Senior advocate jobs in Belfast

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?   

Do you have experience of successful delivery of safeguarding strategies and initiatives?  

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard through a profound commitment to safeguarding, protection and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults? 

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.  

We have an exciting opportunity for a Designated Safeguarding Lead to join our team to Act as the expert organisational designated safeguarding lead (DSL) for all work 

covering children, young people (CYP) and adults in equal measure. Your role will be homebased but may require you to travel to locations such as hospitals and care homes nationally to meet with stakeholders; therefore, a suitable home internet connection is essential.

About us  

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.  

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.  

About you 

You will have at least 2 years’ experience of working as a Designated Safeguarding Lead with line management responsibility, developing, implementing and evaluating of CYP and Adult safeguarding policies, procedures, and training programmes, reflecting current legislation and best practices.You will also have demonstrable experience in leading, managing, influencing diverse teams on safeguarding, focusing on developing a positive culture and promoting continuous professional development. 

You should have experience in managing complex safeguarding cases, including conducting risk assessments, deciding on immediate actions, and coordinating with external agencies and key stakeholders. 

How will you make a difference? 

You will be called upon internally and/or by external bodies as a source of organisational expert knowledge. 

You will provide leadership and accountability for the advancement of safeguarding best 

practices. 

You will work resourcefully and collaboratively across agencies and adapt child protection systems to address risks in diverse social environments as part of a contextual safeguarding approach, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of young people, vulnerable groups and adults alike.

Benefits  

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service  

5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution  

Salary sacrifices pension scheme  

Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary)  

Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc  

24/7 Employee Assistance programme  

Access to remote counselling service  

Paid Disability Leave  

Paid compassionate Leave  

Home Working Allowance   

How are staff supported to work remotely?  

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community.  

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs).   

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach.  

Equality and Diversity 

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential. 

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. 

Do you seek to champion a culture where innovation, learning and cross-organisational collaboration become the norm? Connecting insight with action to reduce inequalities and strengthen community connection?

Involve believes that everyone, regardless of the challenges they face, should have the opportunity to thrive. Using both strategic influence and service leadership, as the Head of Adult Services you will lead the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of high-quality, evidence-driven adult adult services rooted in lived experience, community voice and meaningful partnership.

See the vacancies page on our website for full job and person specification. 

Work with us at NCT

For pregnancy, parents and progress.

At NCT, what we do every day has a real impact on people’s lives.

We’re the UK’s charity for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. For nearly 70 years, we’ve been alongside women and parents, offering trusted information, practical support and building communities.

Today, we reach hundreds of thousands of new and expectant parents every year. We provide antenatal and postnatal education, local and national support for infant feeding and mental health, and we campaign for fairer, safer maternity care. We listen to parents’ experiences and act on them - tackling health inequalities, challenging systems that don’t work, and pressing for progress.

Join our passionate team and contribute to the meaningful work that transforms the lives of parents and families.

Your role will include:​

• Raise awareness of who we are – what we do and the difference we make and encourage people to use our services, support our charity and advocate on behalf of new parents.
• Drive impactful campaigns – Engage parents, policymakers, pregnancy and birth stakeholders and organisations with compelling advocacy and messaging.
• Lead the press office – Develop and implement PR strategies to enhance NCT’s visibility and credibility through powerful and creative storytelling.
• Lead our responsive external communications work – developing thought leadership, reactive comment pieces and content in response to external developments affecting new and expectant parents.

Why work at NCT?

Whether you’re supporting services, shaping policy, delivering programmes, raising funds, running operations or telling our story, you’ll be contributing to something bigger:
a society where everyone who becomes a parent feels confident, connected and safe.

People join NCT because they want to make a difference - and stay because they believe in how we do it.

How we work

We’re guided by a simple principle: no judgement, no exception. That shows up in how we support parents - and how we work with each other.

At NCT we are:

• Welcoming: We are always welcoming, creating connections and building communities.
• Collaborative: We achieve better outcomes by working together.
• Inclusive: We ensure equity and inclusion are core to who we are and what we do.
• Bold: We are bold, brave, and progressive
• Trusted: We provide trusted, high-quality, evidence-based information, support, and services.

