Unit manager volunteer jobs in Belfast

About Chapter One 

Chapter One is a small but growing charity, working to ensure that every child has 1:1 reading support at the time they need it most.

Our unique Online Reading Volunteer programme currently supports about 3,500 children a year. It pairs disadvantaged, struggling five to eight-year old (KS1) readers with reading support volunteers who come from over 180 local and national businesses. The volunteer task is very focused: readers commit 30 minutes a week to read with a child using a bespoke digital platform for an entire academic year. The results are transformative, boosting children's reading confidence and ability.

We have set ourselves ambitious targets and want to support 3,900 children by 2026/27, so this role, with responsibility managing, stewarding and nurturing our existing corporate partners, will be crucial to ensuring that we have sufficient volunteers and support to achieve this target. 2026 has been designated by the Government as the National Year of Reading, so we have a great opportunity to capitalise on this and secure business commitment for our work!

For more information about our programmes please visit our website. Please also take some time to visit our social media channels and watch our videos.

About the role 

Chapter One is seeking a proactive, energetic and enthusiastic Corporate Partnerships Officer to be an integral part of a team which aims to both maximise corporate income and deliver an excellent partner experience. 

Reporting to our Corporate Partnerships Manager, but also working closely with our Business Development Manager, you’ll support them both to deliver our annual volunteer targets and maintain our strong partner retention rate (currently 84%). This will involve supporting the account management of a portfolio of existing partners and the responsibility to nurture relationships to increase partner investment in Chapter One over time. The role involves collaborating across departments to ensure a seamless and positive experience for volunteers and partners.

This is a new role within Chapter One and is an opportunity for an early career professional to learn about charity-business partnerships in a dynamic, small charity which is flexible and agile.

Key Responsibilities 

Partner Stewardship

• As determined by the Corporate Partnerships Manager, lead the account management of a selected portfolio of corporate partners, achieving annual retention and growth targets for these partnerships.

• Focus, in all corporate partnership discussions, on maximising income and identifying opportunities to grow a partner’s support.

• Plan and conduct a regular cycle of partnership meetings, including mid and end of year reviews, proactively seeking out new opportunities that will maximise income and retain and grow partner support. 

• Support the Corporate Partnerships Manager to produce high quality written communications, reports and pitches as per the requirements of each partner, collaborating with the Data and Systems Officer and other teams as needed.

• Advocate effectively, with passion and enthusiasm, for Chapter One’s programmes in a variety of internal and external settings.

• Ensure, in conjunction with the HR and Finance Assistant, that partners are invoiced for their Chapter One donations accurately and in a timely manner. 

Partner/Volunteer Onboarding and Experience

• Work closely with the Corporate Partnerships Manager, Head of Corporate Partnerships and Volunteer Support Team to ensure that partner and volunteer onboarding is a smooth and positive experience. 

• Lead volunteer recruitment meetings as requested by partners, including presenting the programme to prospective volunteers and creating excitement and interest. 

• Alongside the Corporate Partnerships Manager, use internal systems to assign partner teams and volunteers to specific schools and ensure that their needs are met.

• Build proactive, supportive relationships with Volunteer Coordinators across partner organisations, providing timely, high-quality data and insights, and delivering an excellent partner experience to foster long lasting relationships.

• Working with Programme Manager team, Volunteer Support Team and IT team, to trouble shoot any issues arise. 

• Support the Programme Management team to liaise with partner contacts about the organisation of in-person school/office visits and virtual meet and greets.

• Attend Chapter One’s internal Volunteer Experience group and Corporate Engagement Group.

Marketing and Communications

• Work with the Marketing and Communications team to ensure that companies and volunteers have access to an array of promotional assets and recruitment materials

• Contribute content for the regular volunteer and corporate partner newsletters, including working with partners to gather volunteer testimonials and partner profiles

• Encourage corporate partners and volunteers to promote Chapter One through their own social media and channels

• Support the organisation of online and in person partner and volunteer recognition events

General

• Oversee and maintain specific Account Management related processes, including stewardship plans, recording of activity on the Salesforce CRM and internal spreadsheets and platform databases

• Regularly use Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets to analyse data and support decision-making

• Conduct administrative duties as required to support the Head of Corporate Partnerships and Corporate Partnerships Manager

• Attend conferences and events to represent Chapter One and talk about its work to existing and potential new partners

We are looking for some of the following attributes, though you might be more experienced in some areas than others: 

• A commitment to Chapter One’s mission and values. 

