Reference Number: V547
Job Title: Youth Engagement Manager
Location: St Thomas of Aquins RC High cxhool Edinburgh
Contract Type: Fixed Term – August 2025- June 2026
Hours: 21 hours
Salary: £15,375 (FTE £25,625)

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

• Excellent knowledge & understanding of the life challenges and issues that young people face in Scottish society including an understanding of “The Promise” as well as understanding of trauma informed practice.
• An understanding of the Secondary education system in Scotland.
• An understanding of how to assess the needs of an individual using a person-centred approach
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including being able to have strategic conversations with partners and stakeholders one minute, and talk to an anxious or unsure young people the next
• Excellent people skills with the ability to build professional, long-term relationships with various stakeholders, to influence and motivate others
• Excellent organisational skills including strong attention to detail, the ability to manage a busy workload, and prioritise effectively
• Excellent IT skills including the use of Office 365, Microsoft Teams and other software packages
• A creative approach to problem solving, an ability to work independently and use own initiative
• Ability to think on your feet, act quickly and respond to situations as well as demonstrate common sense and initiative
• The post holder should be non-judgemental, competent, conscientious and self-aware.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Experience working directly with young people, specifically those that have barriers or who face life challenges.
• Experience of working within a school or in partnership with one.
• Experience in all aspects of effective Volunteer Management (recruitment, training, support)
• Experience developing strong working relationships, with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• Experience of project management, achieving goals, managing a busy workload and working to deadlines
• Experience of measuring the impact of mentoring/volunteering, and understanding the results
• Understanding of and full commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Relevant experience and values alignment is more important for this role than specific qualifications.
Location: A large part of your working week will be based at St Thomas of Aquins R.C High School or visiting our charity partner sites across the city. During school holidays you will have the opportunity to work from home. The postholder will require good internet access to enable remote working, and a suitable home office space. I.T. equipment and infrastructure will be supplied.

ROLE PURPOSE

Brighter futures works with pupils (aged 13-18), we offer disadvantaged pupils struggling to engage with the regular school curriculum the opportunity to undertake a volunteering placement as well as the option of having a mentor. We support and empower pupils to gain skills and confidence in a new environment within the wider community, promoting a sense of belonging, whilst extending horizons and aspirations.
We are looking for a talented, dynamic, and compassionate Youth Engagement Manager to join our team in Edinburgh. The right candidate would be someone who can work flexibly and demonstrate an understanding and total commitment to our organisational values. This role will be working in partnership with St Thomas of Aquins R.C High School, the member of staff will be expected to work within the school.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• To build relationships with secondary school pupils, particularly those on flexible timetables, who have complex and challenging barriers, acting in a non-judgemental way to support them through their Brighter Futures journey
• Consistently role modelling and displaying Volunteering Matters organisational values
• Deliver and develop the Brighter Futures Schools programme within in St Thomas of Aquins R.C High School, meeting ambitious targets and milestones, ensuring all young people engaged achieve positive outcome.
• Provide pre and post volunteering practical and emotional support to each pupil, helping to build their confidence and identify achievable goals as well support the pupil to complete awards and qualifications linked to their volunteering.
• Engaging with current charity partners, not for profit organisations and social enterprises and developing new ones in line with our Best Practice for under 18’s volunteering.
• Develop diverse, high quality and bespoke volunteer placements with third sector partners that reflect the needs and interests of pupils.
• Effective recruitment, selection, training, and ongoing support of a diverse pool of talented and dedicated volunteer mentors from a wide cross-section of the community
• To maintain Volunteering Matters standards around quality and effective Volunteer Management
• To manage all elements of a young person’s experience, from referral to completion of their journey, including managing the match with their mentor.
• To manage the risk assessment, safeguarding, quality assurance and audit processes as appropriate
• Ensure monitoring, impact and evaluation information is collected and that Brighter Futures meets it’s agreed targets, reporting format and schedule.
• Administration tasks including maintaining effective and accessible records, the use of Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom and other software such as Canva (use to develop relevant promotional material and information)
• To work with the wider school to help develop our Volunteer Champions program with S5-S6 pupils, as well as promoting Youth Social Action within the school
• This job description is intended to include the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor exclusive but while some variations will be expected, these will be at an appropriate level for the role.