Project Co-ordinator (Sponsorship Available) At Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Employer: Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Job Title: Project Co-ordinator
Location: United Kingdom
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year
Job Type: Full-time
The closing date is 23 April 2026

Job Summary

We are looking for a motivated and organised Project Coordinator to support the delivery and continued development of Volunteer Services across Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

Funded by DPT’s Charity ‘Open Up’ This is a key operational role focused on developing a sustainable, well governed volunteer workforce, ensuring safe recruitment, effective engagement and high quality volunteer experiences. The post holder will provide project coordination and day to day operational support, working closely with managers, volunteers, VCSE partners and internal corporate teams.

The role supports the NHS People Plan ambition to attract, develop and retain a diverse future workforce through volunteering and community engagement.

Key Dates

• Interview dates will be carried out in person at Wonford House Exeter
• Friday 1st May 2026

Main Duties of the Job

• Working with the Early Careers and Volunteer Co- ordinator, this person will support with the growth of the Volunteer Services activity across the Trust, including recruitment, placement, engagement, reporting and continuous improvement.
• They will also have a particular focus on building effective relationships with the VCSE Sector to develop a sustainable volunteer workforce.
• Provide advice and guidance to managers and volunteers on volunteer recruitment, placement and management, in line with Trust policies and safe recruitment standards.
• Support the planning, coordination and delivery of agreed project and programme workstreams aligned to Trust priorities.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including VCSE partners, service managers, volunteers and corporate teams.
• Analyse volunteer data, feedback and outcomes to inform reporting, service improvement and decision making.

You will bring:

• Understanding of volunteering and its mutual benefits for individuals and organisations
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office 365, with the ability to maintain accurate records and produce reports
• Experience supporting project activity, administrative processes and service improvement
• Excellent communication, organisational and relationship building skills

About Devon Partnership NHS Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people’s recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do.

Our Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience – we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as:

• Showing a commitment to quality of care
• Improving lives of others
• Giving respect, dignity & compassion

We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by:

• Giving a smile
• Making time for people
• Challenging ourselves & others
• Being open to new ideas

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job Description

Role Overview

• The Project Coordinator -Volunteer Services is a Band 5 role providing project coordination and operational support to further develop the Trusts Volunteer Services, with a focus on developing and sustaining a safe, sustainable, effective and well governed volunteer workforce.
• The role supports Trust workforce priorities and the NHS People Plan by maximising volunteering as a pathway into future careers and widening participation.
• Working with the current Early Careers and Volunteer Co-ordinator, the post holder will coordinate and continuously improves volunteer recruitment, engagement, placement and retention across the Trust.
• Ensuring processes are robust, compliant with legislation, and aligned with Trust policies and national guidance.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide advice and support to managers and volunteers across volunteer management, recruitment, workforce planning and volunteer role development.
• Contribute to wider programme and project delivery.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with managers, corporate teams, volunteers and VCSE partners.
• Act as a point of contact for Volunteer Services enquiries.
• Negotiate volunteer placements and role requirements.
• Deliver presentations and support recruitment events and community engagement activity.

Data, Analysis & Improvement

• Analyse volunteer data, feedback and outcomes to support reporting and decision making.
• Assess volunteer suitability and support risk assessment of volunteer roles.
• Evaluate effectiveness of Volunteer Services through audits, surveys and reviews.
• Make recommendations for service improvement based on evidence.
• Support governance and compliance processes.

Planning, Coordination & Administration

• Coordinate recruitment campaigns, engagement activity, meetings and project workstreams.
• Manage competing priorities effectively.
• Organise meetings, prepare agendas and minutes, and track actions.
• Maintain project documentation and reporting on delivery.

Recruitment & Workforce Support

• Support volunteer recruitment, induction and placement.
• Ensure all required checks are completed.
• Provide HR related advice to managers.
• Offer ongoing support to volunteers, including signposting to wellbeing and pastoral support where required.

Systems & Records

• Maintain accurate volunteer and project records using Trust systems and the Better Impact volunteer CRM.
• Ensure compliance with data protection and records management requirements.

Working Approach

• Work with a high degree of autonomy within workforce policies.
• Manage own workload and contribute to service development and quality improvement.
• Support promotion of volunteering across the Trust and externally.
• Role is primarily office based but requires travel across Trust sites and occasional out of hours working to support events.

Person Specification

Qualifications / Training

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in Volunteer Management, Recruitment or HR

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of volunteer management, safe recruitment and placement governance
• Understanding of volunteering and its mutual benefits
• Knowledge of data protection and HR principles
• Awareness of governance and recruitment best practice

Desirable

• Knowledge of VCSE partnerships and community engagement
• Awareness of NHS workforce priorities

Experience

Essential

• Supporting project activity in a complex organisation
• Using Microsoft Office 365 and reporting systems
• Supporting training or HR-related guidance
• Building stakeholder relationships

Desirable

• Supporting recruitment processes
• Coordinating volunteering or workforce activities
• Presenting to groups

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Strong communication, persuasion and presentation skills
• Analytical and problem-solving ability
• Planning, organisation and time management skills
• High IT literacy
• Ability to work independently
• Mobility across Devon

Additional Person Specification Summary

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree level or equivalent experience
• Continuous professional development

Desirable

• CIPD qualification
• PRINCE2 or project management qualification
• Safeguarding training

Experience (Detailed)

Essential

• Project coordination experience in complex organisations
• Recruitment or HR support experience
• Stakeholder relationship management
• Microsoft Office 365 use
• Handling confidential information

Desirable

• Volunteering coordination experience
• Engagement events or recruitment campaigns
• Data analysis for service improvement
• Presenting to stakeholders

Additional Information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

• Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
• Applicants must meet UK Visas and Immigration requirements including criminal record certificates for certain residency histories.

How to Apply

If this opportunity interests you, head to the company’s official website for full details — click here to submit your application.