Data Volunteer (Technical) - Anywhere

About us

The RNLI's Data Department plays a crucial role in supporting the organization's decision-making, particularly in areas like strategy, operational practice, and lifeboat configuration. The department supports with data management, integration and engineering to enable analysis of internal and external data to provide evidence-based insights that help the RNLI make informed decisions. 

The data team are looking for volunteers to support their important ongoing work. This might be someone with a project idea to work together on, an academic project that you are thinking of where access to our tools and data would help, or maybe you have some strong data skills and would enjoy applying them to real data in a lifesaving context. 

This role can be carried out remotely or at our offices in Poole. The team work core business hours – 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, but we are keen to discuss flexible arrangements that work for both sides and help us to get the job done. 

Training will be provided in line with the relevant role requirements and an RNLI line manager and a buddy within the team will be assigned 

The impact you will make  

This role involves supporting the data department in various capacities, including but not limited to data collection, storage, processing, integration, analysis, and reporting. 

You will assist in ensuring data integrity and accuracy, contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the department. 

What you may be doing 

• Assist in data collection and data quality tasks using SQL and other database management systems.
• Support data analysis and reporting activities using statistical software and programming languages such as Python.
• Ensure data accuracy and integrity through data validation and cleansing processes.
• Collaborate with team members on data-related projects, including but not limited to data warehousing and ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of data documentation, including data dictionaries and metadata repositories.
• Participate in team meetings and provide input on data processes and best practices.
• Assist in the creation of data visualisations and dashboards using tools like Power BI.
• Support ad hoc data tasks as required 

What you need for this role  

• Organisation skills
• Good communication skills
• Able to work as part of a team
• IT skills & Foundational Data Literacy
• Ability to learn new skills and technical proficiencies 

What’s in it for you  

• Join an inclusive and diverse organisation  
• Have fun, meet new people and join a motivated and enthusiastic team who are making a difference 
• Learn skills and gain experience to enhance your CV  
• Gain the satisfaction of giving back 
• Training to fulfil your volunteer role will be provided and reasonable out of pocket expenses reimbursed

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.