Join our Committee for Northern Ireland

Join our Committee for Northern Ireland

Natural landscape nearby body of water with mountains in background
Murlough National Nature Reserve. Credit: National Trust
We are seeking three new Committee members who can help us steer a course for heritage in Northern Ireland – apply by Sunday 6 February 2022.

In this exciting opportunity, you’ll help us inspire, lead and resource heritage in Northern Ireland.

It is a real privilege to be supporting work which makes such a difference to communities, the environment, wildlife and many more aspects of our heritage.

Mukesh Sharma, Chair of the Committee for Northern Ireland

What you will do

You’ll use your expertise to guide decisions on our grants between £250,000 and £5million and maintain oversight of smaller grants. You will also provide advice on our broader work and campaigns, advocate for our work during visits and events, and help us to reach under-served communities.

Two people smiling whilst holding cups of tea
Arts Ekta's social heritage project You, Me and Tea is
exploring the heritage of tea in Northern Ireland and
connections with China and India.
Credit: ArtsEkta/Carrie Davenport Photography. 

Mukesh Sharma, Chair of the Committee for Northern Ireland, said: “It is a real privilege to be supporting work which makes such a difference to communities, the environment, wildlife and many more aspects of our heritage.”

You’ll gain experience in grant-giving and decision-making. You’ll also discover a range of wonderful heritage, including breath-taking landscapes, iconic landmarks, local treasures and community memories.

Departing Committee member, Angelina Fusco, said: “As a Committee member I have constantly learnt about the breadth and depth of heritage across Northern Ireland through the large and small projects that the Heritage Fund supports.”

As a Committee member I have constantly learnt about the breadth and depth of heritage across Northern Ireland through the large and small projects that the Heritage Fund supports.

Angelina Fusco, departing Committee Member for Northern Ireland

We believe that understanding, valuing and sharing this heritage brings people together, inspires pride in communities and boosts investment in local economies.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for people who are committed to heritage and enthusiastic about the difference it can make for people and communities.

Appointments are made based on an individual’s skills and experience, but we consider how each applicant would complement the skills and knowledge of current committee members.

For these roles, we are especially seeking members with experience in:

  • tourism and visitor attractions
  • historic buildings

We are also looking for knowledge of local government and communities.

Young people using technology whilst smiling
Reimagine, Remake, Replay is connecting young
people and heritage through creative media and
digital technologies. Credit: Reimagine, Remake, Replay. 

Applications are welcome from people across Northern Ireland. We wish to improve the geographic representation of the Committee, so applications from those based in the West or North West of Northern Ireland will also be prioritised in our shortlisting.

We encourage applications from under-served groups, both on our funding committee and in the heritage sector. This includes:

  • young people
  • people of black, Asian and diverse ethnic backgrounds
  • people who identify as disabled or with long-term health conditions
  • people who identify as LGBTQ+
  • people from lower socio-economic backgrounds

Find out more and apply

We are holding a virtual drop-in session for interested applicants on Tuesday 25 January 2022 at 10am. Join the session to ask questions and find out more about the role and the Heritage Fund. The session is hosted by Paul Mullan (Director, Northern Ireland) and Mukesh Sharma (Chair of the Committee for Northern Ireland).

To attend the virtual drop-in session please contact Shirlee Beggs at Shirlee.Beggs@heritagefund.org.uk. It is possible to submit questions in advance.

The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on Sunday 6 February 2022. See the information pack for further details and how to apply:

Update 28 January 2022 – we will email monitoring forms to applicants after they have submitted.

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