Project Officer

Project Officer

£26,000 per year

Full-time, 35 hours per week

Fixed-term contract until March 2027

Based in Cornwall 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 support their work with volunteers in Cornwall.

What you’ll be doing

Our client’s project identifies, trains and supports volunteers who work with them to design new and exciting ways to promote reading and writing in their community. They build their capacity to take a lead role in the long term.

Our client is now looking for an enthusiastic and organised individual to oversee work with volunteers in Cornwall. Working alongside the local project manager and as part of their national communities team, you will develop new strategies for recruiting volunteers and mobilising key community partnerships to increase their reach and build sustainability. You will also organise and deliver training events, gather data, share learning and develop case studies to build an evidence base of impact.

This will include the delivery of a community-based project focused on improving home reading habits among families with young children. You will engage with a wide range of groups and businesses in the area and organise events for families. You will also create resources, including book boxes and noticeboards, and maintain supplies at our client’s storage unit.

You will be based in Cornwall and work from home. Your role will include regular local travel, 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.

This role is also suitable for secondment from an appropriate local partner.

What our client is looking for

You will be experienced in recruiting, training and supporting volunteers, and developing models that build volunteer leadership and community capacity. You will also have experience of working with early years settings, schools or community organisations. You will need to live in, or within easy access of, Cornwall and have a good understanding of the community and its families.

Due to the nature of delivery, you will need a full driving licence and access to your own vehicle. You will also need to be comfortable managing book stock and other resources, including at our client’s local storage unit.

This role is also subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with the organisation’s safeguarding policy and safer recruitment procedures.

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, 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, select the Apply button shown.

Closing date: 11:59pm, Wednesday 26 August 2026.

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