• Experience of account management of Corporate Partnerships or equivalent relationship-based roles in a fundraising, events, sales or marketing environment

• An ability to create compelling written pitches, ensuring messaging and brand are consistent 

• Outstanding presentation skills, with the ability to excite and inspire an audience 

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with business professionals at all levels 

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail 

• An understanding of CSR/social value and employee engagement 

• An understanding of social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn. 

• Able to take personal accountability for own workload and for delivery of targets 

• A ‘can do’ and flexible approach with an ability adapt to changing priorities 

• Awareness of the importance of data security best practice and GDPR regulations when processing a range of stakeholder data 

• Highly computer literate, particularly in Excel, with hands-on experience of using Google suite and platforms and tools such as Salesforce CRM, PowerPoint and more. 

You’ll be more successful in the role if you have: 

• Experience of using digital marketing platforms 

• Experience of working in the charity/non-profit sector 

How to Apply 

Please send your CV (maximum 2 A4 sides) and a covering letter via Charity Jobs. Your covering letter (maximum 1 side of A4) should: 

1) Detail your relevant experience, including clear examples.

2) Tell us about a partnership that you have initiated or been involved with and what you did to make it succeed. 

3) Tell us about how our organisational mission is in line with your values. 

Applications that fail to meet these criteria will automatically be discounted. We understand that you may use AI to help craft your application, but do remember that we will be looking for individuals who write a letter that stands out. We want you to have every opportunity to shine and to show us your talents - please let us know if there is anything we can do to make sure the assessment process works for you.

As a charity that values and celebrates people's diversity and champions opportunities for all young people, we are keen to receive applications from people who have experienced disadvantage and from those who are of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities who are currently underrepresented in the organisation. We believe that a diverse organisation is one that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results.

Chapter One is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure. Copies of our Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy are available on request.

About Chapter One

Chapter One is a growing charity dedicated to ensuring every child has access to one-to-one reading support at the time they need it most. 

We support children at every stage of their primary reading journey through three programmes - Early Literacy Intervention, Online Reading Volunteers, and Book Clubs - helping them build both the will and the skill to read. Our innovative Online Reading Volunteers Programme aims to support 3,500 children facing disadvantage during the 2025-26 academic year, pairing five to eight-year-old children with reading support volunteers from over 180 local and national businesses. Our unique approach requires volunteers to commit just 30 minutes a week for an entire academic year, using our bespoke digital platform. The results are transformative, significantly boosting children's reading confidence and ability. 

For more information about our programmes please visit our website. Please also take some time to visit our social media channels and watch our videos.

About the role

With ambitious targets to support thousands more children by 2029, Chapter One is seeking a passionate, energetic Fundraising Officer to be an integral part of our Fundraising team. Reporting to our Fundraising Manager, you’ll generate income from a range of existing and new trusts and foundations, along with individual fundraising activities, to contribute towards the 2025-26 fundraising target. The fundraising budget in 2026-27 will be £356,000, when you’ll have an individual target.

This role is ideal for an early career professional who can write creative, compelling proposals and build impactful relationships to make your mark in a fast-growing charity which is flexible and agile. You’ll be a proactive, determined self-starter and have high standards for yourself and others. You’ll develop and manage a funding pipeline by investing in thorough research and relationship cultivation, and you will thrive in working with funders, partners and supporters on a day-to-day basis. 

Key responsibilities

Deliver the fundraising plan 

• Work collaboratively with the Fundraising Manager to grow Chapter One’s fundraising portfolio and meet agreed income targets from trusts and foundations. 

• Maintain a portfolio of existing trusts and foundations, ensuring an excellent cultivation and stewardship journey​ in order to build relationships and maximise income. 

