Sector Support Officer at Sunderland VSA

Contract Type: Fixed term

Role Type: Employment

Hours: Full time

Application deadline:

Based: Sunderland

Salary: £31,800

Salary Type: Fixed Salary

Location: Tyne and Wear

Role description: Project Support

Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) Sector Support Officer

37 hours per week
Salary: £31,800 per annum
Fixed-term contract: 6 months (with potential extension subject to funding)

Secondment opportunities are welcomed Applications for Part time and Full time work will be considered

Office based, with one day per week working from home Flexible working available

This is an exciting opportunity to join our established team at a pivotal time.

SVSA exists to support and strengthen the voluntary, community, Faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector in Sunderland. We provide services that help organisations thrive, while actively ensuring the sector’s voice is heard by policy makers and funders.

SVSA is working closely with Voluntary & Community Action Sunderland (VCAS) towards the development of a single infrastructure organisation for the city’s VCFSE sector. This role will contribute to that ongoing development and may be subject to future organisational change, including potential TUPE transfer arrangements.

Our Vision

A thriving, inclusive and resilient Sunderland where voluntary, community, Faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations are empowered to lead, collaborate and innovate — amplifying community voices, delivering excellent services, driving equitable change, and harnessing the power of volunteering to transform lives.

We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our team and help strengthen the voluntary and community sector across the city.

We offer flexible working through a hybrid model, combining office-based and community-based working, with homeworking available one day per week.

Role Purpose

To strengthen and support the VCFSE sector in Sunderland by providing tailored advice, mentoring, and practical support to help organisations grow, adapt, and become more sustainable. The postholder will work with VCFSE groups to improve governance, strategic planning, operational resilience, and impact measurement, helping them deliver high-quality, community-focused services. Through capacity building, insight sharing, and partnership development, this role will identify opportunities for collaboration, highlight funding and investment possibilities, and ensure that local organisations are equipped to meet community needs. The postholder will also contribute to the delivery of SVSA’s Stronger Sector, Stronger City Blueprint and ensure sector insights are used to inform strategy, programme planning, and organisational decision-making.

How to Apply