Project Officer

Suffolk Jobs Direct; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council service in Ipswich seeks a Beyond Labels Project Officer. You will lead a community project illuminating the lives of disabled individuals in Suffolk. Responsibilities include delivering exhibitions and engaging volunteers. Ideal candidates have project management experience and a commitment to inclusivity. Flexible working options available.

Benefits

Up to 29 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Travel and health benefits

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Proven experience of delivering community projects with multi-faceted stakeholders.
• Experience working with disabled people or support organizations.
• Passion for inclusivity within arts and heritage.

Responsibilities

• Drive the delivery of the Beyond Labels project.
• Build a community forum and volunteer research team.
• Develop and deliver the Beyond Labels exhibition.

Skills

Self-motivation

Compassion

Drive

Resilience

Building relationships

Job description

Job Description

Suffolk Archives, a Suffolk County Council Service. Address: The Hold, Ipswich IP4 1LR – Hybrid working. Salary: £34,434 (pro rata). Hours: 37 hours per week – flexible working options available; occasional evening and weekend working possible. Contract: Fixed Term or Secondment for 9 months (funding).

Beyond Labels Project Officer

At Suffolk County Council we are passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you are too, join us as the Beyond Labels Project Officer and make a huge and meaningful impact. Your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving. Our opportunities and support will enable you to make a difference and leave a positive, lasting legacy. Reimagine the possibilities.

Your Role And Responsibilities

Imagine a day where you're sparking conversations in communities about hidden histories or rallying volunteers to dig into archives for stories that change perspectives. As our Beyond Labels Project Officer, you will drive the delivery of our Beyond Labels project, a major new community project that will shine a light on the lives, achievements, and challenges of people with disabilities in Suffolk, past and present. Made possible by National Lottery players, this role is all about connection, uncovering past and present contributions via research, oral histories and a co‑curated exhibition.

• Build a community forum and volunteer research team to unearth and share compelling stories from our collections.
• Develop and deliver the Beyond Labels exhibition, events and activities for communities, fostering co‑creation.
• Gather lived experiences for the archives and publicise events with our marketing team.
• Support the delivery of an education programme.
• Mentor volunteers, collect feedback and report to funders – all while collaborating closely with our Audience Development Team.

You will need

• Self‑motivation, compassion, drive and resilience, together with a love of putting smiles on people’s faces and building trusting relationships with stakeholders.
• Proven experience of delivering community projects with multi‑faceted stakeholders and working with disabled people or support organisations.
• Passion for inclusivity within arts and heritage and a commitment to centring disabled voices within innovative and accessible engagement and programming.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

• Working as part of Suffolk Archives’ Audience Development Team you will be contributing to the development and delivery of award‑winning public programming, engaging more people than ever in the stories of the places they live, work and play. The team are driven, innovative and always find new, interesting ways for the residents of Suffolk to engage with local history.
• We have a strong sense of collaboration and partnership, especially within Suffolk’s communities, collecting and showcasing their histories, especially from under‑represented groups in our collections.
• It is a supportive team that shares the load and promises that no two days will be the same.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently under‑represented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Mandy Rawlins, Audience Development Manager (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 07910 962745 or emailing [e-mail]. If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first and get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How To Apply

Step 1 –

Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word).

Step 2 –

Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 –

Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). Use the Supporting Statement template.

• Tell us about an experience where you built relationships with diverse communities to co‑produce or deliver a project. How did you ensure their voices were heard and included?
• Describe a situation where you worked closely with colleagues or external partners to achieve a shared goal. What was your approach to building effective working relationships?
• Share an example of how you have demonstrated a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in your work. What impact did your actions have?

Step 4 –

Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. All supporting documents must be in PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing [e-mail] or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 9 November 2025 11:30pm. Interview date: 19 November 2025.

Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

About Us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We are driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• Up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days.
• Membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits.
• Performance‑related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost‑of‑living pay increase.
• Training and encouragement to expand your knowledge.
• A variety of career development opportunities across our organisation.
• Diverse and active staff networks.
• Flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day.

Plus lots more! If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).