At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate exciting projects involving trained school dogs and support the Sunshine Coach Programme.
- Company: Join Variety, a charity dedicated to improving children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and enhanced pension contributions.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in schools while working with adorable dogs!
- Qualifications: Experience in project coordination and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
Variety School Dogs Pilot
This exciting new role works across two Variety programmes, the Variety School Dogs Pilot and the Sunshine Coach Programme, and supports the wider Programmes team.
Variety School Dogs Pilot.
Launching in January 2027, this 18-month pilot programme will place five trained school dogs in five SEND schools in London and the South East, building the evidence to scale the programme nationally.
You will work with Variety's expert partners to support the sourcing, training and certification of the dogs and their handler / guardians to National School Dog Alliance standards.
You will coordinate the pilot day to day.
Sunshine Coach Programme.
Variety has funded almost 6,000 Sunshine Coaches over 75 years, and the programme is growing.
You will support the programme across its operations from first enquiry to delivery, including the Sunshine Coach Re-Design Project launching in January 2027., Variety School Dogs Pilot
- Manage school applications against the selection criteria and carer guardian profile, and organise selection meetings with our delivery partner.
- Support partners to source and match dogs, coordinating homing checks, pre-assessments, grants and live training logistics.
- Be the first point of contact for schools, carer guardians and partners, and coordinate termly monitoring.
- Maintain the project plan and risk log, and write short progress reports for your line manager, the Chief Executive and funders.
- Track spend against the budget and flag discrepancies for review; check partner invoices and work with Finance to process payments.
- Sunshine Coach Programme
- Help manage the general enquiries inbox and answer questions about the programme.
- Keep in touch with long-standing applicants who have not yet been awarded a coach.
- Keep Salesforce coach records up to date at each stage of delivery.
- Support the Sunshine Coach Re-Design Project and other new projects.
- Help the Programme Engagement Manager with Sunshine Coach presentations.
- Wider Programmes team
- Support the Individual Grants and Wheelchair Programmes and the Impact Officer, answer general enquiries and cover for colleagues when needed.
- Keep Salesforce and shared records accurate, and handle data in line with UK GDPR.
- Any other reasonable duties requested by the Programmes team.
- Any other reasonable duties requested by the Programmes team.
- Some experience of coordinating projects or events involving several people or partners.
- Well organised, with accurate record-keeping and clear written communication.
- Confident building relationships with schools, applicants, partners and colleagues.
- Comfortable around dogs, with a commitment to their welfare.
- Understands safeguarding and confidentiality when working with schools and children.
- Willing to travel to schools in London and the South East, and occasionally to work outside normal hours, such as the August 2027 live training intensive.
- Approachable, reliable and practical, working well independently and in a team.
Desirable
- Experience in charity, education (particularly SEND) or health and social care, including volunteering.
- Knowledge of dog behaviour and welfare, or of animal-assisted interventions.
- Experience of Salesforce or another CRM.
- Lived experience, personal or familial, of disability, and an understanding of the social model of disability.
Variety, the Children's Charity, is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.
This role will require a DBS check.
Proof of eligibility to work in the UK is required.
- £30,000 per year Full-time Contract (1 year)
- Disability
- Youth and Children
- Actively Interviewing,
- 25 days holiday (we also normally give between Christmas and New Year off, but this is not contractual).
- In addition, after one year's continuous service, there will be an extra 2 days annual holiday for every complete year of service, up to a maximum of five days' extra holiday.
- Enhanced Pension - 7% employer contribution and 2% employee contribution
- Life Assurance 4x annual salary
- Company sick pay scheme
- Cashback medical scheme
Projects Coordinator (Fixed Term) employer: Variety
Variety is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and high-performing work culture that empowers employees to make a meaningful impact in the lives of disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK. With generous benefits including 25 days holiday, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth within the Third Sector, you will thrive in an environment that values creativity and innovation while supporting your career development. Join us at this exciting time as we launch our new three-year strategy and play a pivotal role in shaping our communications and fundraising efforts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Projects Coordinator (Fixed Term)
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Variety.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Variety.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Variety.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Variety. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Projects Coordinator (Fixed Term)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Variety. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Projects Coordinator (Fixed Term), ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Variety
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Variety. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