• Proactively identify and research new prospective trust funders, finding creative ways to engage with them to secure support.

• Create compelling and tailored fundraising applications and reports, ensuring there is a strong emotional case for support and accuracy, to inspire prospects and supporters across trusts and foundations. 

• Contribute to the highest levels of donor care for supporters, including creative stewardship, adhering to all grant conditions and responding in a timely manner to all enquiries from supporters and prospects. 

• Research, interpret and present data about literacy and impact that makes a compelling case for Chapter One’s programmes. 

• Contribute to internal planning and budget setting for restricted and unrestricted activities, setting out clear plans and a pipeline for income generation from trusts and foundations.

• Work with the Fundraising Manager, Corporate Partnerships team and Communications team to support the development of strategies and campaigns to grow individual giving from existing volunteers and supporters.

• Undertake administrative duties to support the delivery of individual fundraising initiatives including matched-giving campaigns and Payroll Giving. 

• Work closely with the Fundraising Manager, Corporate Partnerships team and Communications team to ensure a cohesive approach and maximise all fundraising opportunities.

General

• Oversee and maintain specific fundraising administrative processes, including recording of activity on the Salesforce CRM and internal databases.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of fundraising regulations, networks, and developments across the sector. 

• Adherence to Chapter One’s Donation Acceptance Policy.

• Contribute to forecasting and regular reporting, producing verbal and written reports for senior management as required.

We are looking for some of the following attributes, though you might be more experienced in some areas than others:

• A commitment to Chapter One’s mission and values.

• Experience of fundraising, ideally from trusts and foundations. 

• A demonstrable track record of successfully generating income and achieving targets. 

• An ability to create compelling and successful fundraising applications and proposals. 

• Excellent written communication skills, with an understanding of how to tailor communications for different audiences/contexts.

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and manage relationships with a range of stakeholders, both internally and externally. 

• Evidence of effective prospect research, growing and managing a pipeline, planning for your portfolio and increasing income​.

• Good financial acumen and proven ability to present complex financial information accurately.

• Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.

• Ability to effectively work under pressure and manage conflicting priorities.

You’ll be more successful in the role if you have:

• Experience of individual giving or employee fundraising.

• Experience of working in a charity that has a strong corporate volunteering offer.​

• Experience using the Salesforce CRM.

How to Apply

Please send your CV (maximum 2 A4 sides) and a covering letter via Charity Jobs. Your covering letter (maximum 1 side of A4) should:

1) Detail your relevant experience, including clear examples.

2) Tell us the story of a successful fundraising relationship that you have been involved in, how much you raised and what you did to make it succeed.

3) Tell us about how our organisational mission is in line with your values.

Applications that fail to meet these criteria will automatically be discounted. We understand that you may use AI to help craft your application, but do remember that we will be looking for individuals who write a letter that stands out. We want you to have every opportunity to shine and to show us your talents - please let us know if there is anything we can do to make sure the assessment process works for you.

As a charity that values and celebrates people's diversity and champions opportunities for all young people, we are keen to receive applications from people who have experienced disadvantage and from those who are of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities who are currently underrepresented in the organisation. We believe that a diverse organisation is one that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results.

Chapter One is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure. Copies of our Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy are available on request.

Salary: £14,632 per annum
 
Shannon Trust Probation Facilitator – East Midlands Probation 
 
Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?
 
Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes across Leicestershire and Lincolnshire Probation Delivery Units. Working closely with People On Probation, probation and their staff, this post will lead the delivery and development of our digital reading programme Turning Pages Digital, maximising opportunities for People On Probation to learn to read.  
Ideally you will have some experience of probation delivery underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach. 
 
This role is a fixed term role until 31st March 2027 with the opportunity to be made permanent subject to contract renewal.
 
The role will be home-based, with extensive travel across Lincolnshire and Leicestershire to integrate into teams within probation buildings. Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.
 
?We do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions but these roles do require probation security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.
 
Interviews to be held 1st April 2026
 
REF-227 222