About
Employer description
Youth Focus East and East Midlands, known as the East of England and East Midlands Regional Youth Work Unit (RYWU), acts as hub for developing and supporting youth work in its regions, working with commissioners, providers and young people themselves to ensure the sector is well-informed, skilled and responsive to changes in government policies and young people’s needs. They are a core element of infrastructure support for the youth sector in their regions.
A RYWU collaborates with a wide range of local, regional and national organisations with an interest in supporting and developing youth work. They may lead on multi-organisation partnerships in their areas or might undertake regional roll-out of national programmes in collaboration with national bodies. At the heart of a RYWU is the needs of young people and the youth sector in their regions.
The East of England and East Midlands RYWU is a member of the Network of Regional Youth Work Units: England. This Network brings together independent organisations working across the youth work sector at regional level in seven English regions
Main description
The East of England and East Midlands Regional Youth Work Unit is looking for an experienced youth work and participation professional to help us develop an ambitious new Regional Youth Voice Programme for 2026-2027.
Working with young people, youth organisations and partners across our two regions, you will help create stronger connections between existing local youth voice structures and regional and national decision-making.
This is a 12-month self-employed consultancy commission, offering considerable scope to shape the programme and bring your own experience, creativity and ideas to its development.
The Regional Youth Voice Development Consultant will:
- Establish and develop two Regional Youth Advisory Networks, working collaboratively with the East Midlands and Robin in the East of England Trustees.
- Develop a practical Regional Youth Consultation Framework that can be used by RYWU and its partners.
- Co-design and deliver two Regional Youth Voice Summits, bringing young people together with policymakers and decision-makers.
- Develop the RYWU website as an accessible platform for youth voice, consultation opportunities, resources and learning.
- Support young people to contribute to regional and national consultations and policy discussions.
- Help establish sustainable approaches to regional youth participation that build upon, rather than duplicate, existing local youth voice arrangements.
- Be able to work closely with statutory and VCS organisations at a strategic level.
- Able to generate and apply for funding and monitor, report and generate impact.
The appointed Consultant will be required to maintain appropriate Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance.
Specific Skills required
- We are looking for someone with substantial experience of youth work, youth voice and meaningful participation who can build relationships across organisations and turn ideas into practical activity.
- You will need excellent facilitation, communication and project-management skills and the confidence to work with young people, youth workers, local authorities, voluntary organisations and senior decision-makers. Experience of regional or national youth participation, policy engagement, digital participation or website development would be particularly welcome.
- Most RYWU activity is delivered online, although some travel across the East of England and East Midlands will be required.
- Reasonable travel expenses for agreed RYWU activity will be reimbursed separately.
How to apply
Download and read the Regional Youth Voice Programme 2026–27 – Invitation to Submit Proposals and Proposal Submission Form for full details.
To apply, please submit the completed Proposal Submission Form together with your current CV by 13 September 2026. East of England & East Midlands Regional Youth Work Unit Connecting youth work. Strengthening youth voice. Creating opportunities for young people to influence change. Proposal Submission Form.
Submit your completed form and current CV by 13 September 2026 to admin@youthfocuseastandeastmids.org.uk, marked for the attention of Nichola West. Interviews will take place on 22 September 2026.
Closing Date
The closing date for this job offer is on 13/09/2026
Salary
£20.79 per hour
Location
This job is located in Home-based/remote, with some regional travel, East of England
More Information and How to Apply
About West Suffolk College
West Suffolk College is an ambitious vocational and academic College, with a stunning main campus set in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. We are committed to providing outstanding education to all our students.
