Mentor jobs in edinburgh

Background

Chapter One is a dynamic, growing charity with a vision of a world in which all children have the literacy skills needed to thrive. Our mission is to close the reading gap by providing children with one-to-one support at the time they need it most. We work in twelve areas/regions of the UK and will support 3,800 children in 2025-26.

Our unique Online Reading Volunteer programme pairs struggling five to seven-year old (P2-4) readers with reading support volunteers who are working professionals. The volunteer ask 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. 

From a school perspective, online reading volunteers provide direct, meaningful literacy support for up to 10 pupils per class. The programme is particularly suitable for communities where it might be challenging to find parents and other volunteers who can commit to physically visiting schools to boost reading. For more information please visit our website and watch this short video!

Job Summary

Chapter One is seeking a Scotland Programme Manager who is an excellent communicator and is able both to motivate and support schools and teachers to implement our online reading volunteers programme, and also to ensure that the programme’s impact and benefit to disadvantaged communities is maximised throughout the academic year.

The post is ideal for someone looking for part-time, flexible, term-time only work from a home base and who is able to travel frequently in and around the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas. The postholder will be joining a team of established Programme Managers (also part-time) who work in different parts of the UK and will need to have some flexibility to work additional hours during busy autumn months, and conversely to work fewer hours during quieter periods of the year.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Effectively explain Chapter One’s online reading volunteer programme and its benefits to school leaders and teachers
• Install, setup and maintain Chapter One equipment in participating classrooms
• Fully understand the operation of the Chapter One platform and database and communicate this to others 
• Organise and conduct initial teacher training and follow-up
• Ensure a smooth initial launch of Chapter One’s programme in every classroom
• Liaise with colleagues performing technical and volunteer support roles
• Through regular visits to/contact with schools, provide on-going embedded professional learning and support to teachers throughout the year as needed  
• Proactively monitor classroom adherence/fidelity to the Chapter One model, including systematic review of data reports and volunteer feedback, taking proactive action to resolve problems that arise
• Analyse and manipulate data (largely in Google sheets) to produce reports and identify trends
• Create regular data summaries for all participating classrooms
• Lead annual review meetings for senior leadership at participating schools
• Support programme monitoring, evaluation and research as required
• Coordinate in person and virtual school ‘visits’ of volunteer teams to classrooms where necessary. This may include opportunities for Chapter One children to visit the office of the volunteers.
• Liaison with corporate partners as required
• Weekly communication and status updates with Senior Programme Manager(s) and wider team
• As a new school year approaches, secure commitments from returning schools and find and target new schools to join Chapter One’s programme 

Role Requirements: 

Essential

• Highly motivated individual with excellent interpersonal and organisational skills 
• Proven track record of working at a senior level in education, project management or a related field 
• Proven strength in both written and verbal communication 
• Highly IT literate, with excellent computer skills, able to troubleshoot software and technical  hardware issues, adept with Google suite and Microsoft Teams
• Ability to manipulate and analyse data to draw useful conclusions to improve programme delivery
• Proven ability to work independently 
• Self-starter and quick learner
• Ability to adapt and embrace a changing environment 
• University degree 
• Ability to drive and access to a car for work purposes

Desirable

• Two years of teaching/education experience with primary age children

Chapter One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and celebrate diversity in backgrounds and experience and are deliberate about the kind of teams we are building. Literacy is a universal concern, and we need people from all backgrounds to maximise our innovation, creativity and impact. We especially welcome applications from persons who have experienced disadvantage and/or from those who are of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities who are currently underrepresented in the organisation. 

Chapter One is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All postholders are subject to satisfactory references and a PVG  check.  Copies of our Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy are available on request.

At Working Options, we are keenly aware that talent exists in all parts of society, and yet opportunities are not available to all. We aim to help all young people in the UK to transform their career and life chances. In 2024 we delivered in-person activities for 73,000 young people and engaged 2.5 million with digital content. We are proud of the impact our small, dedicated team has, and we can only achieve this success with committed volunteers, schools and funding partners who value the services we offer.

