Community Engagement Officer in Bangor

Overview

It is expected that the post will focus on building relationships with deaf individuals, groups and organisations across Wales and supporting community‑led engagement activities. Facilitating interviews and focus groups, and holding presentations and workshops across Wales to engage with local deaf people and ask them to contribute their views. Raising awareness of the project’s newly created platforms and resources. Supporting and gathering data and content for the Hubs. Supporting the evaluations of the work in each Hub. Attending project team meetings to discuss and shape the project. Developing vlogs, blogs, social media content and team reports about the project.

The Project

The Deaf Health Wales project is a four‑year, £1.04 million pound project which brings together an interdisciplinary team consisting of hearing and BSL‑using colleagues from Bangor, Swansea, the University of the West of England, the University of Graz in Austria, the British Deaf Association, Public Health Wales Cardiff, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Centre of Sign Sight Sound in Colwyn Bay and Action Deafness Cymru. The team is comprised of experts and specialists in language and communication, deaf mental health, deaf health and well‑being, interpreting services, the law, and environmental access and well‑being. Working together with members of the deaf community, they will co‑design, co‑construct, implement, and evaluate community‑led solutions for their communities in Wales. This project aims to improve health and healthcare services at every stage through work with deaf people, the NHS, health boards and other service providers. They will also develop an online dictionary and resources to help interpreters, service providers and those interested in signed languages and signed language research, as well as video guide apps to improve access to Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons).

Purpose of the Job

This one‑year post is part of an established team working in the area of Welsh deaf health and well‑being. The project involves working with an interdisciplinary research team on a four‑year AHRC grant on issues affecting the health and well‑being of the Welsh deaf community and developing interventions and proposals to address identified inequalities and issues. The post‑holder will lead on community engagement and help facilitate project events, workshops and related activities that will contribute to and support the project’s research and data gathering activities. They will also be responsible for implementing and coordinating a series of meetings, focus groups, and online studies, consulting with external and internal partners, and handling some elements of project management. The postholder will also help with the project’s communication and social media consultancy and project management.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Build relationships with deaf individuals, groups and organisations across Wales and support community‑led engagement activities.
• Facilitate interviews, focus groups, workshops and events (online and in person) to gather views, experiences and data for the Hubs.
• Support recruitment of participants and ensure all engagement follows ethical, accessible and safe practice.
• Assist with the organisation and delivery of project activities, including scheduling, logistics, communication, and liaison with partners.
• Contribute to data gathering, record‑keeping and basic analysis.
• Produce accessible content such as vlogs, blogs, social media posts and short updates to promote project work and findings.
• Work collaboratively with the wider project team, attending meetings and contributing to planning and evaluation discussions.
• Be self‑motivated, apply and use initiative, aiming to determine suitable ways to tackle challenges and seek guidance when needed.
• Demonstrate and evidence own professional development, identifying development needs with reference to the Vitae Researcher Development Framework, particularly with regard to probation, PDR and participation in training events.
• Maintain and enhance links with professional institutions and other related bodies.
• Observe best‑practice protocols in maintenance and retention of research records as indicated by HEI and Research Councils records management guidance.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder will participate in performance review and developmental activities. The post holder will comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards. The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. They must also comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments. The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.

Person Specification

Qualifications / Training

• Essential: First or upper second‑class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline to one or more of the project’s research hubs; OR Work / life experience to a similar level e.g. reports, engagement, and administration (evidence on CV).
• Desirable: Master’s degree or equivalent (in a subject related to one or more of the project’s research hubs).

Experience / Knowledge

• Essential: Knowledge of working with deaf communities. Actively networks with deaf communities in Wales.
• Desirable: Proven track record in organising and managing events within the deaf community. A demonstrable ability to conduct research in line with the objectives of the project. Lived experience of culturally deaf people. Previous experience in the use and management of online secure software for data collection. Previous experience of data handling, management, curation and analysis. Up to date training in data security and data management. Previous experience of filming and video editing of BSL material.

Skills / Abilities

• Essential: Fluent in BSL (minimum Level 3 OR a native signer). The ability to communicate with a variety of deaf people in Wales. Knowledge of challenges of rural/urban communities across Wales. An understanding of multicultural and multilingual working environments. Ability to travel independently around Wales. Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work to deadlines. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team. IT literacy. Excellent communication skills. Good written English skills.
• Desirable: BSL Level 6. The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable for this role. Evidence of conducting research surveys, interviews, and being involved in data analysis. Evidence of planning skills to contribute to the research project. Demonstrate proven project management skills. Demonstrate good computer skills, including MS Office, PowerPoint, Excel. Demonstrate good analytical skills, ability to analyse numerical data and present results appropriately. Experience with social media platforms (posting, content management).

Other

• Essential: This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.
• Desirable: A commitment to continuous professional development. UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

General

We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University’s policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact. All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.

Disclosure & Barring Service

This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. As Bangor University meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions. DBS checks will be updated every 3 years.