Youth Project Development Officer

We are seeking a Youth Project Development Officer to support our youth team in developing our youth work offer. This role will help us create a youth work plan that will shape our services, optimise capacity and find a balance between our universal offer and targeted provision. In this role the individual will also be responsible for running our volunteer programme with the goal of increasing volunteer numbers and ensuring volunteers receive the necessary support.  

Working towards these priorities, the individual will undertake tasks associated with developing the youth work plan. They will be responsible for holding consultations with young people to ensure we stay true to our ethos of ‘run by young people, for young people’. It will also be their responsibility to research similar organisations and hold discussions with partners to determine the gaps in our provision. As for our volunteer programme, this will be in the hands of the individual to shape whether that be introducing new strategies for recruitment or developing the structure of inductions, training and volunteer socials. The individual will have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, taking ownership of their responsibilities throughout their time with us. They will be supported by a committed team.

This leadership development opportunity is full time for a year and is a graduate entry role. The successful candidate will take part in the Time to Shine programme which includes participation in leadership programme events requiring travel across the UK. In addition, we are eager to provide further training opportunities which could include a youth work qualification although training opportunities offered will be agreed in consultation with the individual so that we can provide experiences relevant to their longer-term aspirations.  

The successful candidate will report to the Youth Team Manager and will work as part of the team. They will have an interest in the work of Elgin Youth Development Group. We strive to be a learning organisation, and the successful candidate will be joining a team committed to delivering an excellent, contemporary and relevant offer. 

 Job Responsibilities: 

Youth Work Support 

– Developing, in conjunction with the youth team, a youth work plan. 

– Consulting YP, including our youth management group, and partners to identify gaps in our provision and review current provision.

– Researching other youth work projects/organisations to bring new ideas/projects/offers to our YP. 

– Build a picture of the needs and aspirations of YP to help develop our provision.

– Working closely with our Fundraising Officer consider ways of funding the provision.

– In collaboration with team members develop and pilot new sessions.

– Support the youth work team during sessions. 

– Working with the wider team to promote youth work activities. 

– Help to input and collate data on and from our database (Upshot)

Volunteer Support 

– Developing and running our volunteer programme, increasing the number of adult/younger volunteers. 

– Working with employability team to identify ways of aligning our volunteer programme with employability.

– Providing support to our volunteers by organising volunteer sessions so they feel included, confident and supported. 

– Arranging training for both new and existing volunteers.

– Working with the wider team to promote volunteering opportunities. 

Please read the Time to Shine Candidate Guide provided. If you are interested in leading change and gaining experience in the charitable sector, please get in touch by emailing office@elginyouthcafe.org with your CV and a cover letter outlining why you think you are suitable for this role.