VCS Development Officer

London Borough of Tower Hamlets; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local government pension

Generous annual leave

Flexible working

Staff loan schemes

Learning & development

Job summary

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is recruiting a Voluntary & Community Sector (VCS) Development Officer to help deliver the Council's VCS Strategy 2025-2029 and implement The Compact with the VCS in Tower Hamlets. You will work in partnership with the VCS, policy makers and funders to build strong relationships and support capacity building, forums, networks and partnerships.

Focusing on developing and delivering a new council grant programme for the VCS from 2027, the role requires knowledge

Qualifications

• Understanding of policy and practice in relation to VCS commissioning and grants management and knowledge of the main sources of funding for VCS organisations
• Experience of working with VCS organisations
• Knowledge of national government policy and direction as it effects local government and the main priorities and issues for local authorities
• Experience of programme or project management in a large organisation and of project monitoring and control systems
• An ability to monitor, review and evaluate grants performance programmes, policies and strategies
• Experience of report writing and the ability to present information in a clear and concise way

Responsibilities

• Design and implement corporate priorities and help develop and implement Council strategy on the VCS
• Develop capacity building, forums, networks and partnerships with the VCS as required
• Support the development and delivery of new council grant programme for the VCS, scheduled to commence in 2027

Skills

VCS knowledge

Grants management

Policy knowledge

Project management

Grant monitoring

Report writing

Job description

About The Role Job Advert: Voluntary & Community Strategy (VCS) Development Officer

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Corporate Strategy & Communities Service for a Voluntary & Community Sector (VCS) Development Officer to help deliver the Council's Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy 2025-2029 and implement The Compact with the Voluntary and Community Sector in Tower Hamlets by working in partnership with the VCS .

Tower Hamlets Council has a strong and long-lasting relationship with the local VCS, which numbers 1,300 organisation in the borough. This role provides a fantastic opportunity to support the council to work with the VCS and a range of partners, especially policy makers and funders, to support and develop relationships with this sector. The role will also support a range of work with the VCS, including capacity building, developing forums, networks and partnerships as required.

The Council's VCS Strategy has a vision of the council working in partnership with the VCS and partners to build a thriving and diverse voluntary and community sector that improves the lives of residents. Key focuses of this post will be supporting the implementation of this Strategy and the Compact, plus working with the VCS to support the development and delivery of a new council grant programme for the VCS, scheduled to commence in 2027.

About you

As a practitioner, with knowledge and experience of the VCS, you will design and implement corporate priorities and help develop and implement Council strategy on the VCS. You will have:

• An understanding of policy and practice in relation to VCS commissioning and grants management and knowledge of the main sources of funding for VCS organisations
• Experience of working with VCS organisations
• Knowledge of national government policy and direction as it effects local government and the main priorities and issues for local authorities
• Experience of programme or project management in a large organisation and of project monitoring and control systems
• An ability to monitor, review and evaluate grants performance programmes, policies and strategies
• Experience of report writing and the ability to present information in a clear and concise way.

Working For Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets vision for our borough is that: people are aspirational, independent and have equal access to opportunities; we are a borough that our residents are proud of and love to live in; and we are a dynamic, outcomes-based council using digital innovation and partnership working to respond to the changing needs of our borough. We want people who aspire to our TOWER values: Together; Open; Willing; Excellent; Respect.

Tower Hamlets has a zero-tolerance approach to, and works to eradicate, all forms of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, status as a civil partner, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and maternity and looks to employ a diverse workforce representative of these groups. We recognise that people can also be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class.

We welcome applicants interested in flexible working arrangements and also applicants who live in the borough.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary £50,175 to £53,319, plus allowances (if applicable).
• Local Government Pension Scheme membership.
• Generous annual leave: 29 days, rising to 33 with 5+ years' service, plus bank holidays and 3 additional days at Christmas.
• Flexible and agile working to support work-life balance.
• Staff money-saving schemes (e.g., rent deposit loans, season ticket loans).
• Learning and development opportunities through our Learning Academy, with clear career development and leadership pathways.

About Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets is a truly unique borough at the heart of London - a place where history and innovation sit side by side. From the docks and markets that shaped the East End to the global business hub of Canary Wharf, we are proud to be one of the most dynamic, diverse, and ambitious communities in the UK. We are also one of the fastest growing and youngest boroughs in the country, offering unrivalled opportunities to make a real difference to people's lives. Our residents are energetic, creative, and resilient, and our council is committed to delivering the best possible services and opportunities for them.

Our award-winning new Town Hall in Whitechapel provides a modern, flexible workplace for our staff, right at the heart of the borough and directly opposite Whitechapel Tube and Elizabeth line station. It is more than just a workplace - it's a hub for collaboration, innovation and community, designed to bring out the best in our people.

As an employer, we put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. Our active Employee Network Groups celebrate and champion our workforce, helping to ensure that everyone feels a sense of belonging. Guided by our TOWER values - Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and Respect - we are building a positive, inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive.

At Tower Hamlets Council, you'll find exciting challenges, supportive colleagues, and the chance to shape one of London's most important and vibrant places. If you're looking for a role where you can see the impact of your work every day, then Tower Hamlets is the place for you.