Design For Change NI Youth Mentors in Belfast

Volunteer Now has partnered with Be Collective to bring a dedicated online platform for volunteering to Northern Ireland. The platform supports volunteers through the volunteering process and helps connect more people with a wider range of opportunities. There’s lots of great features to Be Collective like messaging, making a profile, and being able to compile all your experiences, training and roles as well as the skills gained within a social CV.

eduSOIL CIC is the nation-wide partner for Design for Change (DFC) programmes in Northern Ireland, and is part of a UN-recognised global movement empowering children and young people to design and lead solutions to real-world challenges affecting their lives and communities. Our work integrates wellbeing, creativity, youth voice and global citizenship through school and community based programmes.

This year, we are establishing a nation-wide team of onsite DFC NI Youth Mentors whose Key Commitments are as follows:

• Time: A minimum of 20 hours total (delivered in 1.5hr – 2hr sessions). You create your own schedule tailored to your availability and the availability of the group you will mentor.
• Training: Participate in online and onsite training in Belfast.
• Timeline: Support your group to initiate and lead a project in their community between Feb - early Sept this year.

Through their volunteer engagement DFC NI Youth Mentors will also:

• Participate in shared leadership, wellbeing practice and safeguarding processes.
• Grow their own leadership capacity within a respected global movement.
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, universities, funders and strategic partners.
• Contribute to national visibility and storytelling through stories of change.
• Represent Northern Ireland within the global Design for Change network.

The role combines strategic contribution with hands‑on involvement in programme delivery, partnerships and mentoring. The team of onsite DFC NI Youth Mentors will work alongside the team of online DFC NI Youth Mentors all of whom will be supported by the DFC NI Programme Director, Programme Coordinators and the Country Director. They will also be involved in a peer mentorship group with Programme Directors and Coordinators in South Africa and Sudan, contributing to shared learning and international, intercultural and intergenerational collaboration.

What are we looking for?

We are seeking committed, values‑led individuals with experience across education, youth work, community development, arts, social enterprise or related sectors. You should have:

• At least 3 years’ professional experience in a related, relevant or complementary field/sector.
• Experience working with schools, young people, educators or community organisations either through professional roles or in a voluntary capacity.
• Strong relationship‑building and communication skills.
• Experience supporting or managing projects or programmes.
• Confidence mentoring young people and volunteers.
• An interest in wellbeing‑informed leadership and reflective practice.

You do not need prior experience with Design for Change, but you should be open to learning and working within an established global methodology. You also do not need to have a background in Education or the Community Sector, yet should have experience with young people, prior voluntary experience in any field and must have a commitment to connect with and collaborate with underserved communities.

We are particularly interested in applicants who:

• Bring lived experience of migration, cultural transition or integration, including previously or currently being in the asylum system.
• Have a creative arts practice in any medium.
• Have experience in arts, mindfulness, yoga or wellbeing practice alongside professional expertise.
• Are motivated by equity, youth voice and ethical leadership.
• Are eager to go beyond the minimum of 6 hours to mentor 1 group of children and young people and are willing to utilise our 1 week or 1 month curriculum to design a mentoring programme that enables the children and young people to get the best support.
• Are open to supporting multiple groups over the course of the year.

This role suits someone who wants to actively contribute and who is excited by working at both local and international levels.

What difference will you make?

This role is critical to eduSOIL’s ability to deliver high‑quality, sustainable youth leadership programmes across Northern Ireland. By having a nationwide team of onsite DFC NI Youth Mentors, eduSOIL can:

• Strengthen relationships with schools, universities and education stakeholders.
• Increase programme reach, consistency and quality across NI.
• Better support young people through mentoring and leadership.
• Deliver nation‑wide programmes effectively and responsibly.
• Build a stronger pipeline of partners, funders and future leaders.
• Ensure NI voices and practice are represented within a global movement.

The contributions of each and every DFC NI Youth Mentor directly supports young people to lead meaningful change while strengthening the long‑term sustainability and visibility of the organisation. All DFC NI Youth Mentors participate in eduSOIL’s wellbeing‑informed leadership framework, including:

• Weekly guided reflective practice (MEtime For Change).
• Online training modules (Design For Change).
• 2 month abridged Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course.

All work operates under eduSOIL safeguarding policies.

How can you apply?

Apply directly on this platform. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 2 days of applying. They will be invited to complete an online application form, provide contact details for two referees and be invited to attend an online interview with the Founder/CEO within 5 days of our reply. The next stage involves background checks which will be carried out through Volunteer Now and consent sought for us to contact referees. This stage can take 1 - 2 weeks. Agreement to participate in Mindfulness and safeguarding training, which are mandatory for this role must be provided prior contractual confirmation. We aim to finalise placements on a first come first served basis, based on our organisational needs. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online conversation with the Founder & CEO.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Identify Your Group: Find at least one group of 5+ young people (13 - 18 years) to mentor between February - Dec. Engage in Enhanced Disclosure with Barred List, participate in Safeguarding Training and ensure safeguarding, consent and ethical boundaries in all onsite youth spaces. Escalate safeguarding or wellbeing risks appropriately and promptly.
• Secure a Space: Identify a community space or school to host your mentorship sessions. Engage in online and onsite training in Belfast to experience our globally acclaimed 4 step framework (FEEL - IMAGINE - DO - SHARE) that has empowered more than 2 million children and young people to lead civic action in more than 70 countries.
• Lead the Framework: Guide your group through the 4 steps:
  • FEEL: Help group identify an issue affecting their lives and mental health.
  • IMAGINE: Co‑create an innovative solution that addresses the chosen issue.
  • DO: Take action as a group to make a difference and address the issue.
  • SHARE: Tell their “Story of Change” to the world, at a school assembly or in a community setting.
• Publish the story: Support their group to publish their story of change on the global Design For Change Stories of Change platform.
• Enable Local Showcase: Prepare your group to share their project at our Annual Showcase at Queen’s Brian Friel Theatre in September 2026.
• Empower international representation: Use eduSOIL fundraising platforms (or vetted platforms) to raise funds for their group to attend as NI representatives at the 2026 Be The Change Global Celebration taking place in Nov in Greece (optional incentive for those who submit their stories of change by the end of August).

Skills and experience gained: Adaptability, Children’s Support, Communication Skills, Community Development, Event Management, Fundraising, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Mental Health, Mentoring, Problem Solving, Public Relations, Reporting & Dashboards, Resilience, Self Awareness, Strategic Planning, SWOT/GAP Analysis, Teaching/Instruction, Teamwork, Time Management, Youth Activities Management, Youth Services.

Causes supported: Flexible - hours are based on your availability and other factors.