As National Careers Week shines a spotlight on education, skills and career pathways across the UK, Charity Jobs NI is encouraging people in Northern Ireland to look beyond traditional industries and consider the wide range of professional opportunities available within the charity and community sector.
The call comes ahead of the upcoming Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair, which will take place on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, from 10am to 2pm at the Assembly Buildings Conference Centre, Belfast. The event will bring together charities, community organisations and social enterprises with people interested in building a career in the third sector.
While National Careers Week generates important discussion around routes into employment, from apprenticeships and university to corporate and technical roles, careers within the third sector are often underrepresented in these conversations despite offering skilled, sustainable and meaningful career paths.
According to Charity Jobs NI, the perception that charity roles are primarily voluntary or entry-level does not reflect the reality of the modern sector.
Chris Bunce, Co-founder of Charity Jobs NI, said the charity and community sector should be recognised as a serious and rewarding career destination.
“National Careers Week is an important moment in the calendar for anyone thinking about their future. We want to ensure the charity and voluntary sector is firmly part of that conversation.
“There can sometimes be an assumption that charity roles are mainly volunteering positions. In reality, the sector offers professional careers across health and social care, housing, youth work, finance, HR, communications, project management and senior leadership. These are skilled roles that require expertise, commitment and long term ambition.
“Many organisations are navigating a challenging and evolving funding environment, which makes attracting talented, values-driven professionals more important than ever. A strong and resilient third sector depends on people choosing it as a deliberate career path, not simply as a stepping stone.”
The Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair will give attendees the opportunity to meet employers face to face, explore paid and volunteer roles and gain a clearer understanding of the skills required across the sector.
A growing number of organisations have already signed up, including Living Water Adopt-A-Child UK & Ireland, Action for Children, Start360, Positive Futures, HarmonI, Autism Initiatives, MACS, Inspire Wellbeing and the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, with exhibitor spaces still available for charities and community organisations wishing to take part.
The event will showcase opportunities across areas such as mental health, youth services, disability support, community development, faith based initiatives and family support, reflecting the breadth and diversity of Northern Ireland’s third sector.
Chris added: “For anyone reflecting on their next step during National Careers Week, this is a practical way to explore what a career in the charity sector could look like. You can speak directly to employers, ask honest questions and see first-hand the range of professional opportunities available.
“Our message is simple. A career in the charity sector is not a fallback option. For many people, it is a purposeful, professional choice that combines expertise with impact.”
The Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair is free to attend for jobseekers and volunteers.
With strong early interest from exhibitors, organisations are encouraged to secure their place soon, while attendees can register for tickets at charityjobsni.com/charity-careers-fair .
