Community Engagement Officer in Bangor

We are looking for a 0.5 FTE Community Engagement Officer, linked with Bangor University and UWE Bristol, to fill a 1‑year post. The Mental Health Hub is associated with Swansea University, and the Law and Human Rights Hub with UWE Bristol. We welcome suggestions on which university or academic team you could be associated with and are keen to match your interests accordingly. You will work with them on a regular basis.

We particularly seek a deaf British Sign Language (BSL) signer, especially those who live in Wales, and consider the post career‑ and experience‑enhancing for those wishing to develop community engagement, project management, research, and team‑working skills. Educated to degree level or equivalent, the post‑holder will lead on community engagement and help facilitate project events, workshops and related activities that support the project’s research and data‑gathering activities.

Key requirements include a BSL proficiency of minimum Level 3 or native sign, strong communication, management and organisational skills, awareness of or experience with the deaf community in Wales, and the capacity to work independently and as part of a deaf/hearing team. Welsh communication is desirable. The role requires a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. You will be home‑based with occasional travel, covered by travel expenses. The role involves face‑to‑face and online contact with deaf individuals, groups and stakeholders and project team members as the project expands across Wales.

Applications are only accepted via the online recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. Enquiries and support in BSL can be requested by emailing c.shank@bangor.ac.uk. For paper applications, email hrassistants@bangor.ac.uk. All applications must be submitted by 15 March 2026.

Overview:

• 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 gather local deaf people's views.
• Raising awareness of the project’s newly created platforms and resources.
• Supporting and gathering data and content for the Hubs.
• Supporting the evaluation of 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.

Project:

The Deaf Health Wales project is a four‑year, £1.04 million project bringing together an interdisciplinary team from Bangor, Swansea, UWE Bristol, the University of Graz in Austria, the British Deaf Association, Public Health Wales Cardiff, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the Centre of Sign Sight Sound in Colwyn Bay and Action Deafness Cymru. The team includes experts in language and communication, deaf mental health, deaf health and well‑being, interpreting services, law and environmental access. Together with the deaf community, they will co‑design, co‑construct, implement and evaluate community‑led solutions. The project aims to improve health and healthcare services at every stage through collaboration with the NHS, health boards and other providers, and to develop an online dictionary and resources for interpreters, service providers and researchers. Video guide apps will improve access to national parks and coastal paths.

Purpose of the Job:

This one‑year post is part of a team working in Welsh deaf health and wellbeing. The role involves working with an interdisciplinary research team on a four‑year AHRC grant and developing interventions and proposals to address inequalities. The post‑holder will lead on community engagement, facilitate events, workshops and activities that support research and data collection. Responsibilities also include planning and coordinating meetings, focus groups, online studies, liaising with partners and handling elements of 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 initiative, seek guidance when needed and determine suitable ways to tackle challenges.
• Demonstrate and evidence personal professional development, identifying needs with reference to the Vitae Researcher Development Framework.
• Maintain and enhance links with professional institutions and related bodies.
• Observe best‑practice protocols for research records as guided by HEI and Research Councils, ensuring project log‑book records are deposited with the University/Principal Investigator upon completion.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participation in performance review and developmental activities.
• Compliance with University equal‑opportunities policies, Dignity at Work, Study Policy, Welsh Language Policy and Welsh Language Standards.
• Compliance with health, safety and financial policies, including duty of care for a safe working environment.

Person Specification:

Essential Qualifications/Training:

• First or upper second‑class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
• Work/life experience equivalent to the level above (evidence on CV).

Desirable:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in a related subject.
• Experience delivering deaf awareness/equality training.

Essential Experience/Knowledge:

• Knowledge of working with deaf communities.
• Active networking with deaf communities in Wales.

Desirable Experience/Knowledge:

• Proven track record organising and managing events within the deaf community.
• Demonstrable research skills aligned with the project’s objectives.
• Lived experience of culturally deaf people.
• Experience with secure online software for data collection.
• Experience in data handling, management, curation and analysis.
• Up‑to‑date training in data security and data management.
• Experience filming and video editing of BSL material.

Essential Skills/Abilities:

• Fluent in BSL (minimum Level 3 or native signer).
• Ability to communicate with a variety of deaf people in Wales.
• Knowledge of challenges in rural/urban communities across Wales.
• Aptitude for multicultural and multilingual working environments.
• Independent travel around Wales.
• Excellent organisational skills and meeting deadlines.
• Collaborative teamwork skills.
• IT literacy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Desirable Skills/Abilities:

• BSL Level 6.
• Ability to communicate through Welsh.
• Evidence of conducting research surveys, interviews and data analysis.
• Evidence of planning skills contributing to research projects.
• Proven project management skills.
• Proficient in MS Office, PowerPoint, Excel.
• Analytical skills for presenting numerical data.
• Experience with social media platforms.

Other Essential:

• Post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.

Other Desirable:

• Commitment to continuous professional development.
• UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy, comply with Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. Applications can be submitted in English or Welsh. All applications are treated equally. We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. All offers are subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and reference checks. Applicants must demonstrate their right to work in the UK before starting. Visa options will be discussed upon offer. All offers are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. The University uses an external Umbrella body for DBS checks, which will have your name and contact details shared for the process.