Youth Development Officer

Purpose of the job

This is a great opportunity for someone who’s passionate about supporting the delivery of the youth engagement strategy for the #iwill Movement and ensuring young people are at the centre of our work at UK Youth.

The Youth Development Officer (Towns & Cities of Social Action), will support the development and delivery of youth participation in our place-based work with the #iwill Movement and UK Youth Network. You will create positive relationships with local youth organisations and young people, so that our work is driven by their voices and experiences, helping to develop and deliver a range of opportunities and activities to build and engage different communities of young people. You will help empower young people to become active citizens and creative positive change, by creating innovative ways for young people to engage in various networks through volunteering, social action and campaigning projects.

About UK Youth

UK Youth exists to widen the reach and deepen the impact of youth work and outdoor learning. We support a network of thousands of youth organisations across the UK to improve young lives every day. At the same time, we are transforming the policies, investment, and ideas needed to future-proof youth work and outdoor learning for generations to come: 

• We back youth work leaders with the evidence, connections, and investment they need to thrive. 

• We keep youth work effective with research, large-scale pilot programmes, and professional development initiatives. 

• And we work with young changemakers to inspire lasting change in the attitudes of the public and funders.

Key responsibilities

• Ensure partners and young people in our eight #iwill Towns & Cities of Social Action (TaCSA) understand and feel connected to the #iwill movement through consistent communication, engagement in opportunities, and inclusion in movement development discussions/activities.

• In partnership with our partners in the TaCSAs, develop and deliver a programme of youth development and social action activity, with emphasis on those communities.

• Working closely with the Communications team, co-create and support communications that profile youth voice, platform stories, and showcase impact through digital and traditional media.

• Facilitate opportunities for young people to build their confidence, skills and leadership through volunteering, campaigning and social action opportunities.

• In partnership with the Nationally-focused Manager and Officer, ensure young people from our TaCSAs have access to opportunities to influence and take action at a national level as well as in their local area.

• Coordinate and support on youth-facing campaigns and events such as Power of Youth Day, #iWill Week, and key regional activities.

• Ensure opportunities for young people prioritise inclusion and accessibility for those who might need additional support and encouragement to step up and engage.

• Support young people to create digital content (e.g. blogs, videos, social posts) and partner with them to tell their stories across local and national platforms.

• Develop content on agreed digital platforms to engage and connect young people and networks across the UK.

• Organise and manage logistics for youth activities: prioritising safeguarding, appropriate briefings, communication promotion and stakeholder coordination.

• Engage with partners and stakeholders—youth workers, media, funders, local authorities—to build alliances, increase visibility of youth-led work and encourage new opportunities.

• Communicate the benefits of the UK Youth and #iwill Movement and progress against our priorities to organisations and individuals, through a variety of channels, updates and specific marketing campaigns.

Experience we're after

• A nationally recognised youth work qualification or ability to demonstrate experience of frontline youth work delivery, understanding of contextual safeguarding and data protection is highly desirable.

• Experience of working with young volunteers and/or social action projects.

• Demonstrated experience in digital engagement and communications activities—especially creating content with young people.

• Experience of using digital platforms to engage networks and communities.

• Proven track record of project coordination, event management, or logistical planning within a youth or voluntary sector setting.

• Experience working in place-based contexts and understanding how to engage local communities and young people meaningfully.

• Confident engaging with and coaching young people to take on new opportunities, lead campaigns, tell their stories, or influence decisions.

• Familiarity with facilitating groups sessions and workshops is highly desirable.

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave (24 days + 3 days winter closure) plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: 24th April 2026 at 23:59pm (midnight)

Provisional Interview Dates: 5th & 6th May 2026

As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.