Community Engagement Officer

Job Title: Community Engagement Officer – Cymru/Wales (2 posts available)

Salary: £10,000 (full time equivalent £25,000)

Reports to: BDA Cymru Manager

Manages: None but potential to supervise volunteers

Location:

• Post 1: Home based in North Wales
• Post 2: Home based anywhere in Wales

Contract: Each post – 14 hours per week for duration of project (3 years). A willingness to work some evenings and weekends is required.

Holidays: Pro rata of 25 days a year plus Bank Holidays

Pension: BDA operates an auto-enrolled, contributory pension scheme in accordance with its auto-enrolment obligations

Purpose of the ‘Deaf Cymru Access’ Project

British Deaf Association Cymru (BDA Cymru) will enable and empower Deaf people in Wales to establish and grow support networks. The project will address obstacles to accessing essential services and facilities, collaborate with Deaf individuals in Wales who are denied access to opportunities, as well as working with individuals and groups to encourage the transition to inclusive practices. They will establish Regional Member Forums, run a helpline, provide resources and templates and collect research information on key issues of concern for Deaf people in Wales.

About the Role

These are two exciting roles for Community Engagement Officers to join the BDA as we expand our work remit within Wales. The postholders will work with the project team to ensure the aims of the DEAF CYMRU ACCESS project are achieved along with an excellent quality of delivery. This project was funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

Main Tasks

• Engaging members of the Deaf community in Wales to build positive and sustainable relationships between them and BDA, local public services and other stakeholders.
• Assist in the development of project activities, resources and materials, and then deliver or disseminate these as directed by the Manager/project plan.
• Support the delivery of our Cymru BSL Helpline (remotely and in person).
• Record data for monitoring, evaluation and learning purposes.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Engagement: Support Deaf people to get involved in Deaf Cymru Access and to use our Cymru BSL Helpline.
• Co-ordinate: Activities such as Deaf groups, Helpline sessions.
• Collaboration: Share resources, information and activities with public sector agencies and other stakeholders in partnership with members of the Wales Deaf Community.
• Training: Deliver or support workshops that upskill the Deaf community to give them the optimum opportunity for involvement and contribution to the project.
• Information gathering: Work closely with the BDA’s Research and Policy team when necessary to ensure full information is available.
• Records and reporting: Keep records of activities to help your Manager track the progress of the project, contributions to the activities outlined in the funding conditions, and ensure monitoring and evaluation information is collected and outcomes can be evidenced.
• Representing the BDA: Engage members of the Deaf community to work with you in presenting the BDA within the scope of the project.
• Ownership and accountability: Share responsibility for delivering the objectives of the project/grant funding and in the wider context of the work of the BDA and undertake any other duties of a related nature that might reasonably be required and allocated by the manager or the BDA.

Person Specification

Skills / Experience

• The successful candidate must be a fluent BSL signer with direct experience of the Deaf community in Wales/UK.
• We are interested in transferable skills from lived experience, family life, volunteering or work experience.

Key Requirements

• Experience of positively and productively engaging Deaf BSL signers, public sector agencies and other stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to deliver information, advice and guidance to Deaf BSL signers via our new Helplines (remotely by video and in person).
• Ability to work with public sector agencies to promote BSL access toolkits and information to enhance their accessibility to Deaf BSL signers.
• Ability to bring together Deaf BSL signers in groups to deliver workshops and information sessions. Also, to identify and work with Deaf leaders to support our work.
• Experience and digital skills in using Microsoft 365, client databases, as well as digital platforms such as Zoom, MS Teams, WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.
• Knowledge and understanding of, and commitment to, equal opportunities, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
• Knowledge and understanding of GDPR and maintaining confidentiality.
• Recording project data and evaluation as directed by the Manager. Also, to report any learning or feedback where applicable.

Desirable Requirements

• Good understanding of the barriers faced by Deaf BSL signers of all backgrounds.
• Understanding of the public sector in Wales, especially health and social care.
• Experience in researching local information to inform the Information packs for Deaf BSL signers.
• Experience in recruiting and working with volunteers.
• Qualifications in Advice & Guidance and/or Advocacy would be an advantage.
• Ability to create BSL videos and other BSL accessible resources.
• Good presentation skills.

Other Requirements

• A commitment to contributing to a fair, compassionate and diverse working environment.
• A passion for the BDA’s values and work.

Key Dates

For an informal chat about this position or if you have any questions, please email [email protected]

To apply, please submit your application form, monitoring form and a supporting statement (maximum of two sides of A4 or a BSL video of up to 5 minutes via WeTransfer) covering the following three points:

1. Tell us what expertise, skills and knowledge you would bring to this role. If you do not have professional experience, tell us what volunteering, work experience, or life experience you would bring to role and how that will help you work successfully with us.
2. What are your most impactful BSL related achievements to date?
3. How do you feel your approach to work fits with our values?

Deadline for applications: 28th April 2025

Interviews: TBC (held in person at the BDA Cardiff office or via Zoom).

The application form and monitoring form can be downloaded from bda.org.uk/current-opportunities

Please email your application to: [email protected] with the subject ‘Community Engagement Officer Cymru’. Applications via recruitment agencies will be rejected.

Thank you for your interest.