Regional Development Officer Volunteers – Ulster Region
Location: University Street, Belfast.
Special Olympics Ireland is an all-island sports organisation for people with an intellectual disability. Our Vision is to drive and support a quality year-round sports programme that is embedded in local communities, resourced by vibrant and strong leaders, and offers health and well-being opportunities to athletes with an intellectual disability from 4 years of age upwards. Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to changing lives of people with an intellectual disability through Sport. Special Olympics Ireland has one of the strongest Special Olympic programmes worldwide and we are looking for a motivated individual to join our dedicated team to help build upon our success in the Ulster region.
Summary:
Develop a Regional Volunteer Strategy to expand, develop and support a volunteer workforce, ensuring volunteers continue to play a vital role in the delivery of the Special Olympics Programme. Promote and drive the implementation of effective volunteer structures across projects, committees, events and teams. Meet the resourcing needs of the Region through a structured plan for the recruitment, training and assignment of motivated and trained volunteers. The role will involve some evening and weekend work.
Special Olympics Ireland operate a hybrid working environment and the successful candidate will be able to work between our office and home .
Duties and Responsibilities:
* Develop, manage and implement the prevailing Special Olympics Ireland Volunteer Strategy to meet the needs of the Region and promote the engagement and empowerment of volunteers in key support and delivery roles.
* Develop and implement policies and processes for the management of volunteers in line with best practice in conjunction with the Training and Volunteer Services Department
* Organise and coordinate a Volunteer Support Centre to support the needs of the regional programme.
* Manage the Support Centre volunteers, ensuring volunteers receive the appropriate training, briefing and assignment of tasks.
* Establish a system for capturing and delivering on the volunteer requirements to meet the needs of the regional programme, to include supporting volunteer needs at club and at regional level.
* Support other staff and volunteers in the recruitment and assignment of volunteers to roles within the regional programme.
* Recruit and assign general volunteers to competition events.
* Support the recruitment and assignment of volunteers to support fundraising events and any other regional activity where volunteers are needed.
* Plan for the training and development, support, recognition and succession of all volunteers.
* Assist and support the re-vetting of volunteers in conjunction with the Volunteer Manager in Special Olympics Ireland.
* Play a lead role in driving the integrity and quality of volunteer data to ensure data is accurately maintained, updated and fit for purpose.
* Drive training and practice, in line with the organisation’s policies and guidelines, to ensure that data is managed in a compliant manner in line with the rules and principles of data protection.
* Seek and build relationships with other organisations and/or corporate bodies to attract new volunteers and to meet the needs of the Regional Special Olympics Programme.
* Oversee and manage all student engagement in the Region, to ensure a cohesive and coordinated approach exists with primary, second and third level educational facilities, whilst additionally seeking to promote opportunities for volunteers in the programme where relevant.
* Recruit, train and assign key support volunteers to play an active role in the planning, development and roll out of the key projects associated with this role.
* Liaise and work with staff, committees and volunteers in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the Volunteer Programme. Attend and participate in regional meetings as necessary
* Develop and adhere to budget in conjunction with the Regional Director
* Undertake any other assignments as may reasonably be requested by the Regional Director from time to time.
Skills & Experience:
* Relevant third-level qualification is essential.
* A knowledge of and interest in sport is advantageous.
* A minimum of one year’s experience in a leadership role in a multi-faceted project is desirable.
* Good interpersonal, strong communication and planning skills to achieve long term objectives is required.
* A thorough knowledge of all aspects of Microsoft Office is essential.
* A current full clean driving license and own car or access to a car that enables meeting the requirements of the post in full is required. In the case of an applicant who declares that they have a disability which debars then from driving, access to a form of transport which will permit them to meet the requirements of the post in full is required.
This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing environment within Special Olympics Ireland.
All successful applicants must agree to undergo a vetting process which will involve the following:
1. If resident in Northern Ireland, application for enhanced disclosure through Access NI which includes a check on the Barred lists.
2. If resident in the Republic of Ireland, application for Garda Vetting through National Vetting Bureau.
3. A criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position.
4. Special Olympics Ireland have a written policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders and is available on request.
5. To view Special Olympics Ireland’s policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure Information, click on the following link:
Closing Date: Friday 06 February 2026