Youth Programme Director – Northern Ireland 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 lead partner for Design for Change programmes in Northern Ireland. We are seeking a Design for Change Northern Ireland (DFC NI) Programmes Director (PD) to provide delivery-led senior leadership for our Northern Ireland portfolio during an initial 12-month term. Our work integrates wellbeing, creativity, youth voice and global citizenship through school and community based programmes. For 2026 we have secured funding from Arts Council Northern Ireland to work with 10 schools, alongside confirmed in-kind support and partnership from Queen’s University Belfast – School of Arts, English and Languages.

This is a hands-on senior leadership role combining documented delivery, partnership development, mentoring and strategic contribution. The postholder will work closely with the Founder & CEO and collaborate with Programme Directors in South Africa and Sudan, as well as eduSOIL’s global wellbeing programmes Director. The role is ideal for someone who wants to contribute at both strategic and grass-roots level, mentor young people and volunteers, and grow their own leadership capacity within a respected global movement.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing leadership for NI programmes including MEtime for Change, Design for Change, Virtual Youth Exchange, Be The Change and Student Council Leadership
• Supporting funded delivery with schools, artists, teachers and young people
• Mentoring youth participants, youth employees and volunteers
• Building and maintaining relationships with schools, universities, funders and strategic partners
• Supporting funding development, reporting and evaluation
• Contributing to national visibility and storytelling through stories of change
• Representing Northern Ireland within the global Design for Change network
• Participating in shared leadership, wellbeing practice and safeguarding processes

The role combines strategic contribution with hands-on involvement in programme delivery, partnerships and mentoring. It is not a trustee or purely advisory role. The Programme Director works closely with the Founder & CEO and is part of a peer leadership group with Programme Directors in South Africa and Sudan, contributing to shared learning and international collaboration.

What are we looking for?

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

• At least 5 years’ professional experience in a related, relevant or complementary field/sector
• 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
• Experience working with schools, young people, educators or community organisations either through professional roles or in a voluntary capacity.

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:

• Are based in Belfast
• Bring lived experience of migration, cultural transition or integration
• Have experience in arts, mindfulness, yoga or wellbeing practice alongside professional expertise
• Are motivated by equity, youth voice and ethical leadership

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 dedicated DFC NI Programmes Director, eduSOIL can:

• Strengthen relationships with schools, universities and education stakeholders
• Increase programme reach, consistency and quality across NI
• Better support young people and volunteers through mentoring and leadership
• Deliver funded 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 Programme Director plays a key role in bridging strategy and delivery, ensuring that wellbeing-centred youth leadership is embedded in practice, not just policy. Their contribution directly supports young people to lead meaningful change while strengthening the long-term sustainability and visibility of the organisation.

All Programme Directors participate in eduSOIL’s wellbeing-informed leadership framework, including:

• Weekly guided reflective practice
• 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme

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

• Lead and support virtual Design for Change programme delivery for NI youth
• Ensure safeguarding, consent and ethical boundaries in all onsite and online youth spaces
• Support trauma-aware facilitation and wellbeing-informed practice
• Mentor educators, youth facilitators and volunteers working remotely as well as onsite
• Coordinate virtual youth exchange and international collaboration
• Strengthen partnerships with schools, EA, charities, funders/partners
• Contribute to funding readiness, documentation and learning evidence
• Support quality assurance, reflection and programme consistency
• Escalate safeguarding or wellbeing risks appropriately and promptly

Skills and experience gained

• Adaptability
• Brand Development & Messaging
• Business Development & Sales Management
• Capacity Planning
• Communication Skills
• Community Development
• Corporate Governance
• Financial Planning
• Fundraising
• Interpersonal Skills
• Legal (General)
• Mental Health
• Mentoring
• Problem Solving
• Public Relations
• Public Speaking
• SWOT/GAP Analysis
• Self Awareness
• Strategic Planning
• Teamwork
• Time Management
• Youth Activities Management

Opportunity full Youth Programme Director – Northern Ireland eduSOIL Belfast, UK 7 hours every week until December 31, 2026.