Business Administration Apprentice – animal charity sector

This role will give you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of all aspects of business administration, and to play an important role in the growth of the Charity.

You will support all aspects of the day to day running of the NFRSA including new registrations, processing grants, supporting our corporate partnerships and helping to plan and deliver our busy schedule of events.

You will also help with our marketing, in particular creating engaging posts for our growing social media following. This is an exceptionally varied and rewarding role for the right person, as your work will directly contribute to the lives of retired service animals and their owners/handlers.

Your responsibilities will include:

Gain a deep understanding of the NFRSA’s purpose, activities, values, and future ambitions Communicate effectively with a range of NFRSA stakeholders, including the NFRSA core team, our network of volunteers, donors, corporate partners, fundraisers, suppliers and our members and owners of retired service animals Maintain up to date records, using a range of administrative systems, including hard copy filing systems, spreadsheets, databases and Office 365 products Process new registrations, checking details carefully, and adding to our registration database Provide administrative support to our grants process, checking documentation, liaising with our members and vet panel and sending grants for payment Process online merchandise sales and prepare and dispatch to customers in a timely manner Support our network of fundraisers, by identifying and delivering practical help such as sending out posters, flyers and collection boxes Carry out regular audits of NFRSA stock levels to ensure they are sufficient, identifying when more is required Contribute to the planning and organisation of NFRSA events, to include managing resources required, organising logistics and briefing volunteers Provide administrative support to NFRSA Management Committee and Trustee meetings, producing accurate minutes for distribution

Providing hands-on support with NFRSA marketing including:

Reviewing our website to ensure it remains current and liaising with our website developers Creating engaging and impactful content for our growing social media audience and posting across all channels Monitoring the performance of our social media posts and using data to help us improve Supporting the creation and distribution of press releases Creating a range of marketing assets to include posters, flyers, surveys etc

You will work primarily within an office in the Bathurst Estate, Cirencester.

Tis is a hugely varied role, ideal for someone who enjoys a fast-paced environment and can on their own initiative when required.

Training:
Training for the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship will take place both in the workplace and at college The apprentice will attend regular sessions delivered by Cirencester College to develop the core knowledge, skills, and behaviours required for the role This will be supported by ongoing learning and development activities in the workplace, where the apprentice will apply their training to real tasks and projects In addition, the apprentice will have regular one-to-one sessions with their skills coach to review progress, set objectives and prepare for assessments Off-the-job training will typically take place one day per week (or equivalent) and will include a blend of classroom learning, self-directed study and practical application linked to the apprentice’s day-to-day work

Training Outcome:
This apprenticeship is an excellent stepping stone for individuals looking to build a career in business administration while gaining valuable experience in a supportive setting For the right person, we will be looking to offer a permanent, long-term position within the charity with opportunity for progression

Employer Description:
The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA) is a registered charity (1200949) supporting retired dogs and horses from the police, fire, prison, national crime agency, NHS, border force and MoD Police services by helping with medical and veterinary bills, which inevitably occur as they get older. When serving dogs and horses careers end, the financial support they have enjoyed whilst working, including food, kennels or stables, medical and veterinary requirements, training and equipment also comes to an end. Unfortunately, affordable insurance can be difficult to find due to their age and training. This is obviously a worry for handlers who have their own financial obligations, and medical bills can become a real challenge. As is widely acknowledged, the relationship between a handler and their working partner is second to none, and it is unthinkable the pair may be broken up due to financial pressure. Unfortunately, this does happen, and it causes great distress for the handlers, their families, and of course the animals themselves. The NFRSA is there to help to ensure these wonderful animals can stay where they belong, with the families they love, as the years advance. It’s the least they deserve when they’ve devoted most of their lives to keeping us, the public, safe. Since its formation in 2022, the NFRSA has more than 550 members and has provided in excess of £200K of support to retired service animals. Our job, quite simply, is to ‘Protect Our Protectors’.

Working Hours :
Monday - Friday, Shifts to be confirmed.

Skills:
Communication skills,IT skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Customer care skills,Problem solving skills,Administrative skills,Number skills,Analytical skills,Logical,Team working,Creative,Initiative