Focus on: Working for a Charity

Category: Tips and Advice Publish date: 03/02/2015

There are over 160,000 registered charities in the UK, employing 800,000 workers, of which 650,000 are fulltime equivalent (FTE) paid staff. The sector employs approximately 2.7% of the UK workforce. Volunteers are also a key element in the sector.

What types of roles will I typically find in this industry?

According to the Labour Force Study 57% of employees in the voluntary sector are employed in the Health and Social Work employment category. Within this broader category, 67% are employed in Social Work activities without accommodation (mobile), amounting to 300,000 people. A further 110,000 people (14% of the voluntary sector workforce) are employed in Residential Care activities, with an additional 95,000 employees engaged within the Education category. Most if not all organisations within this sector require one or more of the following roles:

• Office Support Staff
• Management 
• Specialty Managers or Program Assistants 
• Public Relations Specialists 
• Fundraisers

Skills and Qualifications

A diverse range of skills are often required. These may include:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong planning, organisational and time management skills. 
• Flexibility is required in dealing with the uncertainty of with working in this sector. 
• A good understanding of the sector and how it relates to other sectors. 
• Skills Sharing and mentoring. 
• Resourceful and initiative. 
• Good IT and web based skills. 
• Leadership skills, which can be developed through work experience, voluntary work, being an active member of a student society and through your academic studies.

Some specialist skills that are specific to particular roles within the sector may also be required. These can include:

• Fundraising and campaigning skills and experience.
• Volunteer management. 
• Capacity building and the ability to work within communities.
• Artisan, engineering, education, linguistical and logistical experience and skills.

Training

CTP offers a wide range of courses that may be beneficial to careers in the Charity sector. These include:

• Charity Management Awareness

• General Management courses such as APMP, Prince 2 and Facilities Management

• Health, Safety and Risk Management courses such as Combined NEBOSH Practitioner H&S Suite and Managing Safely (IOSH)

• Finance courses such as Commercial Financial Awareness, Financial Management & Accounting and Marketing & Selling

Your Career Consultant will be happy to discuss training with you to ensure that you make the right choice for your desired outcome.

Find out more

CTP Charity & Not for Profit Resettlement Guide – further information on working in the sector, plus useful links and vacancy information.
Institute of Fundraising  - the professional membership body for UK fundraising.
NCVO -  - sector news, discussions and policy, as well as information about running an effective charity.