The Role

Can you build relationships with people so they feel motivated to help shape services which impact on their lives? Can you take complex strategies and make them meaningful to local residents? Do you have experience in planning, leading, organising and evaluating events?

If so, the Community Engagement Officer may be for you.. You will engage with groups who are seldom heard from, so you will need to be approachable and to build confidence with people who may be reluctant to engage. You will listen, impart information and draw communities into having a genuine voice around the services which benefit them. It is a targeted approach so you will need to understand and interpret data about local communities and the Council’s strategies which affect them. Co-productive work with residents, voluntary groups and businesses will be at the heart of what you do and you will ensure that all engagement work is meaningful and ongoing.

You will join an established team situated within the corporate heart of Richmond Council and which has led some high-profile engagement events and outreach activities. You will help us build on our highly regarded track record of events, broadening the reach further to underrepresented groups. You will work alongside officers from across the Council and elected councillors, as well as with public sector partners, to build on existing partnerships, forge new relationships and bring an innovative approach to draw interest into your projects.

No two days will ever be the same and you will need a flexible approach to your workload as well as achieving prescribed outcomes. Often you will need to work on tasks where another team is the lead, so you will be a good team player and clear on your role in the project. You will be equally comfortable addressing a room full of residents or a ward councillor, either in person or online.  You will take a project management approach to all of your tasks, frequently working on multiple projects, so you will be a good time manager. You will be able to communicate in all forms, including in writing.

This is a public facing role, you will spend more of your time working with the community than behind a desk. Often you will work alone in the community and will need to work strictly within personal safety guidelines. You will also need to work at time which works for the communities you are engaging with, often in the evening and sometimes at the weekend, for which you would receive time off in lieu.

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance, and a generous holiday allowance of 31 days plus bank holidays.

In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities is also offered.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date:  10th April 2022

Shortlisting Date: W/C 11th April 2022

Interview Date: W/C 25^th April 2021

For an informal discussion on this role, please contact Mr Rajiv Bhattacharjee, Community Engagement Manager for Richmond and Wandsworth, by emailing rajiv.bhattacharjee@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk  or calling 07870 545 654. 

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 a 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. 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.

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