Job Description

Are you passionate about reading? Do you believe that reading can bring magic and opportunity? Can you help us to bring the joy of reading for pleasure into the homes of children in some of London's most disadvantaged areas? If you answered yes to these questions, then we may have the perfect opportunity for you!

We are looking for a Reading Project Leader, well-organised, with bags of energy and a sense of fun to join our team and coordinate three reading projects each week in London (Lambeth). You will manage the delivery element of the role from a base within the local community (where we keep a book stock and all equipment needed) from about 4.00-7.00pm, leading up to 10 volunteers. You will also from time to time be reading with and visiting families yourself, so you must be capable of lifting boxes, carrying rucksacks and pulling trolleys of books, walking around the estate and up and down stairs. Administration will be done at home/office.

You will need to have outstanding interpersonal skills to build relationships with both our dedicated volunteers and the local community. You will inspire a love of reading in the children we visit and be a friendly face for their parents/carers, providing support and information where needed. You will be confident, practical and able to think on your feet.

APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE:

Please apply with CV (maximum 2 pages) and a cover letter (maximum one page). Applications which do not meet these criteria will not be considered.

Salary stated is the Full Time Equivalent (FTE) and will be pro rated for 21 hours.

Working days are Mondays/Tuesdays/Thursdays from 1100-1900

This is a term time only role which requires attendance throughout each term. The pro rated annual leave allowance is converted and paid across the year with the monthly salary

You will need to be at a community base from 4.00-7.00pm as part of your daily hours

Predicted start date is February/March

Duties

To lead and support the project volunteers in delivering projects and contribute to achieving targets.

To review weekly project notes thoroughly and respond to any queries, issues or requests, and escalate concerns to the Service Delivery Manager.

To induct new volunteers and match volunteers to families on projects.

To ensure volunteers are adhering to all policies, including safeguarding, and that teams are vigilant in identifying and reporting safeguarding concerns.

To get to know families on projects and visit families as and when necessary.

To reach out to new families, make links to external organisations and agencies to promote what we do and receive referrals.

ccasional requirement to attend events outside hours, such as volunteer socials.

To manage the stock of books on projects, ensuring they are in good condition and relevant for the children visited.

To support the Service Delivery Manager in day-to-day admin to ensure the smooth delivery of projects and contribute to internal reports as required.

To ensure data is entered accurately and promptly into our database and kept consistently up to date.

To undertake additional duties as from time to time may be required.

Essential Criteria

1. Experience working closely with families and/or children, or lived experience similar to that of the communities we work with

2. Experience in a voluntary or community-based setting

3. Experience coordinating and supervising volunteers or similar

4. An appreciation of the importance of reading for pleasure and of parental involvement in a child's education

5.Passionate about social justice and improving life chances

8.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

9.Ability to work flexibly and imaginatively, adapting to rapidly changing demands and opportunities

10. Excellent organisation and administration skills

11. A positive team player, working with, supporting and encouraging colleagues

13. Confident user of Microsoft Office 365 and able to use a database

Desirable Criteria

1.A knowledge of and/or interest in children's literature/education sector

2. Knowledge of services for families/ children or desire to learn quickly

3. Experience of working in a small, close-knit team

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 26,780.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Employee discount Sick pay
Work Location: Hybrid remote in London SW1W 0DH