Project Officer, Literacy Champions (East Midlands)

Project Officer (East Midlands)

£26,000 per year

Full-time, 35 hours per week

Fixed term until the end of March 2027

Based in the East Midlands as a home-working role

Our client empowers people with the skills they need to succeed in life. Together, they're helping people change their stories. You could join them to help mobilise thousands of local volunteers in support of their campaign.

What you'll be doing

Our client is leading, developing and co-ordinating a new campaign, ensuring a powerful and engaging national campaign which redefines reading for a new generation.

A core part of their plans is to mobilise thousands of volunteers across the country, including through their own project, which identifies, trains and supports volunteers to promote reading and writing in their local area. This may be in person or online and includes everything from community book-swaps and reading corners, to setting up homework clubs and creating videos.

You will co-ordinate this work across the East Midlands region, identifying and engaging organisations and volunteer groups, and providing training and support. You will also work with first-time volunteers who sign up to support the campaign.

This is an opportunity to build a new network of volunteers from the ground up. You will work alongside existing local teams based in your region, with the support of the central volunteering team, and be part of a network of colleagues doing a similar role in each of the nine English regions.

You will be based in the East Midlands, working from home with regular travel locally, as well as national travel when necessary. This will include coming to London three times per year for regular staff days, as well as induction, and three team days per year that take place in other locations. All travel expenses will be covered.

What our client is looking for

You will be experienced in recruiting, training and supporting volunteers, and providing project support in a charity or educational context. You will also have experience of working with early years settings, schools or community organisations, and good knowledge of safeguarding practice in this context.

Experience of community mobilisation and developing resources and training materials would be an advantage, as would an excellent knowledge of issues surrounding reading and writing.

You will need to live in the East Midlands region and have an excellent understanding of its communities and families. Due to the nature of delivery, you will need a full clean driving license and access to your own vehicle. The role will also involve managing book stocks and other resources.

Why our client's work is so vital

Reading and writing change everything.

They give you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future. They're the key to knowledge, confidence and inspiration. They're better results at school, and better jobs. If children grow up without the tools to communicate, without books to read or opportunities to write, it's harder to get where you want to go.

Our client helps people overcome these challenges and change their life chances through the power of words - reading, writing, speaking and listening. From first words, through school days, to training, jobs and beyond.

- They work collaboratively in local communities, focusing their work in areas of the UK that are facing the biggest challenges.

- They support schools, developing the most effective tools and techniques and providing resources and programmes to engage and inspire children.

- They campaign to make reading and writing a priority for politicians and decision-makers.

- They support vulnerable adults, people in the criminal justice system and young offenders' institutions to build their skills.

What our client offers you

Our client's team are passionate about their mission, and have a strong and positive working culture, based on shared values and respect. They offer a range of flexible working options and promote a workplace where you can be yourself and contribute to their success, whoever you are.

As well as a competitive salary, they offer benefits including a generous leave allowance totalling 39 days (including bank holidays and office closure between Christmas and New Year), pension contributions of 8% of annual salary, a cycle to work scheme, an employee assistance programme and other health and wellbeing benefits.

Application details

Our client's people are their most important asset, and they value and respect diversity in all its forms (seen and unseen). They particularly welcome applications from those from Black and Asian backgrounds, as well as candidates with disabilities and from the communities in which they work. They would like to increase the representation of these groups among their staff, as they know greater diversity will lead to an even greater impact for their work.

To apply, please select the apply button shown.

Closing date: 10am, Friday 5 September 2025.

Please note, our client does not accept CVs. No agencies or recruitment sites.