Graduate Programme – Project Officer

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils; Greater London; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to improving local public services through a Graduate Development Programme. This role offers recent graduates the chance to work on impactful projects across two councils, tackling issues like Climate Change and Public Health. You'll gain invaluable experience while developing essential skills in planning, communication, and management. With opportunities to shadow senior leaders and engage with local communities, this position is perfect for those looking to make a difference in their boroughs. Enjoy a supportive environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

32 days annual leave (pro rata)

Flexible working

Generous pension plan

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Must have a minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate degree by July 2025.
• 5 GCSEs including Maths and English required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in formulating and monitoring policies and procedures.
• Coordinate meetings and prepare necessary materials.
• Research and write reports for managers and Elected Members.

Skills

Planning Skills

Communication Skills

Organisational Skills

Management Skills

Education

2:2 Undergraduate Degree

5 GCSEs (A-C or 4-9)

Job description

We are looking for a diverse group of highly talented and motivated graduates to join Richmond and Wandsworth Councils’ Graduate Development Programme. You will be innovative, adaptable, enthusiastic and able to demonstrate a strong commitment to working to improve the boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth. You will quickly take on responsibility for projects that will make a real contribution towards the impact and efficiency of local public services including contributing to our work supporting local communities, organisations and businesses.

The successful applicants will have the opportunity to work across both councils, which have different political outlooks and priorities. You may be working in Wandsworth and Twickenham on high profile projects such as Climate Change, Cost of Living programmes, Adult Social Care and Public Health, Children’s Services or supporting the co-ordination of projects related to our Great Employer programme. You may be working on policy, events, communications, or you may be researching and engaging with the local community.

About You

Throughout the programme you will have a placement manager and a supervisor as well as your colleagues to support your development. There will be opportunities to shadow Executive Directors and senior managers, to attend meetings with Elected Members to understand the political context of your work, and to participate in events.

You will also undertake awork-related qualification which will enhance your career prospects by developing your planning, communication, organisation, and management skills.

About the role

Please see Job Description and Person Specification whichdescribes the varied tasks in this role:

• Assist in the formulation, planning and monitoring of policies and procedures.
• Support the implementation of council decisions and circulate reports accordingly.
• Coordinate, schedule, and provide support for meetings, including preparing agendas, sending invitations, booking venues or virtual meeting links, taking minutes, and ensuring necessary materials and technology are available.
• Research, prepare and write up reports and briefing papers for managers and Elected Members.
• Work collaboratively with council departments and external partners and agencies, including the private and voluntary sector.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• We welcome graduates from all backgrounds and areas of study but you must have (or expect to achieve) a minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate degree by July 2025. You also need to:
• Have the right to work in the UK (we are unable to apply for visa’s).
• Be within two years of graduating from your first degree (summer 2023)
• A minimum of 5 GCSE’s grades A-C or grades 4-9, including Maths and English (or equivalent).
• Have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the last three years (to meet funding requirements for training that you will undertake).
• The starting salary is £31,586 per annum and you will also receive 32 days (pro rata) annual leave plus bank holidays. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to progress to Scale 6 in their second year (subject to meeting requirements).

Applicants’ online information sessions

To support applicants to find out more about what we offer and how to make a great application we invite you to join us on one of our online information sessions where you will meet some of our current and past graduates.

These sessions will be held on (links included below):

Indicative Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)

Closing Date: Sunday 11 May 2025 at 23:59

Interview and Assessment Dates: Wednesday 30 July 2025 and Thursday 31 July 2025

Start date: Monday 22 September 2025 (start date is non-negotiable)

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.Please note if you are successful in being shortlisted, we hope to notify you by the end of June 2025.

Useful Information:

We strongly advise you to take time to complete your application fully before submitting it to us.

All shortlisting is undertaken anonymously i.e. your personal details are removed from the application process.

All applications will be monitored for the use of AI.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You may be required to undertake a DBS check as part of the recruitment process.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently under-represented within our teams, including care leavers, the disabled and black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds.

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as flexible working and a generous pension plan.