Lead our Team: Area Lead Volunteer

April 8, 2024

Overview of the role


Welcome to Team BSO (British Scouting Overseas), where we're embarking on an exhilarating journey to empower the next generation through our Skills for Life strategy. Our mission is to shape brighter futures and equip young individuals in Scouting with invaluable life skills.


At the heart of the BSO lies the pivotal role of the Area Lead Volunteer (previously called Area Commissioner). As the guiding force, you'll spearhead the BSO Leadership Team, inspiring and mobilising volunteers to provide exceptional experiences and life-enriching skills to our youth. Your mandate includes ensuring a well-organised and adequately staffed Area team capable of delivering outstanding programmes.


Your pivotal responsibility involves implementing the Area’s 2018-25 Strategy. You will be rallying Area, District and Group Lead Volunteers and their teams to align with its objectives. This entails motivating and supporting volunteers to achieve the Growth, Youth Shaped, Community Impact, and Inclusivity targets outlined in our strategy.


As the leader of the BSO Team, you will bolster Scouting throughout the Area by nurturing volunteer development, enriching section programmes, and providing operational support. Additionally, you'll maintain a vibrant volunteer cohort in the Explorer and Network sections, establishing a well-regarded 14-24 provision within our multiple international communities.


Leading a team of dedicated volunteers passionate about delivering exceptional Scouting experiences to every young person is at the core of this role.

Read the Information Pack (pdf)

Application process



You can apply for the role yourself using the application form, or nominate someone else using the nomination form.


Nominated people are under no commitment to apply unless they wish to. 


A search group has been put together to oversee this process and will review all applications and nominations in order to make decisions as to who to invite to attend the selection stage of this process.


At the end of the application form, we also ask applicants to please fill out our Diversity Monitoring Form. You will be automatically directed to this.


Apply for this Role Nominate Someone for this Role

 

Key dates


Closing date: 09:00 on Wednesday 1st May 2024

Interview date: W/C 3rd June 2024 



For more information


For more information, or for an informal chat about this vacancy, please contact: 

Callum Kaye, UK Chief Volunteer for International
Email: 
Callum.Kaye@scouts.org.uk



Jon Gill, Outgoing District Commissioner Rest of the World District and search team lead.

Email: Jon.Gill@britishscoutingoverseas.org.uk


Share:

By Steve Hartley May 14, 2026
Gilwell Reunion 4th to 6th September 2026 This year will be the 100th Gilwell Reuion and BSO are looking for an individual or mall team to showcase our work and opportunities within the International Tent. If you can create a fun, engaging and interactive stand we would like to hear from you! You will need to be free to attend the event from 4th to 6th Sept 26 at Gilwell Park, London and we will ask others attending to help deliver the stand over the weekend so you get chance to see everything else on offer. For more information or to submit an outline proposal please email steven.hartley@britishscoutingoverseas.org.uk We look forward to hearing from you!
By Steve Hartley May 14, 2026
We already know you love camping, supporting and developing young people, the chance to meet new people and visit other countries. If you would like a great opportunity to combine all of these, we want to hear from you. We would like to offer our young people more choice in summer camps. Groups of around 40 young people and 4 to 6 adults taking part in an international experience to build their confidence or gain top awards. This is what our young people have to say from previous events; I would recommend a BSO Jamboree because… “It’s AMAZING! It’s been the best experience I've had in my life, really well organised” - Morgan, Paris Explorers “I think it's an experience to meet people that you will remember for the rest of your life from other countries” – Fernanda, Madrid Scouts “It’s the BEST experience in my life” – Marcos, Madrid Explorers “It was a great way to meet new people and try new things and have freedom” – Elizabeth, Dubai Scouts “I loved it, I made so many new friends that I have kept in contact with after camp that I really enjoyed it. Also, I believe that it was a good experience to be away from parents for a long time” – Alex, Dubai Explorers “You’ll have fun, new experiences, meet new people & learn new sports like sailing” – Kumail, Dubai Explorers “It was a great experience and it was a pleasure to be able to meet with multiple internationally based scouts in one place while participating in fun activities” - Ethan, Doha Scouts “It’s really fun, a great experience in general, you meet people from everywhere which is something you get nowhere else” - Lieve, Paris Scouts These our the current opportunities, we are happy to hear from you if you have other ideas as well;
By Graham Eden May 12, 2026
Find out what's happening across BSO with our latest Far & Wide Magazine, with information on events and important updates.
Show More