We are looking for a Senior Project Officer to support the delivery Samaritans peer support scheme, the Listener scheme in prisons across the UK and Ireland. This is a key role within Samaritans growing Prisons & Justice programme and will work closely with other members of the prison team and external stakeholders to deliver our ambitious Prison and Justice strategy.

• Ewell, Surrey
• Permanent role and full time and part time hours will be considered
• £30,000 - £33,000 per annum (depending on experience) + competitive benefit

A little bit about the role.....

We are looking for a Senior Project Officer to support the delivery of Samaritans work in prisons across the UK and Ireland, including through its renowned peer support scheme, the Listener scheme.  This is a key role within Samaritans growing Prisons & Justice programme and will work closely with other members of the prison team and external stakeholders to support and develop our work in prisons.

The role will work closely with the Prison Support Manager to ensure the high-quality delivery of our current Listener schemes as well as taking the lead on specific projects to improve and expand the support we provide to people in prison. Working with Samaritans staff and volunteers, prison staff, Listeners, and external stakeholders, this is a varied role where no two days are the same. You will be office-based but also spend time visiting prisons and volunteers to provide operational support as and when needed.

We’re looking for someone with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ideally you will have experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders, including in senior roles, in a prison context or another similar environment. You are an excellent listener and you know how to ensure that operational needs are reflected in training materials. You know how to build positive relationships with volunteers and staff and you are sensitive to the challenges frontline staff face in challenging environments like a prison. You are persistent in working towards your goal even when facing resistance and difficulty. You will also need to have experience of planning and delivering office-based projects.

Former Listeners and others with lived experience of prison are encouraged to apply.

About Samaritans

At Samaritans, our vision is that fewer people die by suicide. We believe it is preventable and that by working together we can give people the support they need before they reach crisis point. We are one of the most trusted charities in the UK and ROI, and we answer a call for help every six seconds. We have around 175 staff and more than 20,000 volunteers based across 201 branches giving emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We don’t just hear you, we listen.

Our location

Our Central Office is located in a converted mill in Ewell, Surrey which is just over 30-minutes by train from Waterloo and 15 minutes from Wimbledon. As an employer we offer a good range of benefits, including 25 days’ holiday, free parking, Health Cash Plan, Pension and interest-free season ticket loans.

To apply

Interested candidates should submit their CV and a covering letter outlining their motivations for applying and how they meet each of role criteria as set out in the JD to the email address below by Monday 10th February 2020.