Volunteer with us

Volunteers are a crucial building block and are the backbone of Action Against Hunger.

Our work is only made possible thanks to the involvement and commitment of many volunteers who give their time and skills, contributing day after day, to help us fight hunger and ensure that people are given access to the most basic of human rights – the right to food.

Click on the title below for more information:

Why volunteer?

What are the typical roles?

What do we give in return?

How to apply?

FAQs

Why volunteer?

Volunteering is a way:

• to play a role in helping us fight hunger.
• to meet new people who share some values
• to develop new skills
• to improve your career prospects
  
  

What are the typical roles?

We regularly look for volunteers who can assist with activities in the following areas:

• Fundraising
• Events
• Campaigns
• Communication
• Advocacy
• Research & Advocacy
• Corporate Relations
• Community Groups
• Street collections
• Human Resources
• Finance
  
  

Typical profiles

Our minimum requirements are:

• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral)
• Professional and polite telephone manner
• Good knowledge of Excel and Word
• Flexible multi-tasker who is able to work independently as well as part of a team
• Successful candidate will share the core values of Action Against Hunger’s operational charter of principles
• Eagerness to learn

Other desirable qualifications:

• Qualification relevant to the role
• Candidates should show interest in gaining further understanding and experience of the reality and key challenges of working in a team as part of an NGO
• Experience in charity work, charity fundraising or recruitment industry
• Knowledge of/or interest in food & drink, hospitality & catering industries
• Other languages are a bonus (French & Spanish)
  
  

 What do we give in return?

• Ensure not only time, but also skills and experiences are well used
• Be supported, guided and recognised by having a designated manager
• Have the flexibility to develop within their volunteering role by extending or adapting their role
• Be given opportunities to keep up to date with Action Against Hunger’s work
• Have the opportunity to put forward their views on our work and on their volunteering
• Work in an organisation that is striving to be non-discriminatory and diverse
  
  

Action Against Hunger adheres to an open and transparent recruitment of volunteers.  As with any recruitment process within Action Against Hunger, volunteer recruitment is committed to equal opportunities, following the People in Aid code of good practice and UK Law.

For each volunteer position there is a job description and a designated line manager. Any changes in your job description will be made in mutual agreement between manager and volunteer.  Action Against Hunger’s recruitment process includes a CV application, informal discussion and following up of two references.  Volunteers will be required to adhere to Action Against Hunger’s internal policies.

On joining Action Against Hunger, you will be welcomed by the HR department, who has the responsibility of ensuring you are introduced to general office procedures.  Throughout your working period your named line manager will supervise and support you in your work. 

Throughout your time with Action Against Hunger you will be encouraged to meet with others, attend meetings and fieldworkers presentations to equip yourself with a greater understanding of all sectors of our work.

Policies

Insurance

Volunteers are covered by ACF-UK public liability insurance and employer’s liability insurance.

Health and Safety

ACF-UK complies with UK Law. Health and safety issues are covered as part of the volunteer’s induction.

Expenses

ACF-UK believes volunteers should not be out of pocket because they are volunteering and therefore ACF-UK will reimburse reasonable out of pocket expenses as follows:

• Transport:
  Costs incurred during your work.  Public transport costs will be refunded up to a maximum of the cost of a peak one day travel card (zones 1-6); where possible refunds will be based on actual costs, in the case of a travel pass holder, at the estimated cost of travel.

• Subsistence:
  A meal allowance of up to the value of GBP3.00 may be claimed if a volunteer works more than four hours in one day and is not currently receiving a job seekers allowance.
  There is free access to ACF-UK refreshments during the course of your work.  Any other expenses would require prior authorisation from the HR department.  Expenses are reimbursed on completion of an expense claim form (copies available from HR or your manager) and supported by the relevant receipts, reimbursements are made in cash and must be claimed promptly within two weeks of incurring the payment.
  
  

Computer Security and Email & Internet

Volunteers will be asked to read and sign in agreement to these policies; they will be presented these during their induction.

Grievance and disciplinary procedures

ACF-UK has established grievance and disciplinary procedures that can apply to volunteers and staff alike, both are available as separate documents.

How to apply 

All applications are processed through our on-line recruitment application system. We endeavour to reply back to all applications but due to the amount of applications received, we can only consider applications for specific advertised vacancies. We are not able to accept any speculative applications. We will accept your CV’s and each application must have a covering letter.

Please specify in your covering letter:

• the date you will be available from
• how long you are available for
• how many days per week you can dedicate to Action Against Hunger

Click here to go directly to the current vacancy page.

FAQ’s 

 How many hours do I need to volunteer for?
You can volunteer for as many hours as you can spare. However we normally request a minimum of three days a week full time. This is also very dependant on the role.

What skills or qualifications do I need?
You do not necessarily need to have any qualifications to be a volunteer with us. Generally the work assignment will stipulate qualifications required if it is a specialist role. If you have previous experience it can be useful but it is not essential.

Do you pay for my travel expenses?
We will reimburse reasonable travel expenses normally between zone 1 to 6.

Do you have opportunities for young people to volunteer?
We welcome young volunteers and we believe that you will contribute in a number of valuable ways. We also are a part of the work experience placement scheme.

Do you run any internship placements?
We offer unpaid placements in the head office. These are usually research or project based roles.