Volunteering and Community Development Officer

Stillbirth And Neonatal Death Society; Northern Ireland; Remote; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading charity organization is seeking a Volunteering and Community Development Officer in Northern Ireland. This role focuses on promoting peer-led activities and supporting marginalized communities in accessing bereavement support. Candidates should have experience in volunteer management, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to inclusion. The position offers home-based work with a salary of £24,800 per annum and requires 28 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Experience in volunteer management and working with marginalized communities.
• Understanding barriers to bereavement support.
• Ability to drive opportunities forward with support.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to recruit volunteers and engage with marginalized communities.
• Coordinate activities and promote Sands events.
• Develop partnerships with organizations aligned with Sands’ work.

Skills

Volunteer management

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Empathy

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

CRM/VMS systems

Job description

Volunteering and Community Development Officer – Northern Ireland

Location: Home-based | Region: Northern Ireland | Contract: Permanent | Hours: 28 hours per week | Salary: £24,800 per annum (£31,000 pro rata) plus £250 Home Worker Allowance per annum (£312 pro rata)

About Sands
The Sands vision is to reduce baby deaths and ensure anyone affected by the death of a baby or pregnancy loss receives the best care and support for as long as they need. Sands provides bereavement support services, accredited training, and a network of around 100 regional groups across the UK, working with government and stakeholders to make reducing baby deaths a priority.

Role overview

The Community Development Officer in Northern Ireland ensures that Sands peer-led activities, including sport and wellbeing programmes and bereavement support groups, are accessible to all sections of the community. The role focuses on promoting activities, coordinating volunteers, and raising awareness of Sands services. The post requires experience of working with marginalised communities and understanding barriers to accessing bereavement support in statutory, health and community settings.

Responsibilities

• Be an opportunity-spotter and connector: identify opportunities to recruit volunteers, expand community activities, and create new volunteer roles; engage with marginalised communities to broaden Sands support.
• Coordinate and promote activities and Sands events; work with Sands teams to provide resources, guidance and support.
• Develop partnerships with organisations, hospitals and initiatives aligned with Sands’ work; ensure ethical standards are met.
• Deliver peer support and activity development: embed peer-to-peer support structures; develop referral routes and signposting with trauma-informed services; support volunteers and groups to deliver safe activities.
• Support good practice in community and volunteer development: provide guidance on inclusive practices, funding opportunities, and safeguarding; maintain records and communications.
• Community in Northern Ireland: collaborate with NI charities, ensure inclusive ways of working, promote storytelling to support national fundraising, and monitor devolved policy developments.

What we’re looking for

Beliefs

• Commitment to equality and inclusion in community engagement; belief in the value of volunteers and peer-to-peer support; empathy with Sands’ cause and values; understanding safeguarding and escalation practices.
• Strong teamwork, with willingness to contribute to a collaborative Community and Volunteering Team.

Experience

• Experience in volunteer management and working with marginalised communities; understanding barriers to bereavement support; event development with volunteers or fundraising teams; ability to identify opportunities and drive them forward with team support.
• Experience working with a remote team and cross-functional collaboration across an organisation.

Core skills

• Communication across diverse audiences; interpersonal and partnership skills; active listening and empathy; strong organisational skills for remote and cross-team work; familiarity with Microsoft Office 365 and CRM/VMS systems.

How to apply

Please submit your CV with a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the criteria, using the APPLY button. Attachments should be named with your name and document type (e.g., Name CV). Complete the Diversity and Equality Monitoring Form and include it with your application.

Closing date for applications: 8th October 2025 | Interview dates: w/c 20th October 2025

Note: Interviews will be held online. We are unable to provide candidates with feedback about applications.