Community Engagement Officer - LIFT in Town Hall | Islington Council (2024)

Are you passionate about making a real impact in your community? Do you want to help underrepresented individuals gain skills and secure employment in dynamic industries like tech, creative, and life sciences? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

**Please note this is a maternity cover, from June 2024 until the current end of the programme’s funding period in March 2025**. This role could be offered as a secondment for eligible candidates.

About Us:

The LIFT programme is a collaboration between the boroughs of Camden, Hackney, Islington, and Tower Hamlets, dedicated to empowering local residents from diverse backgrounds to thrive in the “knowledge economy.” We focus on creating pathways to opportunities in digital, creative, and life science sectors, ensuring these industries are accessible to everyone. Since our inception, we have supported hundreds of local people into employment and helped numerous start-ups grow their businesses, and have recently been shortlisted for the prestigious LGC Awards.

About the Role:

As a Community Engagement Officer for LIFT, you will be the driving force behind our outreach efforts in the London Borough of Hackney. Your role is crucial in connecting local residents with opportunities in the knowledge economy. You'll provide one-to-one support, organise engaging events, and collaborate with stakeholders to build a more inclusive community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Outreach and Engagement: Build relationships with local groups and communities to inform them about LIFT opportunities.
• Innovative Strategies: Develop new methods to reach and inspire residents unaware of available opportunities.
• One-to-One Support: Assist residents seeking careers in tech, creative, or science sectors by providing tailored support and referrals.
• Collaborative Efforts: Work with employment services, training providers, and employers to ensure comprehensive support for residents.
• Communications & Marketing: Help develop and execute a communications strategy to maximise the programme’s reach.
• Programme Development: Involve local people in the design, delivery, and evaluation of the LIFT programme.

Requirements:

• Experience in community engagement, outreach, or a related field.
• Interest in knowledge economy sectors including tech, creative and sciences.
• Understanding of local community dynamics and challenges.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Passion for promoting diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.

Meet the Team:

You'll join a dedicated team of Community Engagement Officers, Employer Engagement Officers and project staff. We work closely with colleagues in employment services, community partners, training providers, and businesses. Together, we aim to create a thriving, inclusive knowledge economy where everyone has the chance to succeed.

How to Apply:

If you're excited about making a difference and want to be part of a transformative programme, we’d love to hear from you! To be considered, please fill out an online application form via the advert on our website. Please refer to the person specification within your application form.

For further information or an informal conversation about the role, please contact:

Hamish Mackay, Senior Programme Manager

Email: [emailprotected]

Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn’t beclearer: we serve. It’s in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the boroughand as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, wehave to look after our people. Together we can change the future.

We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.

To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.

Watch our video to hear more about our mission and how you can help us achieve it from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz.

Recruitment information

It is the policy of Islington Council that no user of service, present or future employee or job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of their sex, perceived or actual sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion or belief, age, creed, colour, nationality, national origin, ethnic origin, or disability, or on the grounds of their association with someone in one of these groups; nor is disadvantaged by any conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justified. We welcome applications from Black and Minority Ethnic candidates and acknowledge our responsibility to mitigate against racial discrimination. 

Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

The post is subject toan enhanced DBS check, qualifications check and 5 years referencing.

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.