute VANL e-bulletins.

• Distribute social media and email communications.

Person Specification

Essential skills and experience:

• A good standard of general education.

• Experience of using Microsoft Office packages including Word and Excel, together with knowledge and experience of data input and using Facebook.

• An understanding of the voluntary sector

• Commitment to working in North Lanarkshire to make a positive contribution to residents, communities and the voluntary sector.

• A positive can do attitude with a willingness to reflect, learn and improve.

• An understanding of communications methods and the ability and willingness to develop skills further.

• Good verbal and written communication skills and awareness of how to tailor communications to different audiences / different purposes and the ability to use ICT effectively to fulfil working responsibilities, including specialist software to support information and communication activities.

• Have a clear need for the opportunity, and be able to show how will help you overcome barriers to achieving your career goals. (this is assessed in the sections motivation for applying, skills development, and current employment status.)

• Must define as Deaf or disabled which includes physical, sensory and mental impairments, neurodivergent, learning disabilities, learning difficulties such as dyslexia or long-term health conditions. (You do not need to give details in the supporting statement unless you wish to. If you do, this will not be removed from the application before the shortlisting panel sees it.)

Additional Information

If you would like to discuss this opportunity with the employer prior to submitting your application, please contact: Ryan Young, HR & Operations Manager: ryan.young@vanl.co.uk

Completed applications to be forwarded by 10 a.m. on Monday 21 October to Ellis Moffat by email: interns@inclusionscotland.org