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job vacancies in administration The charity sector is also known as the voluntary sector, the voluntary and community sector (VCS) and the third sector and it exists between the private and public sectors. The charity industry continues to grow significantly; there has been a 26% increase in the amount of employees over the last decade. It also has a third of degree holders which is a higher proportion than both the public and the private sectors. The charity sector’s income is just under £28billion and just over a third of this comes from statutory sources. (The UK Voluntary Sector Almanac, National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)) There have been a number of recent changes affecting the voluntary area, including new legislation in the form of the Charities Act 2006 and a new government department called the Office of the Third Sector (OTS), which gives recognition to the important role that the charity sector plays in society and the economy. Ads by Google What kind of work can I do?- Service delivery roles - these roles are at the interface between the organisation’s mission and the people who access the service, for example, social work, counselling, youth work, community work.
- Fundraising.
- Volunteer management and co-ordination.
- Charity management and administration.
- Policy and research.
- Marketing, communications and campaigning - organisations rely on getting their message across using different methods such as major public events and through the media.
- Human resources.
- Infrastructure roles - there is considerable infrastructure set up to support and regulate this sector, for example, the Charity Commission, the Office of the Third Sector and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).
What’s it like working in this sector?- Individuals working in this sector are often highly committed to their employer and the organisation’s cause. Working in this sector seems to inspire high levels of motivation and pride. As a sector, it can be one of the most progressive and fulfilling workplaces, offering opportunities for part-time employment, flexibility, work-life balance and volunteering.
- Average earnings in the voluntary sector increased by 3.7% in 2007. Bonus payments remain relatively rare in the voluntary sector, with only 3% of individuals receiving some sort of bonus payment in the last twelve months.
- The vast majority of organisations said that they compensate their workers for doing out of hours/unsocial hours, with 87.6% offering overtime payments or time off in lieu. (The 19th Annual Voluntary Sector Salary Survey, National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)).
How big is this sector?- There is a paid workforce of at least 611,000 in UK general charities. This equates to an estimated 486,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) paid staff.
- The sector now employs approximately 2% of the overall paid workforce in the UK. (Career Pathways for graduates into the voluntary/community sector, HECSU).
Where can I work?- A large number of national and international organisations have their headquarters in London and the South East and almost one-third of UK voluntary sector employees now live in these areas. However voluntary organisations operate throughout the UK and there are indications that the growth of the voluntary sector has been higher outside London and the South East between 1996 and 2005. (Career Pathways for graduates into the voluntary/community sector, HECSU).
- There are also opportunities to work in other countries, see opportunities abroad for further information.
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