We were founded in Luton in 2012, and in 2024 following a generous grant from the Moondance Foundation we launched our work in Wales. So far, we have supported 20,000 Welsh students in a quarter of Welsh secondary schools. By 2029 we aim to be working in all state secondary schools across the country.

We are looking for a strategic lead to take our work in Wales to the next level. With oversight of our Wales Accelerator, the postholder will develop relationships with funders, media, government, and other key players to open doors for our work across Wales. You will listen and respond to local needs to direct our operational work on the ground.

Success in this role will be measured by our increased profile, new partnerships and income secured to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of our work in Wales.

We are flexible about whether this is a full-time or part-time position. The postholder will work closely with me and our Trustees, our key Advisors and Ambassadors (high-profile and well-connected individuals from a range of sectors), as well as our Head of Programme and delivery team for Wales. Your contribution to our work will be critical to our success, maximising the number of businesses, individuals and schools joining our movement to help all young people in Wales achieve career success.

Sue Maskrey
Chief Executive

_______

Yn Working Options, rydym yn ymwybodol iawn bod talent yn bodoli ym mhob rhan o'r gymdeithas, ac eto nid yw cyfleoedd ar gael i bawb. Ein nod yw helpu holl bobl ifanc y DU i drawsnewid eu cyfleoedd gyrfa a bywyd. Yn 2024, fe wnaethom gyflwyno gweithgareddau wyneb yn wyneb i 73,000 o bobl ifanc ac ymgysylltu â 2.5 miliwn gyda chynnwys digidol. Rydym yn falch o'r effaith y mae ein tîm bach, ymroddedig yn ei chael, a dim ond gyda gwirfoddolwyr ymroddedig, ysgolion a phartneriaid ariannu sy'n gwerthfawrogi'r gwasanaethau a gynigiwn y gallwn gyflawni'r llwyddiant hwn.

Fe'n sefydlwyd yn Luton yn 2012, ac yn 2024 yn dilyn grant hael gan Moondance Foundation fe wnaethom lansio ein gwaith yng Nghymru. Hyd yn hyn, rydym wedi cefnogi 20,000 o fyfyrwyr Cymreig mewn chwarter o ysgolion uwchradd Cymru. Erbyn 2029 ein nod yw bod yn gweithio ym mhob ysgol uwchradd y wladwriaeth ledled y wlad.

Rydym yn chwilio am arweinydd strategol i fynd â'n gwaith yng Nghymru i'r lefel nesaf. Gyda goruchwyliaeth ein Cyflymydd Cymru, bydd deiliad y swydd yn datblygu perthnasau gydag arianwyr, y cyfryngau, y llywodraeth, a chwaraewyr allweddol eraill i agor drysau ar gyfer ein gwaith ledled Cymru. Byddwch yn gwrando ar ac yn ymateb i anghenion lleol i gyfeirio ein gwaith gweithredol ar lawr gwlad.

Bydd llwyddiant yn y rôl hon yn cael ei fesur yn ôl ein proffil cynyddol, partneriaethau newydd ac incwm a sicrheir i sicrhau cynaliadwyedd ariannol hirdymor ein gwaith yng Nghymru.

Rydym yn hyblyg ynghylch a yw hon yn swydd amser llawn neu'n rhan-amser. Bydd deiliad y swydd yn gweithio'n agos gyda mi a'n Hymddiriedolwyr, ein Hymgynghorwyr a'n Llysgenhadon allweddol (unigolion proffil uchel â chysylltiadau da o ystod o sectorau), yn ogystal â'n Pennaeth Rhaglen a'n tîm cyflawni ar gyfer Cymru. Bydd eich cyfraniad at ein gwaith yn hanfodol i'n llwyddiant, gan gael y nifer uchaf o fusnesau, unigolion ac ysgolion i ymuno'n mudiad i helpu holl bobl ifanc Cymru i gyflawni llwyddiant gyrfa.

Sue Maskrey
Prif Weithredwr

Who we’re looking for 

We’re looking for an exceptional Director of Fundraising and Communication who will lead our fundraising and communications with vision and purpose, helping us grow our reach, deepen our impact and amplify our voice. You’ll be joining a people-centred, mission-driven team, united by a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference. At a time when vulnerable young people face increasing challenges, our work has never been more urgent. If you’re motivated by impact and driven by purpose, this is a good opportunity to contribute to lasting change. 

