VCS Engagement & Communications Officer Youth

Dorset Youth is looking for an organised, motivated and relationship‑driven individual to join our team as our new VCS Engagement & Communications Officer. This is a unique role that blends sector engagement with digital communications – perfect for someone who thrives in a varied, people‑focused and creative environment.

You’ll play a key part in supporting the 0–25 Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) across Dorset, helping organisations feel connected, informed and represented. At the same time, you will lead our social media and communications activity, ensuring that Dorset Youth’s work – and the work of the wider sector – has a strong, visible and engaging presence.

As the VCS Engagement & Communications Officer, you will:

• Coordinate and organise the 0–25 VCS Forum, including meetings, agendas, communications, and follow-ups.
• Build strong relationships with youth organisations, partners, and stakeholders across Dorset.
• Visit VCS groups, listen to their needs, and help connect them to opportunities, support and information.
• Represent the 0–25 sector in local networks and meetings.
• Help drive collaboration, visibility and shared learning across the county.

• Manage Dorset Youth’s social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, Tik Tok).
• Create engaging content such as graphics, videos, stories, newsletters and press releases.
• Develop a clear and consistent communications style that reflects our values and purpose.
• Support updates to our website and digital platforms.
• Promote events, opportunities and initiatives across the sector.

This role requires someone who can switch comfortably between strategic engagement, relationship building, and creative communications – no two days will look the same.

We’re looking for a confident, proactive person who can step into a busy role straight away. You’ll be great with people, highly organised, and passionate about supporting Dorset’s voluntary and community sector.

• Experience in community engagement, partnership work or coordination roles.
• Experience managing social media and creating high-quality digital content.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills and the confidence to manage meetings, priorities and deadlines independently.
• Able to build rapport quickly and work collaboratively with partners.
• IT confident and comfortable using digital tools.

• Understanding of the VCS landscape and challenges facing organisations working with children and young people.
• Graphic design, video editing or digital storytelling skills.
• Experience analysing social media performance.
• Experience working in youth work or the 0–25 sector.
• Experience coordinating forums, multi‑agency meetings or networks.
• Ability to travel across Dorset.

By joining Dorset Youth, you’ll be part of a passionate, friendly and dedicated team focused on strengthening the youth sector and improving opportunities for children, young people and families.

You’ll have the freedom to shape how we communicate, the chance to connect with inspiring organisations across Dorset, and a role where your work creates visible, meaningful impact.

Whilst we would prefer a hands‑on, Dorset‑connected approach to the role, we will consider remote or hybrid working for the right person. If working remotely, you would be expected to attend key face‑to‑face Forum meetings and partnership events across the year to support relationship building and sector engagement.

Post offered subject to DBS, appropriate to the role and 2 references.

Applications close at midnight on 8 March, with interviews scheduled for 17 March.