Wellbeing Programme Manager in Belfast

The "Here 2 Hear" Project is a major cross-sector youth wellbeing initiative delivered by Habitat for Humanity in close partnership with the Youth Work Alliance, the Education Authority, the Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster, and Fram na ng. Supported by the European Union's PEACEPLUS Programme (Theme 3.3: Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing), the initiative is designed to transform support for young people by building emotional resilience, providing targeted health and wellbeing programmes, and fostering meaningful cross-community connections across Northern Ireland and the border counties.

Location: YFCU Headquarters, Belfast (with travel across Northern Ireland). YFCU operates a hybrid working model.

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for: Wellbeing administration and communications officer

Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week)

Contract: Fixed-term 30 months

Salary: Starting £34,257.75-£36,343.25

Job Purpose: The Wellbeing Programme Manager will lead the development, delivery, and evaluation of YFCU's wellbeing initiative YFseesU, supporting the mental, emotional, and social wellbeing of young people involved in Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster (YFCU). The postholder will work collaboratively with members, volunteers, clubs, stakeholders, and partner organisations to create a culture where wellbeing is valued, understood, and actively promoted across the organisation. The role will focus on improving awareness of mental health, reducing isolation in rural communities, building resilience among young people, and ensuring members have access to appropriate support networks and wellbeing opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Programme Development & Delivery
• Design, manage, and implement YFCU's wellbeing strategy and programme of activities.
• Develop innovative wellbeing initiatives that respond to the needs of YFCU members and rural young people.
• Coordinate workshops, training sessions, awareness campaigns, conferences, and events focused on mental health and wellbeing.
• Produce wellbeing resources and toolkits for clubs, members, and volunteers.
• Ensure all programmes are delivered safely, effectively, and in line with safeguarding policies.
• Act as secretariat to the YFCU Wellbeing and Development committee.
• Member Engagement
• Engage directly with clubs and members to identify wellbeing needs and emerging issues.
• Support clubs to establish local wellbeing champions and peer support networks.
• Promote positive mental health and resilience through club activities and events.
• Encourage participation from underrepresented and harder-to-reach groups within YFCU.
• Partnership Working
• Build strong relationships with statutory, voluntary, community, and health-sector organisations.
• Represent YFCU at meetings, conferences, and partnership forums.
• Develop referral pathways and signposting opportunities for members requiring additional support.
• Identify opportunities for collaborative projects and funding partnerships.
• Project & Funding Management
• Manage project budgets and ensure resources are used effectively.
• Monitor programme performance against agreed targets and outcomes.
• Prepare reports for funders, senior management, committees, and the YFCU Board.
• Support funding applications and contribute to securing future investment in wellbeing programmes.
• Monitoring & Evaluation
• Collect and analyse participation and impact data.
• Develop outcome measures demonstrating improvements in member wellbeing.
• Produce case studies and impact reports highlighting programme successes.
• Use evaluation findings to continuously improve services and activities.
• Communications & Promotion
• Work with the marketing team to promote wellbeing initiatives.
• Develop engaging content for social media, websites, newsletters, and publications.
• Champion positive wellbeing messaging throughout the organisation.
• Increase awareness of support services available to members.
• Leadership & Training
• Recruit, train, and support volunteers involved in wellbeing projects.
• Deliver mental health awareness and wellbeing training where appropriate.
• Provide guidance and support to clubs implementing local wellbeing activities.
• Act as a wellbeing ambassador across YFCU.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Qualifications: Degree or equivalent qualification in Youth Work, Community Development, Health Promotion, Psychology, Social Sciences, Education, or a related field.
• Experience: Experience managing projects or programmes. Experience working with young people, volunteers, or community groups. Experience developing and delivering training, workshops, or engagement activities. Experience managing budgets and reporting to funders. Experience building partnerships with stakeholders.
• Knowledge: Understanding of mental health and wellbeing issues affecting young people. Knowledge of safeguarding and youth development principles. Understanding of the challenges facing rural communities and young people in agriculture.
• Skills: Excellent communication and presentation skills. Strong organisational and project management abilities. Ability to engage and motivate volunteers and young people. Ability to analyse data and produce evaluation reports. Strong IT and digital communication skills.

Desirable Criteria

• Mental Health First Aid qualification or similar.
• Experience working within membership organisations.
• Knowledge of the agricultural and rural sector.
• Experience securing grant funding and managing funded projects.
• Experience delivering wellbeing programmes in rural communities.

Other Requirements

• Access to a car and full driving licence with the ability to travel throughout Northern Ireland.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends to support programme activities and events.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, safeguarding, and good relations.
• You will be required to carry out an enhanced Access NI check.

Key Outcomes

• Improved wellbeing and resilience among YFCU members.
• Increased awareness and understanding of mental health across the organisation.
• Reduced social isolation among rural young people.
• Stronger support networks within clubs and counties.
• Increased participation and engagement in YFCU activities.
• Sustainable wellbeing programmes supported through external funding and partnerships.

This role would fit particularly well within YFCU's wider objective of supporting young people beyond competition and agriculture by developing life skills, personal resilience, social connections, and positive mental wellbeing across Northern Ireland's rural communities.