We deal with complex issues, make tough decisions, and work in environments that can be challenging. But we do it with honesty, care and a shared sense of purpose.

When you work at NCT you’ll get fantastic benefits to support your well-being and professional growth:

• 30 days annual leave (excluding Bank Holidays)
• Pension matched up to 5%
• Flexible working options to suite your lifestyle
• Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 GP access, personalised counselling, legal advice and more
• Cycle to work scheme to support sustainable commuting
• Life Assurance for peace of mind
• Free eye test for all staff, with further discounts
• Blue Light discount card

Join us

At NCT, we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or within your role, please let us know - we’re here to support you. If you want your work to contribute to lasting change - for generations of parents to come - we’d love to hear from you.

Together, we are NCT.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

At NCT, we believe everyone should be able to shape their own journey - as parents, and as colleagues.

We are taking positive action to increase diversity across our organisation, at all levels, and to nurture a culture of inclusion and belonging for all our people and for the parents and families we support. You can read more about our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion action.

We are committed to zero discrimination, both internally and externally. This commitment applies regardless of visible or invisible difference, including (but not limited to): sex, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity, disability, impairment, learning difference or long‑term condition, religion or belief, gender identity, economic class, marital or civil partnership status, family status (including single parents), socio‑economic background, pregnancy and maternity.

We actively welcome applications from people from communities who are under‑represented in our organisation and the charity sector more widely.

Role Overview:
The Talent Set are delighted to partner with their client on a fantastic Legacy Marketing Manager role. This key position involves leading strategic development and growth of the legacy programme, ensuring effective supporter engagement and sustainable income generation to support the organisation’s mission.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive legacy and in-memory supporter journey across multiple channels, including direct mail, telemarketing, DRTV, digital, and events.
• Manage the delivery of acquisition and stewardship campaigns, optimising existing channels and exploring new opportunities for growth.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external suppliers to ensure campaign success, maintaining strong relationships with agencies, printers, and third-party providers.
• Monitor and control budgets, delivering projects within financial parameters while maximising supporter contribution and retention.
• Analyse performance data to inform strategic planning, reporting on KPIs, adjusting activities as needed to meet income targets.
• Advocate for the legacy programme internally, communicating its value and securing ongoing support and resources.
• Support and line manage senior executive staff, fostering a collaborative and motivated team environment.
• Prepare for upcoming campaigns, including major summer and autumn initiatives, and contribute to long-term strategic planning.

Person Specification:

• Extensive experience in legacy or direct marketing, with a track record of successful campaign planning and execution.
• Strong understanding of supporter segmentation, data-driven insights, and relationship management.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, assess risks, and deliver projects on time and within scope.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with an ability to influence stakeholders across varying levels.
• Experience of managing and motivating remote teams.
• Skilled in analysing complex data, making informed decisions, and translating insights into actionable strategies.
• Organised, detail-oriented, and able to prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Committed to fostering diversity, equality, and inclusion in all aspects of work.

What’s on Offer:

• Salary: £38,000–£40,000
• Location: Remote
• Contract: 12-month FTC

How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.

Commitment to Diversity:
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

JOB TITLE: Northern Partnership & Dog Training Manger

LOCATION:                         Northern Region (Including Scotland, Northern England and parts of the Midlands)

SALARY: £37,000 - £45,000 p/a

JOB TYPE: Permanent, Full-Time and Part-Time applications considered

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.  We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small, but ambitious charity that is a world leader in its specialist, innovative field.

MAIN PURPOSE & SCOPE OF THE ROLE:

The Northern Partnership & Training Manager is responsible for the operational leadership, coordination and quality assurance of Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles operating within the Northern region.

Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles within the Medical Alert Assistance Dog department combine elements of dog training, client instructing, partnership placement and aftercare, depending on programme need. This role provides direct line management and oversight of Northern region staff working in these hybrid capacities.

