Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Charity Operations Officer- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
- Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Performing Administrative Activities Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Working Life
A charity organiser's work depends on the sise of the charity they work for. Some charities are very small and local, while others are large national organisations. In larger charities, the organiser may be responsible for planning and co-ordinating the work of departments responsible for activities such as fundraising, public relations and administration. The organiser is likely to be responsible for some or all of these functions. They promote volunteering to encourage people to take part and they attend committees and meetings.
Many charity organisers are involved in financial management or fundraising, this could involve donations from the public or applying for grants from the government. Organisers may plan money raising events like car boot sales, auctions, football matches, balls and dinner evenings. They may attend public meetings and events to collect large donations made by cheque and to thank the public.
Organisers are often responsible for the recruitment, training and co-ordination of a team of volunteers. The organiser's level of contact with the volunteers will depend on the sise of the charity and the type of activity the volunteers are involved in.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.
- Direct activities of professional and technical staff members and volunteers.
- Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers to ensure that programmes are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.
- Participate in the determination of organisational policies regarding such issues as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits.
- Prepare and maintain records and reports, such as budgets, personnel records, or training manuals.
- Provide direct service and support to individuals or clients, such as handling a referral for child advocacy issues, conducting a needs evaluation, or resolving complaints.
- Establish and maintain relationships with other agencies and organisations in community to meet community needs and to ensure that services are not duplicated.
- Recruit, interview, and hire or sign up volunteers and staff.
- Research and analyse member or community needs to determine program directions and goals.
- Implement and evaluate staff, volunteer, or community training programmes.
Further Information
- Charity officer- from: GradIreland
Qualities - Charity Operations Officer
As a charity organiser, you must combine idealism, and commitment to the cause, with realism and practical skills.
You will need strong administrative skills. Depending on the size of the charity, you may have few or no supporting staff, and may have to do routine tasks like handling cash, taking telephone calls and writing letters to thank people for their donations. You must be flexible with good communication skills and a professional manner.
Charity organisers must have good management skills. They need to respect the importance, rights and opinions of volunteers.
Interests - Charity Operations Officer
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Entry / Progression - Charity Operations Officer
There are many entry routes into this career. Work experience and qualifications in areas like marketing, financial management, and administration are very useful. Larger charities may seek graduates for some roles, a number of relevant courses are available.
Charities, depending on their requirements may employ other professionals and trades for their operation.
Volunteering Ireland and other charity organizations provide information for those seeking voluntary/ intern/ paid positions. A regularly updated vacancy list, featuring organisations that currently require staff, can be accessed via Volunteering Ireland, TheWheel, or Activelink.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: business administration, customer service, management.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: business management, sales, marketing, commerce, community work, accounting.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Accounting, Finance, Sales Apprenticeships.
Search for Apprenticeships
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: business, commerce, youth, community work, accounts, finance.
Search for CAO Courses
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include: sales, business, accounts, community work, management.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Pay & Salary - Charity Operations Officer
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €45k
Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, and experience.
Data Source(s):
Activelink / Indeed / Charity careers/ Charities Inst Irl
Last Updated: March, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Charity Operations Officer
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Youth and community workers; Child and early years officers; Housing officers; Counsellors Welfare and housing associate professionals n.e.c.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
The annual average employment growth rate for this occupation continued to be strong across the five-year period. Census data for 2022 indicates that youth and community workers account for the largest share of occupations within this group and vacancies announced through DSP Jobs Ireland in 2022 were primarily for these roles.
Useful Contacts - Charity Operations Officer
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Volunteering Ireland
-
National Council for Blind of Ireland
- PV Doyle House, Whitworth Road, Dublin 9
- (01) 830 7033
- Click Here
