Initial response team leader jobs in Belfast
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RESPONSIBILITIES:
Outreach, Wheelchair Skills and Wider Engagement
· Engage the widest possible range of people with spinal cord injury to sign up for further contact with Back Up, through organising and/or delivering wheelchair skills training sessions and talks for patients and families at the spinal cord injury centre in the region, general hospitals and with other key partners or locations as identified.
· Coordinate, support and manage volunteer trainers who are helping to deliver sessions and talking to patients and families.
· Lead, sustain and develop strong and effective working relationships with a wide range of health professionals and other charity representatives e.g. through presentations, calls and meetings, to ensure that people access seamless support.
Proactive Contact with People Affected by Spinal Cord Injury
· Maintain and support relationships with a large number of people affected by SCI (adults, children and young people and their parents) through regular proactive contact. This could be in person in the spinal cord injury centre, other settings or through events, telephone contact or other interactions.
· Explore their feelings, wishes and needs and provide tailored peer support to help them feel supported, access relevant services from Back Up and elsewhere through proactive referrals, and become more aware of the possibilities of life after SCI.
Networking, Partnerships and Sustainability
· Develop and maintain a map of touchpoints in the region, where people with an SCI will come into contact.
· Develop partnerships, referral routes and signposting processes to develop reach beyond the spinal cord injury centre.
· Develop and manage a network of community ambassador volunteers to support the wider work and sustainability of Back Up through fundraising and other related activities.
· Take a lead on encouraging localised fundraising activity; working towards wider income targets that support ongoing sustainability.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
· Maintaining accurate records on the database.
· Work as a team, consulting with others to ensure you give and receive high quality support.
· Keep Back Up informed of the issues affecting the people you are supporting and of developments at the spinal cord injury centre, general hospitals and other settings.
· Input into team planning and activities.
· Manage the budget relating to activities in your region.
· Help recruit new volunteers as needed to ensure a diverse team representing Back Up.
· Other duties as required by the Regional Outreach & Engagement Team Leader.
The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be expected within the scope of this role.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Essential:
- Experience of working to support vulnerable people to achieve goals/move forward in life
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- High standard of IT including experience of using databases and MS Office
- Self-starter; highly organised, able to drive own workload
- A creative and proactive approach to all areas of work with a 'can do' attitude, in line with the charity's values
- Commitment to delivering a high-quality service
- Respect for confidentiality
- Suitable to work safely and appropriately with children and vulnerable people
- Strong team working orientation with a flexible and adaptable approach to work demands across the whole organisation, a real people person
- Respect for others; able to work in a way that respects diversity and values equality
- Great listener, warmth, empathy, respect for everybody. Able to be non-judgmental and focus on the individual and their needs
- Willing and able to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends including overnight stays
- GCSE Maths and English A-C or equivalent
Desirable:
- Spinal cord injured person or family member
- Experience of working with and supporting volunteers
- Experience of working with people in trauma
- Presentation skills and the ability to manage a group
- Proactive approach to own support needs, health & wellbeing
- An understanding of the needs of people adjusting to life with spinal cord injury
• Please Note: We currently review application only through Charity Jobs ATS. Please apply through Charity jobs as we will not be accepting offline applications.
• Charity Jobs will ask you for a CV & Cover Letter (saying why you want the job and explaining how you meet the criteria in the job description. This statement is crucial; CVs alone will not be accepted).
• Please complete equal opportunities form on charity Jobs. This form will be kept separate from your application and not viewed by the recruiting manager. It is used to help us assess the diversity of our applicants to ensure our processes are fair to all. It is optional to fill in, but it will help us improve and maintain high standards.
We will acknowledge receipt of your ap
Registered Charity
At Back Up, our vision is a world where everyone affected by spinal cord injury can reach their full potential.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Head of Communications & Public Affairs
Salary: Up to £62k depending on experience
Location: Remote, with regular planned travel nationwide, particularly to London and the South, plus attendance at monthly and quarterly team meetings
Hours: Full Time, 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
We're looking for an exceptional communications leader to join Help for Heroes as our Head of Communications & Public Affairs. This is a rare opportunity to shape how one of the UK's most recognised charities engages with the media, policymakers, supporters and the wider public, ensuring the voices of veterans and their families are heard where it matters most.
Leading our integrated communications, public affairs, policy and PR activity, you'll develop influential campaigns that continue to strengthen our reputation, support fundraising and drive meaningful change for the Armed Forces community. Working closely with senior leaders across the charity, you'll act as a trusted adviser, bringing insight into the political, media and stakeholder landscape while helping to navigate the opportunities and risks that affect our mission.
This is a high-profile leadership role for someone who combines strategic thinking with outstanding delivery, thrives on building influential relationships and wants to use their expertise to create lasting impact for those who have served our country.
Please see below for more information on what just might be your future role.
About the Role
As Head of Communications & Public Affairs, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping how the charity is seen, heard and understood by the public, media, policymakers and supporters. Ensuring the experiences of veterans and their families remain at the heart of national conversations and decision-making.
- Developing and delivering an integrated communications, public affairs and policy strategy that advances the charity's mission and influence.
- Leading high-profile campaigns that raise awareness, support fundraising objectives and drive systemic change for the Armed Forces community.
- Building influential relationships with media, government, political stakeholders, partner organisations and sector leaders.
- Acting as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, providing strategic counsel on reputation, stakeholder engagement, public policy and emerging issues
- Leading the charity's press office, crisis communications activity, ambassador programme and external reputation management
- Developing, inspiring and coaching a high-performing team, fostering innovation, collaboration and measurable impact.
About You
Are you a strategic communications leader who knows how to turn insight into action and ambition into results?
Do you have a strong track record of leading integrated communications, public affairs, policy or campaigning activity that has built reputation, influenced decision-makers and delivered measurable impact?
Can you confidently navigate complex issues, build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and provide clear, credible counsel?
Are you equally comfortable shaping long-term strategy, responding to fast-moving external events and spotting opportunities to raise the profile and influence of an organisation?
If you're passionate about telling powerful stories, understand the UK media and political landscape, and enjoy leading talented teams to achieve ambitious goals, we'd love to hear from you.
You'll bring significant senior-level experience across communications, public affairs or policy, alongside expertise in media relations, stakeholder engagement and reputation management.
Most importantly, you'll be motivated by the opportunity to use your skills, networks and leadership to improve outcomes for veterans and their families.
About the Team
You’ll join our ambitious Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs directorate, a team dedicated to amplifying the voices of veterans and their families and ensuring their experiences influence public understanding and decision-making.
We are a collaborative, creative, and purpose-driven team that works across the charity to tell powerful stories, build meaningful relationships and create lasting impact. Together, we’re passionate about helping the Armed Forces community get the support they deserve.
In return we can offer you:
- Belonging to a team who make a difference to our community and value equality, diversity and inclusion.
- 29 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, regardless of service — plus your birthday off to celebrate!
- Opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days annual leave per year.
- Added to our free health scheme from day one, including discounts on dental, opticians, massages, and more - with the option to upgrade.
- 3 volunteer days per year to support the Help for Heroes community.
- A generous salary sacrifice pension scheme with an 8% employer contribution and a minimum 3% employee contribution, plus life insurance up to 4× salary as an active member.
Closing date: 23rd August 2026
Interview Process: Two stage process with an initial competency based interview and second round stage involving a task.
First round interviews to be held in person or via Teams 4th/7th/8th or 9th September.
Second Round in person 16th or 22nd September.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high number of strong applications.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
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The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.