Community Engagement Project Officer

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils; London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in London is seeking a Community Engagement Officer to lead community engagement initiatives. The role involves building relationships with residents, coordinating community events, and engaging various stakeholders to co-design projects. Candidates should have strong empathy and communication skills. The position offers flexible working arrangements and 40 days of annual leave.

Benefits

40 days annual leave

Flexible working

Generous pension plan

Qualifications

• Experience in community engagement or similar roles.
• Ability to build relationships with residents and community groups.
• Knowledge of how to engage different communities.

Responsibilities

• Build meaningful relationships and trust with communities.
• Coordinate community-based events to gather ideas for neighbourhood improvements.
• Engage with charities and public sector partners.

Skills

Empathy

Community Engagement

Stakeholder Management

Communication Skills

Job description

Overview

Would you like to join a unique, highly creative, and passionate team, working closely with communities to deliver positive outcomes in Wandsworth? The Community Engagement Officer, as a key member of Stronger and Safer Communities, ensures that a high level of communication between the Council and residents is developed and maintained, and stimulates and develops resident engagement in decision making for their area. The role leads community engagement for specific projects funded under the NCIL, including consultations, co-designing projects with local communities, or smaller local engagement pieces. It involves working with other Council departments, statutory agencies and the voluntary and community sector. This role will be part of a community-focused team listening to and working with communities and other partners to create better spaces and places for local people. A new approach will emphasise developing resident and community understanding of Wandsworth\'s Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) and mobilising communities and stakeholders (statutory and non-statutory) to co-design viable NCIL-funded projects. The role offers opportunities to work from home, the Wandsworth office, or be out at events or community meetings.

The role will be about building relationships with residents, voluntary sector and community groups, and our wider partners across and within neighbourhoods; supporting and promoting the Leader\'s Roadshow programme in communities; place-based working in a defined area; and supporting engagement for NCIL-funded projects while working with communities to develop potential NCIL projects.

Responsibilities

• Build meaningful relationships and trust with our communities – this role is highly social, requires empathy, the ability to initiate dialogue with communities, while being outcomes-focused and results-driven.
• Inspire and mobilise communities to make a difference, involving charities, public sector partners, and a wide range of council services to engage with seldom heard communities.
• Coordinate regular public-facing community-based events involving local Councillors, Council and partner services to deepen understanding of local issues and gather ideas for neighbourhood improvements.
• Bring a good working knowledge of how to engage different communities, develop effective relationships and manage multiple stakeholders within the community.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to support the co-design of projects suitable for NCIL funding, working collaboratively with the Community Funding Manager who will manage the NCIL proposal evaluation and allocation.
• Be at the forefront of delivering the Council\'s community engagement approach, with an expectation of being an active participant in Wandsworth\'s communities.

On occasions you may be required to work evenings and weekends, for which you will be given time off in lieu. This position will mostly entail working within the community. Community outreach, inspiring and mobilising communities to make a difference, is central to the role, involving work with charities, public sector partners, and a wide range of Council services to engage with seldom heard communities.

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to inclusive recruitment practices and to promoting equality and diversity, recognising that employees from diverse backgrounds contribute positively to the Councils and can improve service delivery. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and appointment may be conditional upon satisfactory DBS checks.

Benefits

• 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays),
• Flexible working,
• Generous pension plan.