Open Book Prison Programme Co-ordinator
This post is initially a one year freelance position to support our Prison Programme in an administrative role. Predominantly requiring remote working, the engagement is for 110 hours from 1 April 2025 which we envisage equating to 10 hours per month over 11 months although there is a degree of autonomy and flexibility for the successful applicant to manage their workload. The rate of pay is £20 per hour.
About Open Book
Since March 2013 Open Book (openbookreading.com) has run shared reading and creative writing sessions for adults. In our 2024/25 year, we’ll have delivered well over 1100 sessions in around 80 locations – from Shetland to Stranraer and in places like Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee and in the Central Belt. We work in a number of sectors – libraries, health care settings, with refugees and migrants, community groups, libraries, other public settings and in 6 Scottish prisons. The role advertised here relates to our shared reading programme in those prisons (HMP Barlinnie, HMP Glenochil, HMP Low Moss, HMP Dumfries, HMP Greenock and HMPYOI Polmont). In those sessions, stories and poems are read aloud then discussed in a relatively relaxed and informal setting.
Applicant Requirements
The successful candidate will:
- Have experience of working in prisons and knowledge of the Scottish Prison system.
- Have experience of working in an administrative role and be able to demonstrate good organisation skills, attention to detail and the ability to take the initiative/plan ahead.
- Be a confident communicator able to work with our Lead Leader and office teams, the Scottish Prison Service, individual (and varying) prison regimes and the Education Departments in each prison setting.
- Be an ambassador for Open Book in your role.
Key Responsibilities
- Liaise with Prison Programme Lead Readers in respect of session timings, and coordinate their receipt of materials for sessions from the Open Book library.
- Review weekly session feedback forms and liaise with the Open Book office team in relation to any issues arising.
- Organise and keep updated Enhanced Disclosure paperwork and any training (including PPT training) required by liaising with Lead Readers/ Education Departments as required.
- Keep updated and regularly review all Open Book policies, documentation and the Prison Lead Reader Handbook.
- Coordinate and attend regular catch-up/peer knowledge exchange sessions using Zoom with Prison Programme Lead Readers and the Open Book office team.
- Support the Open Book office team to coordinate an author visit in each prison during the year.
Application Process
Please submit a CV to amy@openbookreading.com by 12pm on Friday 7 March 2025 outlining any experience you feel would be relevant, along with a covering letter telling us why you are eligible for this work. A shortlist of applicants will be invited for an interview over Zoom. The successful applicant may be expected to attend a short paid training session (also on Zoom). Please direct any questions related to the application to amy@openbookreading.com.
