Project Assistant
Employer: The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation
Location: Work from home with regular meet ups with members of the board by MS Teams/Zoom and occasional UK meet up F2F as events allow/required (travel expenses will be covered on top of hours worked).
Temporary: initially on a 6 month contract with opportunity to extend a further 6 months; possible renewal to follow.
Working hours: Freelance/Self-Employed - A weekly commitment of 10 hours per week
Salary: £25/hour
Closing date: 12pm Sunday 1st March 2026.
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Job Description
An experienced Project Assistant role is offered on a consultancy (freelance contract, applicants must be self-employed) basis, initially on a 6 month contract with opportunity to extend a further 6 months; possible renewal to follow. This represents an incredible opportunity for a hands on delivery role to be involved in a very active, transformational education charity.
Key targets for the role are:
Undertake day-to-day administration of the charity using Gmail, Google Drive and a (Beacon) CRM database;
Support the Project Manager in the operations of the charity, including in fundraising, events, and Scholar and partner collaboration, compliance and working.
Support the founder, trustee board and Project Manager to develop strong relationships with core university and business partners, ambassadors, supporters, Scholars, alumni, and Friends of Cowrie ( see https://cowriescholarshipfoundation.org/who-we-are/ );
Undertake social media planning and scheduling;
Support the running of the mentoring programme for Cowrie Scholars https://cowriescholarshipfoundation.org/become-a-mentor/ ;
Liaising with universities and corporate partners to share opportunities and information.
About You
You will be looking for a challenging and demanding role as a project officer and administrator in a fast-paced charity.
You must have at least 3+ years’ demonstrable experience in a comparable role in the charitable or corporate sector, and you will be motivated and passionate to achieve our aims as we are.
Demonstrable familiarity with Gmail and Google Drive, CRM databases is essential (Beacon experience desirable), and social media scheduling would be an advantage.
The ability to be proactive, a motivated self-starter, have discretion and be organised is essential. The role is not suited to entry-level applicants or applicants needing supervision or extensive training.
Experience in Higher Education sector is desirable but not essential.
About the role:
The role is offered on an initial basis of 6 months’ probation to be upgraded to a year, with the opportunity to renew.
A weekly commitment of 10 hours per week will be paid at £25/hour. Times worked will be negotiable, but some key hours to be worked on a Thursday to support the founder.
The role is predominantly virtual and the successful candidate will provide all their own working equipment, including a computer and office space. Annual opportunities to meet up with the board in person and scholars at a fundraiser annually will be available, but attendance for the Project Officer is not mandatory.
Applicants must be UK based.
Administration / Governance
Day to day running of the charity’s ‘virtual’ office (email / Microsoft Office / Beacon CRM database / Google Drive).
Managing correspondence and email flagging, filing, online storage / filing and retrieval of documents.
Setting dates for trustee meetings and updating board papers.
Prepare board notes for regular board meetings.
Support the Project Manager and founder with any other project tasks.
Partner Management
Ensure regular communications are sent to Scholars and universities as required.
Ensure Cowrie donors (businesses and individuals) are kept up-to-date with progress.
Manage administration with regards to university partnerships and annual student intake.
Communications and Events
Support the marketing communication sub-group of the Board; elements will include:
Assist with coordinating a range of events each year including annual summer events and the annual student festival.
Handling and supporting with press / external enquiries for Professor Richard Oreffo.
Assist with implementing planned content through social media to engage fundraising activities, potential donors, universities and students.
Consultancy Terms
The role will be paid hourly - initially typically around 10 hours a week as required (will require typically hours on a Thursday) (timings and induction to be agreed) at a rate of £25 an hour on an initial six month consultancy contract with the opportunity, on joint agreement between the Charity and consultant, to extend to a further 6 months and by negotiation thereafter.
Hours – Flexible working hours across the week – with ~3 core hours on a Thursday. Occasional early evening board meetings (~2 hours, 3 times per year).
Location – work from home with regular meet ups with members of the board by MS Teams/Zoom and occasional UK meet up F2F as events allow/required (travel expenses will be covered on top of hours worked).
Must have access to own computer, appropriate software (MS Office etc.) and phone.
Please note this is a freelance opportunity and as such, will require the successful individual to manage their own tax, national insurance, invoicing and associated activity upon entering a contract for services with the Charity.
How to Apply
1. Please provide a cover letter detailing how your demonstrable experience with Gmail, Google Drive, CRM databases aligns with The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation activities and our vision/mission, why you feel you would be a good fit for the role, your values.
2. Please enclose a separate copy of your CV - 2 pages maximum.
3. Please provide a detailed separate 400 word statement on how you have delivered on a specific project or programme with skills and steps used within funding constraints and how you managed risk/accountability. Applications that do not address this question will not be considered.
4. To ensure a fair and authentic recruitment process, we ask that all applications are written by the applicant themselves. AI‑generated applications or statements should not be used and will not be considered. We want to understand your own perspective, experience, and motivation for supporting The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation. This role will suit an applicant comfortable with being accountable for outcomes and not only activity.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a closing date of March 1st set.
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