The postholder ensures consistent, high‑quality delivery of MAAD partnerships, working collaboratively with training, welfare and senior management colleagues to support dog progression, client outcomes and compliance with ADUK and ADI standards.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Provide operational leadership for Northern region Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles, ensuring staff who work across training, instructing and partnership delivery are effectively supported, coordinated and developed.

You will act as the regional lead for instructor‑delivered partnership work, maintaining oversight of workloads, partnership progression, accreditation readiness and aftercare delivery, while contributing to continuous service improvement under senior management guidance.

Reports to: Interim Head of Partnership Services

ABOUT THE ROLE

You will oversee and coordinate the Northern Medical Alert Assistance Dog function, managing staff in Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles who support MAAD partnerships from allocation through placement and ongoing aftercare.

You will provide clear leadership, supervision and quality assurance, ensuring consistent delivery standards, balanced workloads and clarity of expectations for staff whose roles span multiple functions.

You will maintain oversight of partnership pipelines, regional capacity and accreditation timelines, ensuring accurate reporting and timely escalation of risks or concerns.

This is a senior operational role requiring strong people management, excellent dog training and instructing expertise, and a calm, organised approach to managing complex client‑facing services.

Responsibilities of the Role

Hybrid Role Leadership & Management (Northern Region)

• Line manage and support Northern region‑based Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles
• Conduct regular 1:1s, supervision and appraisals
• Chair Northern regional team meetings and provide updates to the Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme
• Approve annual leave and expenses, ensuring appropriate regional cover
• Support senior Partnership and Dog Training Instructor staff in mentoring or supporting less experienced colleagues
• Ensure staff adhere to departmental standards, methods and policies

Partnerships, Training & Client Delivery

• Oversee the progression of puppies within the Northern region and where required, carry out relevant assessments 
• Oversee the progression of MAAD partnerships across training, placement and aftercare within the Northern region
• Ensure client learning styles, family dynamics and individual needs are identified and supported
• Support or directly deliver Partnership and Dog Training Instructor role activity where required, including: Scent and odour training, Client‑specific training, Placement training, Aftercare and refresher support
• Maintain oversight of partnerships requiring remedial training or additional intervention
• Carry out or support final accreditation assessments where appropriate
• Ensure qualified partnerships continue to meet ADUK standards

Planning, Oversight & Reporting

• Maintain oversight of Northern region partnership activity, including: Applicants, Dogs approaching match, Partnerships in training, Accredited partnerships receiving aftercare
• Escalate risks, delays or welfare concerns to the ADPM with recommended solutions
• Contribute to departmental reports and inspection readiness

Governance, Welfare & Compliance

• Ensure all Partnership and Dog Training Instructor role activity complies with ADUK and ADI regulations
• Liaise with the Health & Welfare Manager regarding health or welfare concerns
• Support rehoming outcomes for withdrawn dogs in conjunction with relevant teams
• Ensure accurate and timely record‑keeping within the Harlequin CRM system
• Occasional handling of the emergency phone, liaising with clients and volunteers to manage emergency situations

Stakeholder & Cross‑Departmental Working

• To ensure volunteers and Dog training contractors based within the Northern region are well supported by regional staff.
• Act as the primary Northern region contact for partnership‑related matters
• Work closely with Applications and Welfare teams
• Support fundraising, communications and volunteering activities when required
• Promote best practice and learning across the charity

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Minimum 2years’ experience managing or leading staff in the Assistance Dog roles within an ADUK‑affiliated organisation
• Extensive experience delivering assistance dog partnerships, including training, placement and aftercarProven experience mentoring, supporting and performance‑managing staff
• Sound knowledge of ADUK and ADI regulations
• Strong organisational and caseload‑management abilities
• Confident working independently and managing competing priorities
• Comfortable working in the presence of dogs

Desirable

• Experience working with medical alert assistance dogs
• Knowledge of medical conditions affecting adult and child clients
• Experience supporting accreditation reviews or inspection processes

Knowledge & Skills

DESIRABLE

• Strong practical dog handling, scent training and knowledge of dog behaviour and development
• Excellent coaching, assessment and quality‑assurance skills
• Calm, clear and empathetic communication style
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgement in complex, client‑facing situations
• High level of IT literacy including Microsoft 365 and CRM systems

Other Requirements

• Full UK driving licence
• Willingness and ability to travel across the Northern region
• Willingness to stay away from home and have dogs reside in the home when required

DIVERITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION

We are a welcoming, diverse and inclusive charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Values & Behaviours

Working at Medical Detection Dogs will be a richly rewarding experience.

