Curriculum Development Officer - Volunteer

The London Youth Diplomacy Foundation (LYDF) is a registered charity which centres on delivering meaningful programmes around schools in the United Kingdom, to cultivate skills in diplomacy in international relations. We achieve this through our flagship London Youth Model United Nations (London YouthMUN) conference and a portfolio of programmes under the #MUNforALL banner. We are entirely volunteer-run: LYDF employs no paid staff, and our trustees, Secretariat members and volunteers give their time for free, alongside their studies or careers.

MUN Academy, our online learning platform, is being redeveloped from a static repository of materials into an interactive, self-directed learning environment matched to Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5 and Sixth Form levels. Alongside it, MUNConnect, our new programme for teachers is under development, including a dedicated teacher support platform, and in time, accredited CPD courses in international relations and Model UN delivery. We're looking for a volunteer to help bring both of these to life: exploring how we host and structure a modern learning platform, and working directly with our Senior Trustee to keep our teaching materials rigorous, current and genuinely useful in the classroom.

What you'll be doing

• Researching and comparing options for hosting an interactive learning platform for MUN Academy 2.0 and recommending an approach.
• Working with the Senior Trustee to conduct periodic reviews of the Foundation’s teaching materials, checking content is accurate, age-appropriate for Key Stage 4/5 and Sixth Form learners, and pedagogically sound.
• Helping run closed betas of new materials and platform features with our teaching community under MUNConnect, and synthesising their feedback into clear recommendations.
• Contributing to the early development of the MUNConnect teacher support platform, and, longer-term, its planned CPD course components.

This is a new role, and we expect its shape to evolve you who might take it on, if you see a better way to do any of the above, we want to hear from you.

Who you'll work with

You'll work most closely with our Senior Trustee who leads on curriculum matters for the Board. The role sits within our Special Projects Committee. You'll also be in regular contact with the teachers taking part in our closed betas.

What we're looking for

• A genuine interest in education, curriculum design, or ed-tech.
• Strong written communication, and comfort giving and receiving constructive feedback on teaching materials.
• Reliable and organised, and comfortable working independently and remotely.
• Able to give a usual commitment of around 2–4 hours a week, flexibly and on your own schedule, the post is designed for you to flex around your studies or work.
• A background or training in teaching (e.g. current PGCE study), instructional design, or e-learning platform administration.
• Prior Model United Nations involvement, as a participant, chair, or organiser.
• Experience running or contributing to user testing processes.

What you'll gain

• Hands-on experience shaping a schools programme used by delegates from 30+ countries, and direct input into a genuinely new initiative from the ground up.
• Regular contact and mentorship from a serving Sixth Form teacher and Trustee.
• A flexible, fully remote volunteering role that fits around study or work.
• Reasonable expenses reimbursed in line with LYDF's Volunteer Policy.
• A reference on request, and an invitation to LYDF volunteer socials and London YouthMUN.

Time commitment

Flexible and remote. We'd hope for a usual commitment of around 2–4 hours a week, but this role is task-based rather than fixed hours, with occasional catch-ups with the Trustees.

Safeguarding

LYDF's principal beneficiaries are students aged 13–18, and safeguarding is a standing priority across everything we do. Please note that Volunteer Officers will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and safeguarding training as part of the role.

How to apply

Please send a CV and a short note on why this role interests you and any relevant experience, to Kelvin Ng, Chair of the Board of Trustees at kelvin@lydf.org.uk. Next steps are an informal conversation with the Senior Trustee and the Chair of the Board, any checks required for the role are requested only after we've agreed to move forward together, in line with safer recruitment practice.

LYDF is committed to inclusive volunteering and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. If you need any adjustments to take part in our recruitment process, just let us know.

Applications are currently open until 31 July 2026.