Community Development Officer

Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional community development organization in Tees Valley is seeking a Community Development Officer to support Refugee-Led Community Organisations throughout the region. You will work collaboratively to develop and mobilize community initiatives, assess needs and capabilities, and contribute to training programs aimed at enhancing the operational competence of local organisations. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in community engagement and development, with a focus on refugee support. This role requires effective relationship building, advocacy, and resource development.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting community organisations in a development capacity.
• Strong knowledge of governance models and funding processes.
• Ability to facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support development and growth of Refugee-Led Community Organisations.
• Assess needs and provide advice on governance and funding.
• Develop training programs and resources for community organisations.

Skills

Community engagement

Advisory services

Funding acquisition

Training delivery

Job description

Community Development Officer

The Regional Refugee Forum North East are recruiting for 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 RCO organisations 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 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.