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Vacancy: Early Years Project Co-ordinator (Community Engagement)

Job title: Early Years Project Co-ordinator (Community Engagement)

Contract: Fulltime, fixed term contract until 31 July 2027

Reason for Fixed Term Contract: Position is funded in connection with supporting implementation of the Tackling Child Poverty Action Plan 2026

Hours of work: 35 hours per week

Starting salary: £27,200

Closing date: 8 July 2026

This is an excellent opportunity for you to join Scottish Book Trust as an Early Years Project Co-ordinator (Community Engagement)]. The position offers flexible full time working within our Early Years Team.

The Early Years (EY) team delivers Bookbug, an evidence-informed programme which aims to promote parent-child bonding and attachment, support children’s language and communication skills, and help their social, emotional and cognitive development through reading, singing and rhyming. Key elements include universal book gifting at four stages, free story, song and rhyme Bookbug Sessions, Bookbug for the Home and community engagement, the Bookbug app, and professional learning opportunities and learning resources for people working with children in their Early Years.

The EY Community Engagement Project Co-ordinator supports the delivery of the implementation of the Tackling Child Poverty Action Plan 2026 through the expansion of the Bookbug Programme, working with families, practitioners and partners across Scotland. The role is responsible for coordinating key aspects of the planning and logistics of family resources, application and allocation processes, stakeholder liaison and evaluation activity.

The role involves building and maintaining relationships with practitioners, communities and external partners to support engagement and participation, as well as contributing to communications that highlight the impact of Bookbug, particularly in tackling child poverty and supporting family learning. The post holder will also support wider Bookbug priorities, including Bookbug for the Home and the development of adult literacy support.

Benefits

• Generous holiday allowance
• Employee pension contribution of 5% per annum
• Possibility of flexible working
• Life assurance scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work scheme

About the job

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate the planning and delivery of resources in relation to Bookbug's contribution to TCP, including distributing applications, collating responses and supporting the assessment and shortlisting process
• Support the development and implementation for packing of resources ensuring efficient and timely delivery
• Analyse application and programme data (using tools such as Excel) to support transparent decision-making and provide insights and recommendations to the EY Community Engagement Manager
• Support evaluation activities, including organising and contributing to focus groups and qualitative feedback gathering
• Act as a key point of contact for external stakeholders regarding resources including Bookbug Family Kits, providing guidance and ensuring clear communication
• Work with Bookbug for the Home practitioners and Bookbug Session Leaders to develop support materials that promote programme impact, particularly addressing ways Bookbug can contribute to tackling child poverty
• Provide follow-up support and guidance to Bookbug for the Home trained practitioners
• Support the coordination of wider Bookbug programme activity, including contributing to the expansion of adult literacy support through Bookbug for the Home
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to provide support for steering groups and project meetings
• Work collaboratively across Scottish Book Trust teams to share knowledge, improve processes and support effective programme delivery

You will have:

• Experience of coordinating and delivering projects or programmes, including planning, logistics and working to deadlines
• Experience of managing processes involving data collection, analysis and reporting, including confidence using Excel or similar tools
• Experience of supporting evaluation activity, including gathering, organising and inputting qualitative and quantitative data
• Experience of working with external partners, practitioners or community organisations to develop and maintain effective relationships
• Experience of managing email and telephone enquiries and acting as a point of contact for a service, responding confidently and appropriately to a range of stakeholders
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and coordinate multiple strands of work
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and adapt style for different audiences
• Confident IT user, including Microsoft Office applications and systems used for data management and communications
• Ability to work independently using initiative, while operating within established processes and keeping line management informed
• Strong attention to detail, particularly when managing information, applications and programme data
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and across an organisation to support effective programme delivery
• Knowledge of, or interest in, early years, family learning or community-based programmes is desirable

Other Information:

• The post is a hybrid role with regular attendance at Scottish Book Trust offices in Edinburgh.
• The post involves occasional travel within Scotland and out of office hours work from time to time including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Appointment will be conditional on securing a Level 1 from Disclosure Scotland.
• Flexible working options are available

How to apply

Step 1: Download and complete our application forms

We do not accept CVs. To apply for this role, please complete both part A and part B of our application form, uploading them as PDFs if possible.

Download application form part A

Download application form part B

Step 2: Upload your completed forms to our recruitment portal

Ready to submit your forms? Click the button below and complete these steps.

• Add your contact information
• Click 'next' when you are ready to upload your documents
• Add your title to the document page
• Upload (or drag and drop) the files and click 'Upload' after each document
• When both documents are uploaded, submit your application

(this link will open in a new window)Upload your application forms

If you have any difficulties applying or queries regarding this post, you can request support by emailing recruitment@scottishbooktrust.com(this link will open in a new window). You can find more information about our organisation and our values.