Our Values & Behaviours encapsulate who we are, what we stand for and what it will feel like to be part of our team:

• We are respectful
• We stay positive
• We strive for excellence
• We communicate and listen
• We are ambassadors
• We are one team

And of course, we advocate for Medical Detection Dogs whenever we get the chance, and we pride ourselves on our role as ambassadors for the charity.

Prospectus is proud to be partnering with our client, a small, specialist health charity dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by Dravet Syndrome.

Dravet Syndrome is a rare, life-long and life-limiting form of epilepsy that affects approximately one in every 15,000 people in the UK (around 2-4,000 people in total). It is a complex epilepsy syndrome so as well as severe, difficult-to-control seizures, people with Dravet Syndrome live with intellectual disability and a spectrum of associated difficulties including with speech and language, mobility, behaviours, eating and sleep. It is also common to have a co-diagnosis of autism and/or ADHD.

Founded in 2008 by a group of parents seeking support and information, DSUK has grown significantly over the past 17 years. Today, DSUK supports nearly 600 registered families across the UK and reaches over 2000 people in total, including parents and carers, siblings and bereaved families. As an organisation they deliver a range of impactful services aimed at improving the lives of beneficiaries through family support, professional education and medical research.

At a time of continued growth for the charity, and as medical advancements in the field continue (including clinical trials for the first gene therapies in rare epilepsy), DSUK are now looking to recruit a strategic, collaborative new CEO to help shape the next stage of their journey.

As the organisation’s new CEO, you will provide inspiring, values-driven leadership across the organisation, holding overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations and long-term growth. You will work closely with the Board of Trustees to develop and deliver the organisation’s next five-year strategy, steering organisational priorities, strengthening culture and ensuring the charity continues to grow, both in terms of scale and in impact. You will lead a small, dedicated, cross-functional team across family support, fundraising, communications and research, driving collaboration across all teams. You will also lead on impact and quality, embedding a culture of learning and continuous improvement. A key part of your role will involve developing and building strong relationships with a range of stakeholders, including families, professionals, researchers, pharmaceutical companies as well as other charities and funders. You will also represent DSUK at relevant conferences and sector events, both in the UK and occasionally internationally.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the strategic direction of a small, specialist, growing organisation providing life-changing services. To apply for this role, you will be a confident, collaborative leader with significant senior leadership experience in the charity or not for profit sector (experience of working in a rare disease, health, disability or patient advocacy charity is desirable). You will have demonstrable experience of scaling an organisation, and navigating the complexity that growth brings. You will be a skilled communicator, confident at building relationships across health, care or community sectors. You will be resilient, adaptable and comfortable with the breadth and pace of working as a senior leader within a small charity.

If you are interested in applying for this exciting position, please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will send you the full job description and will arrange for a call to fully brief you on the role.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact Victoria Savva at Prospectus.

Please note, this will be home-based with regular travel across the UK (and occasional international travel). Working hours are Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:30 (however some flexibility for evenings and weekends is required).

Are you a passionate and creative communications expert with experience in the charity sector, excellent relationship-building abilities and a crafter of persuasive and powerful story telling that resonates with a variety of audiences? Can you deliver compelling communications and campaigns to help increase our income generation and raise our profile with potential supporters and champions? Do you want to be part of a dynamic, ambitious, joyful organisation? Then this could be the role for you!

We are going through an exciting growth phase at the Choir with No Name with new choirs launching and an ambitious strategy to increase our choirs across the UK from six to thirty by 2033. We are investing in our fundraising and comms function to grow our income in line with our bold strategy and delivery plans.

