Skip to main content
Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation
Role Descriptions
1 minute read

Writing a Role Description

Meeting National Standards and Strategy Seal Meeting National Standards and Strategy What's this?

Introduction

Role descriptions play a crucial part in the recruitment and management of volunteers. They provide a clear outline of what is expected from a volunteer, detailing tasks, the time commitment required, and the location of the volunteering activity. This clarity helps in managing expectations and ensuring that volunteers are well-suited for their roles.

Benefits for Volunteer Involving Organisations

For volunteer organisations, these descriptions are invaluable. They align with the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement, ensuring that all practices meet high-quality benchmarks. This alignment not only enhances the management process but also boosts the effectiveness of volunteer involvement.

Advantages for Volunteer Management Practitioners

Volunteers benefit significantly from clear role descriptions. They receive detailed information on the role, including the outcomes and goals, necessary training, background checks, qualifications needed, and the benefits of the role. This comprehensive approach ensures that volunteers are fully informed and can engage in roles that match their skills and interests.

Summary

In summary, role descriptions are essential tools for both volunteer organisations and the volunteers themselves. They streamline the recruitment process, improve volunteer management, and ensure a rewarding experience for all parties involved.

Downloads and sources

More about the author

Volunteering Australia is the national peak body for volunteering, working to advance volunteering in the Australian community. Their vision is to promote strong, connected communities through volunteering, and their mission is to lead, strengthen, promote and celebrate volunteering in Australia.

Contribute to the Gateway

Leave feedback

Was this resource useful?

Make a Suggestion

If you find a great resource that isn't in the directory or want to provide feedback on the Volunteering Gateway, drop us a line!

More like this

Research and Reports

Evidence insights: volunteering and mental health

A summary of research insights on the effects of volunteering on mental health, drawing on Australian and international studies.
1 minute read
Volunteering Australia
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Research and Reports

Capital, Inequality and Volunteering

The research investigates how factors like income, education, and access to resources (economic, cultural, and social) influence who volunteers in Scandanavia. It suggests that volunteering is more common among people with greater resources.
1 minute read
Ivar Eimhjellen
General
Resources

Volunteer Training

This guide highlights the importance of volunteer training for skill development, safety, and volunteer satisfaction. It offers tips for creating and delivering training programs.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering ACT, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, The Knowledge Base
Better Impact
Tech

Better Impact

Better Impact offers a comprehensive software solution for volunteer program management, to simplify administrative tasks and enhance volunteer engagement across every stage of the volunteer lifecycle.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Social media Donations
SEEK Volunteer
Tech

SEEK Volunteer

SEEK Volunteer helps connect people to volunteering opportunities that enrich their communities, lives and careers.
Recruitment
Be Collective
Tech

Be Collective

A volunteer management & community engagement platform. Be Collective is all about empowering volunteering and the organisations supporting volunteering to build stronger, more sustainable networks for doing good.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management Donations
scheduled

The Role of Volunteer Management

Strengthen your volunteer management practice by exploring the key roles and responsibilities of volunteer leaders. Gain practical strategies to improve recruitment, engagement, inclusion, wellbeing and retention.
VolunteeringWA
–
Free
scheduled

Bridge to Volunteering - An introduction to volunteering

Learn about volunteering including the benefits of volunteering, rights and responsibilities, and how to get involved in your community.
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Free
scheduled

Volunteer Recognition

Join this free online workshop to explore practical ways to recognise and celebrate volunteers. Learn about the Volunteer Involvement Cycle, develop a volunteer recognition plan, access useful resources, and approaches to volunteer appreciation.
Volunteering SA&NT
–
Free