Job Title

Centre-Based Youth Worker

Location

Walkway Community Association, East Belfast

Salary

JNC Professional Range Points 18–21: £35,236–£37,737 pro rata.

Approximate salary for 30 hours per week: £30,200–£32,350 per annum, subject to payroll calculations.

Contract Type

30 hours per week, funded until 31 March 2027, with the possibility of extension to 31 March 2029.

The role includes regular evening sessions and occasional weekend work to meet the needs of young people.

The Role

Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be representing Walkway Community Association in the recruitment of an experienced and passionate Centre-Based Youth Worker.

This is an excellent opportunity for a professionally qualified youth worker to lead and develop high-quality youth provision for children and young people in East Belfast.

Working from Walkway Community Association’s modern community facility, you will take day-to-day responsibility for the youth work programme, delivering services in line with the Youth Work Curriculum for Northern Ireland and responding to the needs of local young people.

Alongside direct youth work, you will supervise staff and volunteers, build partnerships, manage budgets and funding requirements, and maintain high standards of safeguarding, monitoring and programme delivery.

This role may appeal to experienced Senior Youth Workers, Community Youth Workers, Youth Development Workers, Youth Programme Coordinators, Youth Services Coordinators or Youth Work Managers looking for an opportunity to lead and shape community-based youth provision.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, develop and coordinate Walkway Community Association’s youth work programme.
Work directly with young people to identify needs and deliver engaging programmes and development opportunities.
Develop and implement annual youth work plans aligned with organisational priorities and the Youth Work Curriculum for Northern Ireland.
Build trusted relationships with young people, providing support, advice and advocacy.
Encourage meaningful youth participation in programmes and the development of the centre.
Supervise, support and develop paid staff and volunteers.
Design, monitor and evaluate youth work projects, including group work, residential and outdoor activities.
Build effective partnerships with community organisations, agencies and youth service providers across East Belfast and beyond.
Lead on safeguarding within the youth provision and act as Designated Officer for the protection of children and young people.
Manage budgets, funding requirements, monitoring information, reporting and relevant administration.
Support fundraising activity and grant applications where required.
Ensure appropriate health and safety, security and organisational procedures are followed.

Person Specification / About You

You will need:

A professional qualification in Community Youth Work, or an equivalent qualification recognised under current JNC Youth and Community regulations.
At least three years’ post-qualifying experience working at a senior level within youth work.
Experience of managing and developing youth services, programmes or projects.
Experience of supervising staff and volunteers and managing budgets and premises.
Strong experience of partnership working and engaging with the wider community.
Experience of monitoring, evaluation, quality assurance and report writing.
Experience of designing and facilitating developmental group work.
Good knowledge of safeguarding, health and safety and the issues affecting young people in a community setting.
Experience of engaging young people who may be considered harder to reach.
The ability to plan needs-led programmes aligned with the Youth Work Curriculum for Northern Ireland.
An understanding of equal opportunities and CRED principles.
Strong communication, IT and organisational skills.
A commitment to improving outcomes for young people and flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
Access to transport, or a suitable alternative, to meet the requirements of the role.

A full UK driving licence, A1/A2/A3 Assessor Awards or a teaching certificate would be desirable but is not essential.

Benefits

25 days’ annual leave per year, plus statutory public holidays.
3% employer pension contribution, with a 5% employee contribution.
The opportunity to lead and shape an ambitious youth programme in East Belfast.
A modern community-based working environment with a committed staff and volunteer team.
Opportunities for professional development and longer-term growth, subject to continued funding.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced youth work professional looking for an opportunity to lead meaningful programmes, support young people and help shape the future of community youth provision in East Belfast, we would love to hear from you.

Please apply now with your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

The closing date for applications is 9.00am on 7th September 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the vacancy may close earlier if sufficient applications are received. Early application is therefore advised.

Charity Jobs NI is proud to be the exclusive recruitment partner for this vacancy.

Programme Development jobs

Centre-Based Youth Worker