Community Engagement Manager
University of Atypical for Arts and Disability

Role title: Community Engagement Manager (Part Time) S02 level

Hours of post: 32 hours per week (or 4 full working days)

Fixed term contract: May 2024 - March 2026 (subject to annual confirmation of funding) Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

Remuneration: Salary is £24,120 for 32 hours per week (£30,151 Full Time Equivalent)

Job Description - Please download the full information pack on this role.

Location:

Office-based location in Belfast with some travel required in Northern Ireland; travel and other costs associated with travel will be covered. Hybrid working can be considered.

The role:

The role of Community Engagement Manager was created to address the developing needs of the organisation and the Arts and Disability and Disability Arts Sector. The role will have an input to all of our community and sectoral development initiatives. This role is funded by Belfast City Council.

The Community Engagement Manager will support the CEO and Business Development Manager with initiatives that are designed to improve organisational capacity, support our membership and deliver impact in terms of equality, access and inclusion to the wider arts sector.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial management

Managing and monitoring Community Engagement Programme budgets (i.e Sign Language Development Fund, Volunteer Programme, European disability arts partnership programme and other related programme budgets)

Maintain clear and accurate financial information for review by the Business Development Manager and Finance Officer and provide summary updates as requested

Keep accurate and up-to-date records on financial spend relating to budget areas for post

Work with the Business Development Manager and Finance Officer to produce quarterly and annual financial reports on relevant income and expenditure for review and approval by the CEO, Treasurer and Trustees

Ensure compliance with the UofA Financial Procedures policy

Support the Business Development Manager in the identification of funding or sponsorship opportunities to maintain Community Engagement Programmes

Programme management and delivery

Be responsible for the overall success of the Community Engagement Programmes, ensuring UofA maintains its reputation for innovation and quality

Review the Organisational Membership schemes and develop and refine a new membership scheme for the organisation

Plan, oversee and manage community engagement activities: the Membership Scheme, the Volunteer Programme (coordinated by Volunteer Coordinator), Access and Inclusion provision (coordinated by Access and Inclusion Coordinator) and other community partnership initiatives

Manage Community Programmes budgets and schedules

Manage and develop partnerships with a range of organisations and individuals including local Councils, Arts Sector organisations, academic and educational organisations, third-sector bodies and other cultural and disability institutions relevant to the organisation

Support the Business Development Manager in contributing clear and timely information to ensure appropriate and effective monitoring and evaluation of programmes for funder reports and applications.

Manage staff and coordinators overseeing the Volunteer Programme and Access and Inclusion provision and other freelance staff where appropriate

Devise, initiate and monitor training programmes for local partners, community groups and freelance staff as required in line with community and stakeholder needs

Hold responsibility for own administration across all areas (where possible, and as access requirements allow) including UofA correspondence, phone calls and emails

Contribute to the organisation and integration of Community Engagement programmes in the annual Bounce Festival

Audience Development and Communication

Conduct an Audience Development audit and member consultation towards the development of a new 3 year Audience Development Strategy

Develop a communications plan for marketing of the programmes you manage and ensure implementation of this plan with support from freelance marketing service providers

Work with marketing and communications colleagues to define target audiences for community programmes and develop marketing plans and content to reach them

Staff Support and Supervision

Support and supervision of staff and volunteers working within your area of responsibility e.g. Volunteer Coordinator and Access and Inclusion Coordinator

Contribute to staff development, recruitment, support, induction and supervision processes where required

Work in partnership with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure accurate volunteer records are maintained

Access and Inclusion

Act as an equality, access and inclusion champion for the organisation, advocating for the needs of members, audiences and the Arts and Disability and Disability Arts sector

Working alongside the Access and Inclusion Coordinator, ensure active provision of services are put in place across all programmes

Build positive relationships and maintain sustainable partnerships with participants and staff onsite and offsite

Deliver presentations to various audiences on programmes to promote work delivered to external and internal audiences when required

Ensure that the Community Programmes comply with best practice, including legal compliance, data management, safeguarding, volunteer support and risk management

Research and develop training opportunities in line with need and requirements to support staff, volunteers, partners and Trustee development

About the Organisation

The University of Atypical for Arts and Disability (UofA) was established in 1993 as the leading sectoral organisation on arts and disability in Northern Ireland. UofA takes an empowerment-based approach towards d/Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people’s involvement in the arts as audience members and as creative practitioners.

UofA specialises in developing and promoting the work of d/Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists and in doing so engages with d/Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse audiences in a direct and meaningful way.

We aim to increase opportunities for D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people to engage with the arts, working on a pan-disability basis providing participative and networking opportunities, exhibitions, Bounce Arts Festival, the Ledger Studio for Performing Arts, training and other sectoral developments in equality, access and inclusion.

Our Purpose:

We want to improve the creative lives of d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodiverse people and help them access the arts.

Our Vision:

We want a society where everyone can positively explore and express their creativity, curiosity and talents through the arts.

Our Values:

Inclusion - we believe that a healthy and stable society needs to be built by all its people working together. We will be open to those of all abilities and disabilities and celebrate the diversity of the society in which we live. UofA operates under the social model of disability which says that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairment or difference. We will oppose injustice and anything that excludes or marginalises d/Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people and others who are considered to be different.

Disabled-led - UofA is driven by D/deaf ,disabled and neurodiverse artists who understand the needs, rights and aspirations of other D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists and acts as an independent voice.

Parity - everyone has an equal right to be treated with dignity and respect, to learn and develop, to access the arts in all its forms and to have their voices heard.

Human Rights - we believe that everyone has inalienable human rights which should be upheld. In particular, we support the UN’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and will work to promote and defend these rights.

Excellence - everyone has the right to expect that all aspects of UofA’s work are carried out to the highest standard. UofA will also support artists to work towards achieving the highest artistic standards.

Collaborative - we believe the organisation is much more effective when working in partnership with its key stakeholders. We value meaningful collaboration and partnership working.

What we do

The UofA has a lead sectoral role in Northern Ireland for:

• enhancing the experience D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people have of the arts;
• promoting work produced by d/Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists;
• elevating the public’s experience of art created or presented by D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists;
• improving arts organisations’ understanding of access requirements of d/Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people;
• showcasing excellence in art created by D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists.

The UofA delivers a year-round programme including:

• Atypical Gallery programme of visual arts and crafts exhibitions and events.
• The Ledger Studio for, training, workshops, rehearsals and performances.
• Partnership work with mainstream arts and Arts & Disability organisations, festivals and creatives.
• The Arts and Disability Access Awards (ADAA), supporting arts and cultural organisations venues to commit to enhancing access to venues and programming with input from d/Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people.
• Sectoral training programme including Disability Awareness; Neurodiversity Awareness; Equality, Access and Inclusion Training; and Sign Language courses.
• The annual d/Deaf and Disabled Artists Support Fund l (DDASF) scheme for artists who are D/deaf, disabled, or neurodiverse, managed on behalf of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
• Bounce Arts Festival, showcasing the best creative practice of work created by local, national and international D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists.

Key communities UofA works with:

• Professional and emerging artists, across all art form areas, who identify as D/deaf, Disabled or neurodiverse.
• Arts sector and community organisations who engage and seek to engage artists and audiences who are d/Deaf, disabled or neurodiverse.
• Professionals in Disability support including translators, audio describers and professional support for people with disabilities.
• People with lived experience of disability, Deaf Community and Neurodiversity.
• Professionals in administrative policy or the provision of services for people who are d/Deaf, disabled or neurodiverse.