About us 

The Choir with No Name (CWNN) has been building supportive choir communities involving people impacted by homelessness and marginalisation since 2008. We were founded on the premise that singing makes you feel good; it is a welcome respite from the challenges life throws at you, and helps build confidence, skills and genuine, long-lasting friendships.

“I’m so happy to have found CWNN. It’s made such a difference to me. I’ve broken a 25-year cycle with drugs and honestly, I don’t think I could have done it without the choir. I’m not existing anymore, I’m living, and that’s huge.”

- Richard, choir member

Your role 

You will be responsible for the management, development and delivery of marketing and communications to support CWNN’s fundraising strategy. You’ll work alongside our Development Manager to create compelling fundraising campaigns, content and communications, growing engagement from individuals, companies, community fundraisers and potential funders while simultaneously raising our profile among stakeholders through strategic communications and marketing plans. This work includes:   

• Work alongside our Development Manager to create and deliver impactful and innovative fundraising strategies including our public appeals, challenge events and local fundraising campaigns.

• Developing and implementing communications strategies to promote CWNN’s work, managing our social media platforms and external comms to ensure they reflect our strategic goals and values. 

• Producing our supporter e-newsletter, with support from the Development team, to ensure CWNN’s key work, impact, news and campaigns are effectively promoted to our supporter base.

• Create engaging digital content for our website and social media including written copy, video and graphics, to drive engagement, increase awareness and generate income.

• Capturing and analysing key campaign engagement KPIs to inform future strategies and approaches to best engage existing and new audiences.

•  Produce quarterly comms impact overview for senior management and trustee reports.

• Create marketing materials for external use, eg. corporate pitch documents, fundraising packs, gig programmes, flyers and posters using Canva.

• Co-creating case studies, supporting members to share their stories, their way, amplifying their voices and demonstrating the impact of our choirs to stakeholders.

• Co-lead our co-produced ‘Digital Storytellers’ programme with our Community Participation Manager, supporting members to manage their own local social media accounts, sharing their stories and raising awareness of their choirs to new audiences.

• Maintain, organise and populate CWNN’s media library and YouTube channel.

• Write and distribute press releases to both regional and national press and media, fielding media enquiries and building our media contacts.

• Oversight of the day to day content management and maintenance of the website

• Co-ordinate our internal communications programme and internal newsletter, working with senior leadership team.

• Carry out any other tasks that arise that are within the scope and purpose of the post as requested by your line manager

About you 

Essential:

• You’ll have a proven track record in delivering successful, innovative and impactful charity communications content and strategies.
• You’ll have a good understanding of how fundraising and engagement campaigns can convert individuals into donors and advocates.
• You’ll have a creative eye and strong writing skills, with experience of bringing compelling stories to life across various platforms and media, to connect with a diverse range of supporters, funders and stakeholders.
• You’ll be able to multitask effectively, be highly organised with strong attention to detail.
• You’ll be proactive, self-motivated and can identify and act on opportunities as they arise.
• You’ll be reliable with an ability to work independently and have fantastic planning skills. 
• You’ll have a deep understanding of how successful social media content and campaigns work, and always have an eye emerging digital trends and tech.
• You’ll be experienced in using design and web platforms (we use Canva, Squarespace, ClipChamp, Later) to create and deliver professional and impactful digital multi-media content.
• You’ll be committed to CWNN’s values of integrity, fun, family and inclusion.

 Desirable:

• You’ll have a passion for, or experience of, working with people impacted by homelessness and marginalisation, and an understanding of the power of the arts to change people’s lives.
• A love for singing is optional!

We are an equal opportunity employer and firmly believe that each team member can provide a unique perspective and valuable contribution to the lives of the people we work with, and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, ethnicity, religion or belief. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of homelessness. We follow an anonymous recruitment process. CVs will be requested at interview stage.

For full job description and details on how to apply, click on 'redirect to recruiter' at the top of the page.

Salary: £35,668 – £39,005 pro rata
Hours: Part-time (21 hours per week)
Contract: Permanent
Location: Home-based (with regular travel across Brentwood Diocese)

About the role

CAFOD is looking for a Community Participation Coordinator to grow engagement across the Catholic community in Brentwood Diocese.

