Recruitment and Development Officer

Mercy; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An international charity organization in the UK seeks a passionate Recruitment & Development Officer to connect skilled professionals with volunteer opportunities that bring life-changing surgery to people in need. This role focuses on building relationships, nurturing volunteers, and supporting a mission that transforms lives across sub-Saharan Africa. Ideal candidates will have experience in recruitment or community engagement and a strong passion for humanitarian work.

Benefits

Opportunities to travel

Attend international summits

Qualifications

• Experience in recruitment, talent sourcing or community engagement is ideal.
• Understanding of the charity sector or Christian audiences is helpful.
• Strong communication skills and ability to balance multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Identify, engage and nurture prospective volunteers.
• Grow and maintain the Talent Community.
• Build new partnerships and engage with networks.

Skills

Recruitment experience

Community engagement

Communication skills

Job description

Help recruit the volunteers who bring free, life-changing surgery to thousands across sub-Saharan Africa. If you’re energised by people, purpose and global impact, this role will light you up.

Mercy Ships UK is entering an exciting new chapter. With a growing supporter community, two state‑of‑the‑art hospital ships, and ambitious plans for the next five years, we are expanding our recruitment capacity, and we’re looking for a talented, proactive Recruitment & Development Officer to help drive this vision forward.

This is not a standard recruitment role. You’ll be joining a mission that transforms lives every single day. We recruit over 400 skilled volunteer professionals each year; from surgeons and nurses, to engineers, teachers and maritime specialists, all serving on the Global Mercy and Africa Mercy, the world’s largest charitable hospital ships. Their work brings hope and healing to people who would otherwise have no access to safe surgery.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll support the Lead Recruiter by identifying, engaging and nurturing prospective volunteers, helping match the right people to the right opportunities at the right time. You’ll grow and maintain our Talent Community, build new partnerships, and engage with networks across the UK and beyond. One day you may be sourcing candidates online, another you may be connecting with training institutions, hosting webinars, or representing Mercy Ships at events.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone who thrives on connection, communicates brilliantly, and can balance multiple priorities with warmth, clarity, and calm. Experience in recruitment, talent sourcing or community engagement is ideal. An understanding of the charity sector or Christian audiences is helpful, but your attitude, integrity and passion for serving others will matter most.

Why join Mercy Ships UK?

Because your work will directly support surgeries, training, and long‑term healthcare strengthening in some of the world’s most underserved nations. You’ll join a collaborative, values‑driven team, with opportunities to travel, attend international summits, and contribute to a global mission that has transformed more than 2.88 million lives.

If you’re hungry for meaningful work, excited to build relationships, and driven to help others step into life-changing opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.