Youth & Volunteer Development Coordinator

One Dalkeith

Salary: £16.00 per hour

Closing date: Monday October 5th, 2026

Job Description

Hours: 16 paid hours per week
Salary: £16.00 per hour
Contract: Fixed-term, 12 months
Location: One Dalkeith, 21 Eskdaill Court
Working pattern: Flexible, with occasional evening and weekend activity
Responsible to: Management Team and Board

About One Dalkeith

One Dalkeith is a community-led organisation working to strengthen Dalkeith through community development, participation, creativity and local enterprise. Our work brings people together, creates opportunities for volunteering and involvement, and supports local people to have a meaningful role in shaping the future of their community.

Volunteers are at the heart of what we do. We are looking to strengthen our volunteer programme and create more meaningful opportunities for young people to develop confidence, skills and leadership experience.

About the Role

We are looking for a creative, organised and people-focused Youth & Volunteer Development Coordinator to lead the development of One Dalkeith’s volunteer programme, with a particular focus on creating opportunities for young people aged 8–24 to take on leadership roles.

A key responsibility of the role will be to develop and establish a Youth Board within One Dalkeith, creating a structured and supported space for young people to influence organisational priorities, shape projects and activities, and contribute to decision-making. The Youth Board will be developed with young people, rather than imposed on them, ensuring that its purpose, membership, structure and priorities reflect what young people themselves want from the opportunity.

This is a hands-on, relationship-based role within a small community organisation. We are looking for someone who can work independently, take responsibility for their own workload and bring ideas and initiative, while working collaboratively with the wider One Dalkeith team.

The role is based around a ‘with, not for’ approach. Rather than delivering pre-designed programmes, you will work alongside volunteers and young people to identify their interests, strengths and aspirations and help turn their ideas into achievable action.

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer Development

• Lead the recruitment, induction, support and retention of volunteers across One Dalkeith.
• Build trusting, positive and inclusive relationships with volunteers of different ages and backgrounds.
• Develop opportunities for volunteers to build confidence, skills, experience and community connections.
• Identify barriers to participation and work with volunteers to find practical ways to overcome them.
• Support volunteers to take greater ownership of activities, events and community initiatives.
• Encourage peer support, collaboration and shared leadership among volunteers.
• Maintain appropriate volunteer records and ensure information is kept accurate and up to date.

Youth Leadership & Development

• Create meaningful leadership and development opportunities for young people aged 8–24.
• Work alongside young people to identify their interests, strengths and aspirations.
• Support young people to develop their own project ideas and turn them into practical, achievable plans.
• Enable young volunteers to take ownership of planning and delivering activities and community projects.
• Facilitate informal, creative and reflective sessions that build confidence, communication and leadership skills.
• Provide light-touch mentoring around employability, leadership, community engagement and creative practice.
• Encourage young people to influence One Dalkeith’s activities and decision-making.
• Support peer-to-peer learning and opportunities for young volunteers to support one another.

Training, Projects & Community Engagement

• Coordinate training and development opportunities for volunteers and young people.
• Support volunteers to develop skills in areas such as facilitation, event planning, communication, project development and community engagement.
• Coordinate agreed young person-led projects and activities within available budgets.
• Work with volunteers and community partners to deliver activities that respond to local interests and needs.
• Help celebrate and share volunteer and youth-led achievements through events, exhibitions, storytelling and other creative approaches.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Safeguarding

• Implement appropriate monitoring and evaluation processes for the volunteer development programme.
• Collect and record relevant participation, progression and outcome information.
• Contribute to funder reporting and organisational learning.
• Document volunteer and youth-led activity through photography, writing, video, case studies and other creative methods.
• Follow One Dalkeith’s safeguarding, equality, health and safety and other organisational policies.
• Raise safeguarding concerns appropriately and seek support from the relevant member of staff where required.

Working Within One Dalkeith

• Manage and prioritise your own workload within the agreed hours and project objectives.
• Work collaboratively with One Dalkeith staff, volunteers, members and community partners.
• Take responsibility for delivering the agreed volunteer development workplan, with regular supervision and support from your line manager.
• Contribute ideas to the continued development and sustainability of One Dalkeith’s volunteer programme.
• Work within agreed budgets and organisational procedures.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working with volunteers, young people, community groups or participatory projects.
• Is confident building positive relationships with people from different backgrounds and experiences.
• Has experience in volunteer coordination, community development, youth work, informal education, creative facilitation or a related area.
• Enjoys supporting other people to develop their own ideas and take ownership.
• Is organised and able to manage their own workload and priorities.
• Can turn ideas into practical, achievable plans.
• Is confident facilitating groups and creating welcoming, inclusive spaces.
• Has strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Is comfortable working independently within a small organisation.
• Can demonstrate a commitment to participation, shared power and community-led development.
• Is able to work flexibly around the needs of volunteers, young people and community activity.

We particularly welcome applicants with experience of:

• Volunteer management or community development.
• Creative or participatory arts practice.
• Youth work or informal education.
• Supporting people who may face barriers to participation.
• Community-led project development.
• Supporting people into leadership, training, volunteering or employment pathways.

Hours & Working Pattern

This is a 12-month fixed-term employee position, subject to funding. Hourly rate: £16.00 per hour.

The role is 16 paid hours per week, normally worked across two or more days by agreement with the successful candidate. The role will primarily be based at One Dalkeith, with occasional evening or weekend work where required to support volunteer and youth-led activities.

Where the role is worked across full working days, an appropriate unpaid break will be taken in accordance with working time requirements. The exact working pattern will be agreed with the successful candidate. We welcome applications from people balancing employment, study, caring responsibilities or other commitments and will discuss flexible working arrangements with the successful candidate.

What Success Will Look Like

By the end of the project, we want to see:

• More people actively involved as volunteers.
• Volunteers feeling welcomed, valued, supported and connected to One Dalkeith.
• Increased confidence, skills and independence among volunteers.
• Young people taking meaningful leadership roles.
• Young people designing and delivering their own activities and projects.
• Stronger peer relationships and connections between volunteers.
• Volunteers progressing into further volunteering, training, employment or leadership opportunities.
• Increased volunteer and youth influence over One Dalkeith’s activities and decision-making.
• A stronger and more sustainable volunteer programme for the organisation.

How to Apply

Please submit the following by email: Manager@onedalkeith.info

1. 1. A CV outlining your relevant experience.
2. A supporting statement, answering the following questions:

• What experience, skills or qualities would you bring to this role?
• How would you support a young volunteer who had a strong idea for a community project but lacked confidence in leading it?
• What would you prioritise during your first three months at One Dalkeith?

We are particularly interested in how you build relationships, enable other people to take ownership and approach community-led development.

Equal Opportunities

One Dalkeith is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming organisation. We particularly welcome applications from people who are underrepresented in community development and leadership roles. We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments or alternative ways of applying where required.

Application deadline: 05/10/2026

Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund Young Start.