You’ll inspire and support volunteers, build strong relationships with parishes and clergy, and increase participation in CAFOD’s work to tackle poverty and injustice.

Working as part of a regional team, you’ll help deliver plans that drive volunteer engagement, fundraising, and community action.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver participation plans across Brentwood Diocese
• Recruit, support, and retain volunteers
• Build relationships with clergy and key diocesan stakeholders
• Support fundraising, campaigns, and community engagement
• Monitor activity and adapt plans based on insights

About you

• Experience working with and managing volunteers
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills
• Organised, proactive, and able to work independently
• Comfortable using data to track and improve performance
• Committed to the value of volunteering and social justice

Additional information

• Home-based with significant travel (access to a car required)
• Some evening/weekend work (TOIL provided)
• Part of a flexible regional team (occasional wider travel) 

The full job description is available on CAFOD's careers page 

CAFOD is a welcoming, supportive workplace committed to a safe, inclusive culture where everyone is respected. CAFOD will make reasonable adjustments at every stage of the recruitment process to ensure candidates with disabilities or individual needs are fully supported. 

Safeguarding for Children and Vulnerable Adults

CAFOD recognises the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults, towards whom it has a special responsibility and a duty of care and respect.  CAFOD, and all its staff and volunteers, undertake to do all in our power to create a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse.  CAFOD is committed to acting at all times in the best interests of children and vulnerable adults, seeing these interests as paramount.  Any candidate offered a job with CAFOD will be expected to adhere to CAFOD’s Safeguarding policy and sign CAFOD’s Code of Behaviour as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. This post involves contact with children and young people and applicants will be subject to specific checks related to safeguarding issues. The post holder is required to present or obtain a Disclosure from the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service). 

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, and appropriate screening checks can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. CAFOD also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of, and consent to, these recruitment procedures. 

For over 60 years the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been building a better childhood for all.

Research & Participation Programme Officer
Contract: Fixed-term, 24-months
Work Pattern: Full Time, 35 hours per week (1.0FTE) (We are open to flexible hours and working patterns, including accommodating part-time and compressed hours (0.8 FTE) where possible).
Salary: £34,408 per annum
Location: Northern Ireland. (NCB promotes a hybrid, flexible way of working with 2 days working in the Belfast BT15 office).

The Vacancy

This role will work across NCB’s Research and Participation teams, ensuring children and young people’s voices and lived experiences are embedded in the organisation’s evidence generation and implementation work.

Working across these high-performing teams, this role brings together research skills involving designing and undertaking primary, secondary, qualitative and quantitative research and analysis, combined with strong youth participation practice that supports seldom heard children and young people to be part of influencing systems change.

The successful candidate will work with senior colleagues in the Research and Participation teams to deliver a range of projects and programmes on topics including social care and the transition to adulthood; education; mental health & wellbeing; child poverty; youth violence and early years.

About NCB

For more than 60 years, the National Children’s Bureau has championed the rights and amplified the voice of children and young people in the UK. We interrogate policy and uncover evidence, blending in lived and learnt experience to shape future legislation and develop more effective ways of supporting children and families.

Bringing people and organisations together is fundamental to how we improve the systems that babies, children, young people and their families rely on to thrive. We push boundaries, even looking beyond childhood itself to consider transitions into adulthood and the impact of childhood issues on an entire lifespan. We are united for better childhoods and brighter futures.

The Benefits

• 30 Days Annual Leave
• Winter Holiday Closure & Break
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible Working
• Employee Assistance Programme

Closing date: 8:00am on Wednesday 27th May 2026.
Assessment and interviews to be conducted on 4th and 5th June 2026.
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are actively seeking to broaden the diversity of our staff group and warmly welcome applications from candidates underrepresented in the charity sector, including those from Black and Global Majority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with lived experience of the issues NCB works on.

N.B. Unlike other new roles posted during our period of organisation change, this role will be advertised both external and internally from the outset, rather than internal only for 1-2 weeks. This is due to the requirements of the funder and grant conditions. If you have any questions on this, you will be able to contact the NCB People Team.

No agencies please.