The Role

Are you passionate about Climate Change and can build relationships with residents, local organisations, and businesses so they can take effective action to combat climate change?  Are you an experienced in planning and organising events?

This exciting and demanding role sits within the corporate centre of both Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. Both councils declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and have a clear commitment to engage and inform residents and businesses across the boroughs. You would be joining an established team which has led some high-profile engagement events such as boroughwide climate change summits and festivals and engaging with young people via Climate Change Days and a programme of work with schools. You will build on these foundations and our highly regarded track record and as part of a growing and dynamic team we will together continue to make an impact in the local community and work together to reduce emissions. You will work alongside officers from across the councils and build on existing partnerships, bringing an innovative approach to draw interest into your projects.

This role co-ordinates engagement and partnership activity on Climate Change for Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, based on the Wandsworth Environment and Sustainability Strategy and the Richmond Climate Emergency Strategy.  You will need to be able to articulate key messages from these strategies, reaching out to wide audiences and encouraging involvement in reaching the Council’s climate change targets.  This will involve administration around organising public events (both in person and online), seminars, and sharing communications, as well as evaluating the same.  You will be a strong project manager used to balancing multiple priorities, with skills in stakeholder engagement, event co-ordination and administration. You will be confident making arrangements in person, by phone and online. You will present to groups and attend events, sometimes in the evening or at weekends. You will also work with elected councillors.

This role is in the Climate Change team within the Policy Department. Within the team the engagement officers work across Richmond and Wandsworth borough to engage with residents, voluntary groups and key stakeholders, building relationships and developing strategies to tackle key issues.

This is a 12 month fixed term maternity cover contract.

For an informal discussion on this role, please contact Megan Hermes, Partnership and Engagement Lead - Climate Change, by emailing megan.hermes@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

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!

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 or part-time hours, term time only, 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 39 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: Thursday 8th December 2022

Shortlisting Date: Friday 9th December 2022

Interview Date: Friday 16th December 2022 - Interviews will be held online and will include a presentation task.

Useful Information:

We are hoping the successful applicant will be able to start in January.

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. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please note that the advertised dates for interviews may change due to the current Covid-19 situation. If they do, we will let you know as soon as possible. Your health and wellbeing is our top priority. Should you become unwell due to Covid-19 during the recruitment process we would very much appreciate receiving an update from you as soon as possible.

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.

The application process for this campaign will be anonymised. 

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