Senior Project Officer, Wales in Slough

£28,500 per year, pro rata (0.8 FTE) / £22,800 per year Part-time, 28 hours per week Fixed-term contract to the end of February 2028 Based in Cardiff as a home working role.

We empower people with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. Together, we're helping people change their stories. You could join us to support an exciting new project working with fathers, grandfathers and other male carers in Cardiff.

What you'll be doing

You will lead the day-to-day delivery of a pilot project across Cardiff, including everything from research and partnership development through to delivery. This is an innovative new project exploring how volunteering can better engage fathers, grandfathers, and male carers in supporting children's literacy and learning. Working collaboratively across the National Literacy Trust and with a wide range of external partners, you will ensure the project meets its objectives, milestones and reporting requirements while generating valuable learning that informs future volunteering practice.

You will be based in our communities team, and work closely with colleagues from across the organisation, including our team in Wales as well as our education, communities, communications, research and evaluation teams. External stakeholders will include community organisations, family support organisations, delivery partners, schools, parent volunteers, libraries, education networks, Welsh-language partners, research and volunteer organisations across Wales, and local and national media.

This role is based in Cardiff and will involve regular travel around the area. There will also be some national travel for our organisational away days, which take place in London three times per year, as well as approximately three team days per year. All travel expenses will be covered.

What we're looking for

You will have strong research skills and the ability to analyse data from a range of sources. You will also be experienced in developing and managing partnerships and delivering community based/volunteer programmes. You will need to live in, or within easy access of, the Cardiff area and have a good understanding of the community and its families to be able to engage them in programme design and delivery.

Due to the nature of the role, you will need a driving licence and access to your own vehicle. The role will involve managing book stocks and deliveries, as well as other resources, and manual handling training will be provided. This role is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check, in line with our safeguarding policy and safer recruitment procedures.

Why our work is so vital

Literacy changes everything. It gives you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future. It's the key to knowledge, confidence and inspiration. It's 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.

The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity helping 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.

• We work collaboratively in local communities, focusing our work in 20 areas of the UK that are facing the biggest challenges.
• We support schools, developing the most effective tools and techniques and providing resources and programmes to engage and inspire children.
• We campaign to make literacy a priority for politicians and decision-makers.
• We support vulnerable adults, people in the criminal justice system and young offenders institutions to build their literacy skills.

What we offer you

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

As well as a competitive salary, we 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 people are our most important asset, and we value and respect diversity in all its forms (seen and unseen). We particularly welcome applications from those from Black and Asian backgrounds, as well as candidates with disabilities and from the communities in which we work. We would like to increase representation of these groups among our staff as we know greater diversity will lead to an even greater impact for our work.

To apply, select the Apply button shown. Closing date: 11:59pm, Tuesday 6 October 2026. Please note we do not accept CVs. No agencies or recruitment sites. Registered charity no. 1116260 (England and Wales) and SC042944 (Scotland).