Niche and specialist roles
Recruit for positions requiring particular professional, technical or sector experience where the number of suitable candidates may be limited.
Specialist recruitment for charities
Search, Selection & Executive Recruitment
Some of the strongest candidates are not actively looking for a new role and may never see a job advert. For niche, hard-to-fill, senior or business-critical appointments, our Search, Selection & Executive Recruitment service draws on our established network of charity-sector candidates alongside focused market research and direct outreach. We identify and approach people with the right skills, experience and values, supporting appointments from specialist roles through to senior leadership and executive recruitment across Northern Ireland’s charity, voluntary and community sector.
Who we help you recruit
A targeted approach for roles that need more than advertising
Our Search, Selection & Executive Recruitment service is designed for appointments where the right candidates may be difficult to reach, unlikely to be actively applying or drawn from a limited talent pool—regardless of the level or seniority of the role.
Hard-to-fill roles
Strengthen recruitment for vacancies that have been advertised previously without success or are proving difficult to fill through applications alone.
Senior leadership
Identify experienced managers, Heads of Service and Directors capable of leading teams, services and organisational development.
Executive recruitment
Run a targeted and discreet search for Chief Executives and other senior executive appointments, with the level of confidentiality and assessment the role requires.
Proactive recruitment
We reach the people who are not applying
Advertising can form part of the campaign, but direct candidate research, engagement and analysis are what define Search, Selection & Executive Recruitment.
Reach beyond active applicants
Our established candidate bank gives us an immediate starting point, including people with charity-sector experience who may not be actively applying. We then widen the search through focused market research to identify additional suitable candidates.
Approach candidates directly
Suitable people are contacted individually and discreetly, including candidates who may not be actively considering a move.
Target the right experience
We work with you to define the essential requirements, understand the realistic candidate market and focus the search on people who match the role.
Assess suitability properly
We can support screening, structured assessment and shortlisting so that recommendations are based on evidence rather than CVs alone.
Our process
How a search assignment works
Every assignment is shaped around the role, organisation and level of support required. A typical search includes the following stages.
01
Define the brief
We agree the responsibilities, essential criteria, salary, candidate profile and reasons someone would be attracted to the opportunity.
02
Research the market
We review our candidate bank and established sector network before identifying relevant organisations, sectors and potential candidates across Northern Ireland and, where appropriate, further afield.
03
Direct candidate engagement
We approach suitable individuals confidentially, introduce the opportunity and explore their experience, motivation and potential interest.
04
Screening and assessment
Interested candidates are assessed against the agreed requirements before being considered for the shortlist.
05
Shortlist and appointment support
We present suitable candidates with clear supporting information and can coordinate interviews, feedback, offers and appointment arrangements.
Choosing the right approach
Advertise the vacancy or search for the candidate?
Advertising may form part of a search campaign, but proactive identification and direct engagement are what define it.
Managed Recruitment Advertising
Best suited when there is an established candidate market and a strong advertising campaign is likely to generate suitable applications. This service focuses on reach, campaign management, candidate response and reducing the recruitment administration placed on your team.
Search, Selection & Executive Recruitment
Best suited when the role is niche, difficult to fill, business-critical, senior, confidential or has previously failed to attract the right applicants. This service combines access to our established candidate bank with fresh market research, direct engagement and careful assessment rather than waiting for suitable people to apply.
Board appointments
Recruiting trustees or board members?
Board and trustee appointments require a different proposition from paid operational and executive roles. Our Board & Trustee Recruitment service applies a targeted search approach to Chairs, trustees, treasurers and other voluntary governance appointments.
2026 at a glance
422 Opportunities advertised so far in 2026Opportunities advertised so far in 2026
68 Charities and not-for-profits supported so far in 2026Charities and not-for-profits supported so far in 2026
Every role we advertise supports an organisation working for people and communities across Northern Ireland.
Discuss a roleWho we work with
Organisations we have supported with recruitment
A selection of the charities, community groups and not-for-profit organisations across Northern Ireland that have trusted Charity Jobs NI with their hiring.
Next step
Is your next role difficult to fill?
Tell us about the appointment, the challenges you are facing and the candidates you need to reach. We will recommend the most appropriate recruitment approach for your organisation.