About Us

Do you have experience in managing volunteers? Could you work with volunteers to offer a voice to residents in social housing and bring positive change? 

If so …

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Full time Community Ambassador Project Officer to join the Council’s Community Engagement Team at the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. You will be key in recruiting and supporting volunteers (Community Ambassadors) who live in social housing in the borough.  You will work with them to find out issues important to them and other tenants and to help them have a voice with their Social Housing Landlord and with the Council.  You will be a motivated individual with transferable skills including the ability to empathise and engage with residents, amplifying their voice and valuing their contributions.  We are always looking for new ways of working and you will be able to help shape the best practice for this innovative area of work.  

About the team 

The successful candidate will be joining a dynamic, ambitious, and experienced Community Engagement Team that actively engages with residents, voluntary sector, and stakeholders, to identify and deliver the Community Engagement Programme across the borough.

The Community Engagement Team is very supportive and works closely with residents, community groups and volunteer groups, to engage on matters which mean the most to those who live, work and study in our borough.    

About the role 

You will be required to:

• Travel throughout the borough and carry out community outreach
• Have experience of managing, coordinating and motivating volunteers
• Engage with residents about the issues that matter most to them
• Maintain positive engagement with existing Community Ambassadors and ensure high levels of engagement in communities and with our stakeholders
• Onboard and organise training for new Community Ambassadors
• Connect Community Ambassadors and housing associations to get involved in a schedule of estate inspections  
• Organise and manage events for engagement purposes

You will need to be:

• Motivate, able to work proactively and enjoy new challenges
• Have strong people skills
• You will be able to work individually and as part of a team.
• Prioritise your own workload

This is a full-time post fixed term until 31^st March 2026.

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 where the community ambassador volunteers are based, alongside some office working based in Twickenham. There may be opportunities to do some work from home.

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Mr Rajiv Bhattacharjee, Community Engagement Manager. 

Tel: 07870 545 654 or 0208 831 6202 Ext: 26202

Email: Rajiv.Bhattacharjee@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Agile working 

At Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, we care more about how you work and what you achieve, rather than where you work on any given day. The difference you can make to our local communities is what really matters most to us, service delivery must always come first. We have carefully considered agile ways of working to provide the best experience for residents, stakeholders and our staff. Our agile working strategy actively supports and encourages a dynamic work environment and daily working experience. Agile working helps put the needs of our staff at the centre of everything we do, so if specific flexible working arrangements helps you with this, feel free to let us know. 

Your wellbeing and the flexible way in which you can work is and will remain a key priority for Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. We want you to thrive and feel empowered in your work!

Benefits 

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working including, working from home, compressed hours, job shares and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore. We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 40 paid days (pro rata) including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities. 

In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline 

Closing date: 12^th November 2023

Shortlisting date: 16^th November working days after closing date

Interview date:  21-24^th November 2023

Useful Information: 

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Equality statement:

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. This campaign is anonymised.

Important Information: 

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.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils