At a Glance
- Tasks: Support community resilience and promote inclusion through innovative programmes and activities.
- Company: Join the Community Foundation for NI, a leader in social change since 1979.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, hybrid working, and a focus on staff wellbeing.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive team environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in communities while developing your skills and career.
- Qualifications: Experience in community development and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are delighted that you are interested in applying for the Development Officer role with the Community Foundation for NI. Since we were established in 1979, we have awarded millions of pounds in grant funding to local charities and community groups, and we have also developed numerous programmes to support local communities build their capacity and sustainability.
The Stronger Together Building Community Resilience programme is a new flagship initiative responding to the worrying rise in racist violence, hate crime, misinformation and disinformation across Northern Ireland. Building on over 46 years of experience in peacebuilding, social justice and human rights, the Community Foundation for NI is well placed to support and empower marginalised communities and work alongside them to drive meaningful change.
The Community Foundation for NI is a local, independent charitable trust that provides grants and support to local communities in Northern Ireland. We have offices in Belfast and Derry-Londonderry, although since Covid we have operated a hybrid working policy for all staff.
Mission: Working hand in hand with communities to build a better future.
Strategic Priorities:
- Engaging and supporting communities.
- Driving Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Not doing more but doing it smarter and better in a way that puts all communities at the heart of our work.
As the Development Officer, you will support the design, delivery and development of community-based activity that strengthens resilience, builds local leadership and promotes inclusion. You will work alongside communities, partners and stakeholders to identify needs, support participation, develop responses to inequality and racism, and help ensure that programme activity is informed by lived experience and community voice.
Main Responsibilities:
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with community groups, grassroots leaders, statutory, government and other partner organisations, ensuring experts by experience shape programme priorities and solutions.
- Support delivery and management of core programme strands, including community leadership development, media literacy and misinformation awareness, storytelling and narrative change, advocacy training and community campaigns, and peer learning and community-led initiatives.
- Support the recruitment, development and ongoing engagement of Champions for Change.
- Assist in planning and coordinating workshops, events, roundtables and learning activity.
- Promote inclusion, challenge racism and misinformation, and strengthen social cohesion through programme delivery.
- Support delivery of advocacy activity, including community campaigns focused on hate crime prevention, race equality and digital rights.
- Work collaboratively with voluntary, community, statutory and other stakeholders to support joined-up responses and cross-sector coordination.
About You:
You will be an approachable, dynamic and driven person who wants to help lead, grow and develop this important area of the Foundations work and strategy. You will be interested in creating a society where people are free from racist violence and harm and where communities co-exist peacefully. You will be someone with experience of working within this area and will be skilled in using community development approaches and managing programmes aimed specifically at building resilience.
Experience:
- Experience using community development or participatory approaches, including working with lived experience.
- Experience of partnership working and building positive relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Demonstrable experience working with diverse communities, particularly those experiencing inequality, exclusion or disadvantage.
- Significant experience of working on sensitive or complex issues in a community development context.
- Experience of designing and delivering community-based programmes, events or workshops.
- Proven experience of building and maintaining effective partnerships across the voluntary, community and statutory sectors.
Other Requirements:
- Available to work outside normal office hours, including evenings and weekends.
- Full driving licence and access to a form of transport.
- We operate a hybrid working model whereby staff work both from home and the office.
Employee Benefits and Wellbeing Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years service.
- 11 statutory public holidays.
- Occupational defined contribution pension scheme salary sacrifice.
- Occupational sick pay scheme.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
- Paid carers leave subject to eligibility.
- Hybrid working arrangements.
- Working from home allowance.
- Flexible working.
- Online staff training portal.
- Financial support and time off for training and development.
Graduate Development Management Officer in Belfast employer: Community Foundation for Northern Ireland
The Community Foundation for NI is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a commitment to hybrid working, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, staff are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community. Join us in our mission to drive social change and build resilience across Northern Ireland, where your contributions will be valued and celebrated.
Contact Details:
Community Foundation for Northern Ireland Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Development Management Officer in Belfast
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Community Foundation for Northern Ireland. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Development Management Officer in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Community Foundation for Northern Ireland. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Graduate Development Management Officer, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Community Foundation for Northern Ireland
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Community Foundation for Northern Ireland. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
