Business Administration Apprentice – National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA) – Find an apprenticeship

Summary

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. This is an exceptionally varied and rewarding role for the right person, as your work will directly contribute to the support we provide to retired service animals.

Annual wage

£12,000 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary to be reviewed after 6 months.

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Working hours are Monday – Friday, start 9am with variable hours over 4 to 5 days a week. 30 hours per week.

30 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 3 February

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

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, sponsors, 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 online merchandise sales and prepare and dispatch to customers in a timely manner
Analyse available data to identify trends and identify areas for improving the fundraising performance of the NFRSA
Assist in the creation of newsletters, social media communications and campaigns
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, including managing resources required, organising logistics and briefing volunteers on what is required
Review the NFRSA website to ensure content is both accurate and up-to-date, producing suggestions for changes, where required
Provide administrative support to NFRSA Management Committee and Trustee meetings, producing accurate minutes for distribution

Where you’ll work

Bathurst Estate Office

Cirencester

GL7 2BU

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

CIRENCESTER COLLEGE

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Your training plan

Although the majority of training will take place at the employer's premises, there will be occasional attendance required at Cirencester College.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4 or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Analytical skills
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Ability to multi-task

Other requirements

You will have a genuine passion for animal welfare, and ideally a love of dogs and horses. An interest in the work of uniformed services would be an advantage. Accurate and grammatically correct written communication is an important aspect of this role. A working knowledge of Microsoft Office would be an advantage. Ability to work independently at times, using own initiative, is required, Willingness to work occasional days at weekends, to attend charity events. Time off in lieu (TOIL) will be given. Cirencester College reserves the right to close this vacancy before the stated deadline once sufficient applications have been received.

About this company

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, and border force 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 is almost impossible 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 provided in excess of £100K of support to retired service animals. Our job, quite simply, is to ‘Protect Our Protectors’.

https://www.nfrsa.org.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Successful completion of the apprenticeship could lead to a permanent role as Business Manager.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

National Foundation for Retired Service Animals

Kate Tingle

Kate.Tingle@cirencester.ac.uk

01285 626168

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000291428.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Monday 6 January at 11:59pm)

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Business Administration Apprentice – National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA)

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