Community Development Officer

VONNE (Voluntary Organisations' Network North East); Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused organization in the Northeast is seeking a Community Development Officer to support Refugee-led community organizations. Responsibilities include providing advice, developing new RCOs, fostering relationships with funders, and ensuring community engagement in local decision-making. The ideal candidate should possess strong community engagement skills, knowledge of funding opportunities, and experience in organizational development. This is a full-time permanent position based in Middlesbrough, with a salary of £28,000 per annum.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing community organizations and fostering relationships.
• Ability to assess development needs of Refugee-Led Community Organizations.
• Knowledge of funding opportunities for community projects.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and growth of Refugee-Led Community Organizations.
• Provide information and advice services to RCOs across the Northeast.
• Develop relationships with local decision-makers and funders.
• Maintain awareness of relevant policy developments.

Skills

Community engagement

Development of community organizations

Collaboration

Funding knowledge

Job description

Contract Type: Permanent
Role Type: Employment
Hours: Full time
Application deadline: Monday, January 19, 2026 - 17:00
Based: Middlesbrough
Salary: £28,000 Per Annum
Salary Type: Fixed Salary
Location: Teesside

Overview

The Regional Refugee Forum North East is recruiting a Community Development Officer to support Refugee‑Led Organisations and Community Mobilisers across the North East Region, to work together to bring change in policy and practice which affects refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

Responsible To

The Trustees of the Regional Refugee Forum North East.

Job Purpose

Support the development, improvement and growth of Refugee‑Led Community Organisations across the Northeast of England.

Closing Date for Applications

Monday 19 January 2026.

Main Duties

1.0 Refugee‑Led Community Organisation (RCO) Development

• Provide a range of information and advice services that support the development of RCOs across the Northeast, including setting up an organisation, governance models, funding advice, policies and procedures, and good practice in running and developing organisations.
• Assess the development needs of RCOs and put in place agreements for support against which progress can be measured.
• Identify community skills, assets and needs as well as encouraging and facilitating peer support and collaboration among RCOs.
• Support the development of new RCOs and help to develop ideas for voluntary and community action.
• Support local RCOs to develop their approach and response to the ever‑changing needs of people seeking asylum and refugees, paying attention to the needs and aspirations of both newly arrived and established community members.

2.0 Key Relationships

• Develop relationships that will support and promote community engagement in local decision‑making.
• Develop new and existing relationships with RCOs and others that will support and enable collaborative working.
• Develop relationships with funders to promote and encourage investment in the region’s RCOs, including the organisation and delivery of funding events.
• Promote and support the involvement of RCOs, ensuring the voices of local people and groups are heard.

3.0 Information, Resources and Training

• Maintain awareness of policy and other developments relevant to this work through reading, attendance at meetings, conferences etc.
• Maintain a range of appropriate resources in a variety of formats that support good governance and good practice.
• Actively seek out opportunities to attract additional funding and in‑kind support into Northeast RCOs.
• Develop and maintain online tools to help local RCOs access information about funding and other opportunities.
• Contribute to the production of information materials, including website content, bulletins and social media.
• Take a lead role in the planning, delivery and evaluation of a high‑quality training programme for RCOs, working with others as appropriate.

4.0 Other

• Undertake training in line with Regional Refugee Forum North East requirements and personal development plans agreed with the trustees.
• Take responsibility for meeting all relevant targets and deadlines.
• Participate fully as a member of the staff team, attending meetings, sharing information and covering other posts during staff sickness etc.
• Contribute to organisational planning and policy at the Regional Refugee Forum North East.
• Undertake work in support of income generation activity, including contributing and/or leading funding applications, tenders etc. as agreed with the trustees.
• Carry out all work with reference to Regional Refugee Forum North East policies, procedures and values.
• Contribute to the maintenance of a working environment in which diversity is respected, and equality of opportunity is promoted.
• Undertake other duties as required by the trustees.

Contact

To find out more and to request an application pack, please email John Atkinson at [e-mail] or call 07852 269486.