You will be stepping into a well-established and highly effective organisation, but one that remains energised by innovation and continuous improvement. We actively welcome fresh thinking and new approaches that help us evolve and enhance our work. 

What will you do? 

This is a pivotal moment to join JET as we build on fourteen years of impact and enter a new chapter in our journey. We have ambitious plans to expand our reach and influence, and we’re seeking someone who can help us strengthen our funding base and sharpen our message. 

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead and develop our fundraising team, shaping a cross-stream strategy and an integrated communications plan. You’ll be responsible for setting the strategic direction for fundraising, communications and events across the organisation. By doing so you will raise JET’s national profile, grow our supporter base and significantly increase income to support programme expansion. 

You’ll bring strong experience across multiple fundraising streams, with a proven track record of securing significant multi-year funding and building lasting relationships with funders—both individuals and organisations. Alongside leading our fundraising efforts, you’ll take ownership of our brand, ensuring clarity and consistency in our messaging, helping partners tell our story, and securing positive media coverage. 

You’ll lead the development of campaigns, fundraising and marketing activities, and digital engagement that not only enhance our national profile but also drive supporter engagement and income growth.

This is a home-based role, with travel required to and within the regions where we operate, including attendance at key events. 

About you 

You will provide strategic leadership across fundraising, communications, marketing and events. Your work will be closely aligned with JET’s five-year strategy, enabling continued growth in funding and programme delivery. 

You’ll bring a wealth of experience in leading fundraising and communications at a strategic level, with a strong understanding of the sector and a track record of securing and sustaining major gifts and partnerships. You’ll be adept at managing integrated campaigns across multiple channels and growing income through sustainable funding models. 

Your leadership style will be collaborative and empowering, with the ability to build high-performing teams and foster a culture of accountability and innovation. You’ll be a confident communicator, able to inspire and influence, with excellent relationship-building skills and a strategic mindset. 

Above all, you’ll be passionate about JET’s mission to empower young people facing adversity. You’ll be a credible ambassador, committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and driven by the desire to make a meaningful difference. 

Across the JET team we cultivate a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to be a better team – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better outcomes for our young people. We welcome applicants whatever your background and whatever your stage in life, so if you are returning to the workforce after a period away, or even seeking a change of pace, please get in touch.  

About the Jon Egging Trust (JET)

At JET, we support vulnerable young people to get back on track and realise their potential; more than 45,000 young people right across the UK to date, and there’s so much more we can do. We’re an organisation that really values its people and we’re immensely proud that our team culture is based on caring and raising each other up.

Our benefits package includes:

• Flexible working

• Enhanced annual leave

• Homeworking allowance 

• Occupational pension scheme

• Occupational sickness scheme

• Special paid leave provision

• Enhanced family leave 

Download the Candidate Information Pack

Read our Applicant Privacy Notice 

Child and adult at risk protection policy statement 

The Jon Egging Trust is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for everyone involved in its services and activities. The Trust takes its extended moral and legal duty of care very seriously in relation to children, young people, staff and volunteers. We seek to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and to protect them from harm or abuse when they engage in any of our activities. JET expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. 

To apply 

Please complete our online application form.

The closing date is 16th November 2025 at [23:30].

Interview Process 

• First-round interviews: Monday 24th November (online) 

• Meet the team task and fireside chat: Thursday 27th November 

• Final interview (in person, London): Monday 1st December 

Questions? 

Contact us through our website. 

Please note:

Due to our anonymised recruitment process, if your application is not shortlisted, we are unable to provide personalised feedback. 

To become an employee at JET, you must be able to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK and a satisfactory DBS check – enhanced with children's barred is required for this role. As part of our recruitment process, we want to make clear that we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this position. 

As part of our safer recruitment process, all candidates invited to a final interview will also be required to complete a confidential self-disclosure form, which allows any relevant information to be discussed in line with our safeguarding policy. 

We also reserve the right to cancel the final stage of interview on 1st December if candidate does not meet expectations at this stage.