Community Engagement Coordinator

Peterborough City Council; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government body is seeking a compassionate Community Connector to support refugees integrating into life in the UK. In this role, you'll provide tailored casework, conduct welcome visits, and help clients access housing and benefits. Strong communication and networking skills are essential, alongside a commitment to promoting the best interests of community members. This position offers 25 days of annual leave, flexible bank holidays, and various development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous annual leave starting at 25 days

Sick pay

Local government pension scheme

Access to discounts and schemes via Vivup

Opportunities for paid volunteering

Qualifications

• Proven experience in providing advice and support to refugees.
• Ability to assess needs and provide tailored support.
• Willingness to attend training to improve professional competency.

Responsibilities

• Support refugees to integrate into UK life through tailored casework.
• Conduct welcome visits and help clients access housing and benefits.
• Collaborate with organizations to develop community activities.

Skills

Compassion towards refugees

Excellent communication

Networking abilities

Problem-solving abilities

Independence and collaboration

Job description

This is a fixed term contract until December 2026.

All about the Role

Are you passionate about supporting refugees and helping communities thrive? As a Community Connector with Peterborough City Council, you'll play a vital role in supporting those on the Homes for Ukraine and Ukraine Permission Extension schemes, as well as new refugees, to integrate into UK life.

A key aspect of this role is the provision of ongoing casework, where you will offer tailored support to individuals and families as they navigate the challenges of settling in the UK. You will conduct welcome visits and act as a consistent point of contact, ensuring clients receive the guidance and assistance they need. You will help new refugees find appropriate housing, access benefits and employment advice, and connect with wider support services to prevent rough sleeping and destitution. In addition to your casework responsibilities, you will collaborate with statutory and voluntary organisations to develop inclusive activities and events that foster community integration.

All about our Team

Our experienced Refugee Resettlement team is passionate about empowering individuals and families to access employment, education, and achieve settled accommodation. Drawing on a wealth of knowledge and practical expertise, the team provides tailored support designed to help refugees and new arrivals overcome barriers and build fulfilling lives in Peterborough. They work collaboratively with partners and community networks to create opportunities for personal growth and lasting integration, ensuring everyone can move forward confidently and independently.

We work collaboratively with a wide range of partners, including local charities, community organisations, faith groups, and statutory agencies, to ensure our clients receive the support they need. We value flexibility, teamwork, and innovation, and we're dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of refugees and the wider community.

All about You

We're seeking someone who is compassionate towards refugees, highly motivated, and able to build strong, trusting relationships with both individuals and organisations. You'll be passionate about helping refugees integrate and thrive in the UK, drawing on a solid understanding of national legislation related to asylum and refugee support, council housing policy, and the roles of statutory and non‑statutory agencies. You'll remain impartial and non‑judgemental, always committed to promoting the best interests of residents and community groups.

Essential skills include excellent communication, networking, and problem‑solving abilities, as well as the capacity to work independently and collaboratively. You'll be able to assess needs, provide advice, and support clients‑especially refugees‑through challenging transitions. Experience in providing advice and support to refugees or community organisations, and working or volunteering in a community‑based environment, is important.

You should be willing to attend training to improve your professional competency. The ability to travel across Peterborough and communicate effectively with vulnerable people from diverse backgrounds is essential. Fluency in written and spoken English is required; additional languages such as Ukrainian, Russian, Arabic, Urdu, or another European language are desirable.

All about our Benefits

We value our colleagues and have developed a number of benefits in addition to our generous annual leave starting at 25 days + bank holidays, sick pay and local government pension scheme

• Access to a range of benefits via Vivup, including in‑store and online discounts as well as our Cycle to Work and Home & Electronics schemes
• Buy up to 10 days additional annual leave (pro‑rata)
• Access to car lease scheme
• Take your bank holidays flexibly to better suit your personal circumstances
• Make Additional Voluntary Contributions (Shared Cost AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings
• Access to development opportunities including apprenticeships to support your personal and professional growth
• Paid volunteering hours each year so you can make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day
• Access to our equality, diversity and inclusion network
• Opportunities to receive Employee Recognition Awards

All about our Commitments

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to fostering diversity, advancing equity, and building an inclusive workplace for everyone. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those from underrepresented groups, including disabled people, care leavers, and individuals from minority ethnic communities. Your unique perspectives and experiences are encouraged and valued and will play a vital role in our success.

We are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible. If you are disabled and require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] we will work with you to meet your needs.

Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of a Basic Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.