Job Description

Salary: £37,000 – £55,000 per annum (Band C), based on experience, skills, and relevant qualifications.
Hours: 35 hours per week
Reports to: Head of Community
Manages: Northern Ireland Community Team
Location: Hybrid – part home and part office based at the BDA’s Belfast office, with occasional UK wide travel.
Contract: Permanent, full time (35 hours per week). Some evening and weekend work may be required.
Holidays: 25 days a year plus 10 bank holidays.
Pension: The BDA operates a contributory pension scheme and will auto enrol you in line with its obligations.

About Us

We are a membership charity that exists to champion British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) celebrate Deaf culture and identity, and fight for the language rights of Deaf signers.

We believe BSL is more than a language - it’s a community, a culture, and a source of pride and identity. From campaigning for rights to creating spaces where Deaf identity and culture are celebrated, everything we do is about championing the rights of the Deaf signing community, securing the future of BSL/ISL as a recognised, thriving language, and celebrating Deaf history and culture.

About the Role

As part of the BDA Leadership Team, you will lead Community and Advocacy services in Northern Ireland. You will shape future services, support ongoing projects, and drive initiatives that advance BSL/ISL rights. You will play a key role in delivering the BDA’s Human Rights & Equality and Community & Advocacy strategies.

What You Will Do

Key Responsibilities:

Lead regional projects and services

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for all BDA community, advocacy, and human rights activity in Northern Ireland.
• Oversee the design, delivery, and evaluation of Deaf‑led, rights‑based regional projects and services that reflect community need.
• Ensure services meet agreed quality standards, safeguarding requirements, contractual obligations, and internal governance processes.
• Line-manage and support the Northern Ireland Community Team, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing working culture.

Strategic planning, budgeting, and reporting

• Develop and implement annual regional delivery plans aligned with the BDA’s UK-wide strategy and programme priorities.
• Prepare, manage, and monitor regional budgets, ensuring effective use of resources and value for money.
• Produce clear, timely reports for senior leadership team, funders, and trustees, demonstrating impact, outcomes, and learning.
• Contribute to funding proposals, tenders, and business cases to sustain and grow services in Northern Ireland.

Advocacy, safeguarding, and community engagement

• Collaborate with the Policy team to lead advocacy and lobbying in Northern Ireland, influencing public bodies, elected representatives, and key decision‑makers on BSL/ISL rights.
• Act as a designated safeguarding officer within the region, ensuring robust policies, training, and reporting mechanisms are embedded across all activity.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with Deaf communities, Deaf clubs, members, and grassroots groups, ensuring lived experience shapes BDA priorities and campaigns.
• Support Deaf people to develop skills, confidence, and leadership to advocate for their rights locally and nationally.

Partnerships, representation, and external engagement

• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with Government, statutory bodies, Deaf organisations, voluntary and community groups, funders, and allies.
• Represent the BDA at regional, national, and cross-border meetings, forums, consultations, and public events.
• Act as a visible and credible spokesperson for the BDA in Northern Ireland, strengthening the organisation’s profile and influence.
• Ensure collaboration is values-led, respectful of Deaf leadership, and aligned with the BDA’s role as the national representative organisation.

Promoting BSL/ISL awareness and empowering Deaf communities

• Champion the status of BSL and ISL as living languages, central to Deaf culture, identity, and human rights.
• Lead and support awareness-raising activity, campaigns, and training that improve understanding of Deaf culture and linguistic rights.
• Empower Deaf people and communities to shape policy, services, and public narratives affecting their lives.
• Contribute to national initiatives such as Sign Language Week, International Week of Deaf People, and major BDA campaigns, ensuring strong Northern Ireland visibility and participation.

Funding development and sustainability

• Support the development of grant applications, and tender submissions to secure funding for BDA activity in Northern Ireland.
• Identify and develop relationships with trusts, foundations, statutory funders, and commissioners to support long-term sustainability.
• Work with the Head of Community and central teams to develop compelling funding proposals, budgets, and impact frameworks grounded in Deaf-led evidence and outcomes.
• Oversee delivery against funded agreements, ensuring compliance with funder requirements, accurate monitoring, and timely reporting.

About You

Are you passionate about making a real difference for the Deaf community in Northern Ireland? We’d love to hear from you if you meet the following person specification:

• A strong understanding of community, local or national politics and how they impact Deaf people and BSL/ISL.
• Knowledge of Deaf issues, Deaf culture, and diverse communication methods.
• Experience in advocacy, lobbying, and campaigning to drive positive change.
• The ability to develop compelling business cases, create strategies for new projects, and manage budgets effectively.
• Excellent organisational skills – able to plan, prioritise, and lead teams to deliver results under pressure.
• Experience managing staff and volunteers, with a collaborative and supportive approach.
• A positive, solutions-focused mindset and the confidence to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong IT, communication, and presentation skills.
• Flexibility to travel across the UK, attend events, and occasionally work evenings or weekends.
• A clean driving licence.

It’s a bonus if you also have:

Why Join Us?

• Make an Impact: Be part of a mission-driven team championing BSL/ISL and Deaf culture, creating real change in communities.
• Lead Change: Shape community and advocacy services in Northern Ireland and drive major campaigns.
• Collaborate & Thrive: Join a supportive, inclusive organisation where your ideas are valued.

How to Apply

• Send your CV (including two referees) and a supporting statement, outlining how you meet the person specification (max two sides of A4 or a BSL video up to 10 minutes).
• Closing date: 16th February at 12.00pm
• Interviews: The week commencing 2nd March
• Email your application and diversity monitoring form to recruitment@bda.org.uk (include your name in the subject line).
• For an informal discussion, contact Jaz Mann, Head of Community, at jaz.mann@bda.org.uk to arrange a BSL video call or email conversation.
• We strongly encourage applications from Deaf people.

All documents should be emailed to recruitment@bda.org.uk. Please include your name in the subject field.