Development and Outreach Officer

Heritage Trust Network is the membership body for independent community organisations, charities and social enterprises that are saving, restoring and managing historic buildings, parks, gardens, canals and railways. Our membership includes both organisations specifically set up to save heritage sites, and community organisations that deliver other types of services who have chosen to operate from historic buildings and spaces. We also welcome individuals, businesses and local authorities that support local heritage action. Together we organise conferences, site visits, meetings and online resources where we can network and learn from each other and meet experts and funders.

This is an important role within Essential Networks, a major development and resilience project for Heritage Trust Network, our members and UK heritage. The post-holder will be responsible for developing the Network in Northern Ireland including undertaking targeted outreach activity, recruiting new members, supporting existing members, organising events and developing partnerships. The Development and Outreach Officer will be supported by the Development and Outreach Manager, Programme Manager, Chief Executive, other UK staff and the Northern Ireland Committee.

Job Title: Development and Outreach Officer for Northern Ireland

Salary: pro-rata of £30,000 p.a.

Hours: part time (20 hours per week) with a 3-month probationary period

Reporting to: Development and Outreach Manager

Holidays: pro-rata of 25 days per year plus 3 days shutdown between Christmas and New Year

Pension: as per statutory auto-enrolment requirements

Location: Based in Northern Ireland, working from home or from an agreed shared workspace

Who you are

You are a self-motivated and hard-working team member who is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Team spirit and excellent customer service runs throughout everything you do from timely communication with colleagues, to the satisfaction of a job well done when supporting members and building relationships. You are a natural people-connector and your interest in regeneration, heritage and sustainability in the built environment is evident, as is your willingness to help those who are rescuing, restoring and reusing older buildings.

Key responsibilities

1. Identify community organisations in Northern Ireland who are restoring and managing historic sites (or are concerned about or wish to re-use local historic sites) and promote the benefits of Network membership to them in order to provide access to support.
2. Provide advice, information, signposting and facilitation of peer support to Network members in Northern Ireland.
3. Develop and maintain regular contact with Network members in order to understand their needs and ambitions, to support them and signpost them to other sources of support.
4. Work with the Marketing and Communications Officer to regularly issue a Northern Ireland e-newsletter to inform members of specific Northern Ireland events and opportunities and promote the achievements of Network members through the production of case studies, articles, presentations and through social media.
5. Work with the Programme Manager, Northern Ireland committee and where relevant the Business Development Manager, to plan and deliver Network events in Northern Ireland.
6. Organise and co-ordinate Northern Ireland Committee meetings. When required, organise the recruitment of new members to the committee.
7. Act as a point of contact for the Network in Northern Ireland and working with the Northern Ireland Committee, represent the organisation on networks, forums and committees as required.
8. Work with the Development and Outreach Manager and Northern Ireland Committee to establish and maintain contact with existing and potential partner organisations in the voluntary and private sectors, local government and Northern Ireland Executive and explore how we can work together to promote and support community heritage.
9. Work with the Marketing and Communications Officer and Northern Ireland Committee to improve awareness and understanding amongst statutory organisations, other agencies and funders, as to how Network members can deliver community cohesion, economic regeneration and wellbeing objectives and save heritage sites at risk.
10. Provide regular reports to the Programme Manager, Northern Ireland Committee and Board on your work.
11. Each year, in consultation with the staff team, board and Northern Ireland Committee, identify possible outreach projects and research their potential. Identify and agree at least one to pursue.
12. Undertake research to identify organisations in the outreach project target group, contact them and inform them about the project and the wider benefits of Network membership.
13. Arrange one-to-one meetings with outreach project participants, give advice and signpost to other sources of support.
14. Organise peer learning and networking events, online and in person for the beneficiary organisations.

General responsibilities

1. Work as a member of the Network team, covering for colleagues where required, and ensuring activities are complementary and deliver the Network’s Strategy and Business Plan.
2. Help to champion the rescue and reuse of historic sites across the UK, particularly by charities, social enterprises and community organisations.
3. Ensure that all Network activities and communications to members are accessible, inclusive and of a high standard.
4. Represent the Heritage Trust Network at online and in-person events.
5. Carry out duties in a transparent manner (e.g. using the Network’s internal calendar system, storing digital files in agreed shared places, logging activity on the CRM), and utilise the Network’s agreed digital systems and protocols, and all other policies and procedures.