Programme & Engagement Coordinator in Barking, London

Be part of a team that is driving change in East London through creative and inclusive participation. Barking & Dagenham Giving (BD Giving), an independent grant-making charity, is looking for a new Programme & Engagement Coordinator. We are a small and highly passionate team with the ambition to revolutionise the way funding works. Our work is about shifting decision-making power into the hands of local people who are disadvantaged and disenfranchised. We believe people should be involved in decisions that impact their lives and given the opportunity to create meaningful change for themselves, their family, and their neighbourhood.

We’re actively leading a movement within our borough’s social sector, among funders in London, and national charities. Over the past five years we have facilitated over £1 million in grant distribution and social investments and piloted an innovative £1.5m community-led investment fund through radical participatory approaches that have inspired other London boroughs, trusts and foundations.

You will work within the Programmes team and wider organisation to support people to make decisions that affect their lives by creating spaces where they can explore new ways of working together, and by equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to inform decision-making. This includes supporting innovative participatory programmes through delivery and administrative support.

We have a superb office space in central Barking and regularly deliver programmes across the borough, bringing in residents and organisations as a hub of community activity.

• Experience, knowledge or interest in working with local communities, with a focus on people-centred delivery and fostering collaboration.
• Some experience and understanding of what it takes to manage a project on time and to a high standard.
• Prior experience in community development, youth work, grant making, or facilitation to support inclusive programme design.
• Understanding of how to work with community groups, people and organisations from different cultures and backgrounds.
• We are particularly interested in candidates from Barking and Dagenham and global majority backgrounds.

• Effective communicator – ability to maintain and develop relationships with local communities, partners, organisations, and businesses.
• Ability to learn and use creative methods to engage local communities and organisations, harnessing new technology, AI tools and community development approaches.
• A people-person with a positive attitude who conducts themselves professionally, confidently and with an ability to listen and negotiate.
• A proactive, motivated, self-starter who is flexible and quick-thinking - ready to pitch in and take initiative where appropriate.
• Experience in managing and prioritising varied and busy workloads.
• A curious approach in how things work - flexible, and adaptable with an openness to personal development and a willingness to learn and take feedback on board.

Write a covering letter (of no more than two sides) detailing your suitability to the role with specific reference to the person specification included above, with clear evidence and examples of how you meet this and your suitability of experience. And provide a CV stating your work history. Click on the apply button now to learn more on how.

Closing date is: 28 June 2026 at 23:59. Any submissions received after this time will not be reviewed. Interviews will be held on the 14 and 15 July 2026, in-person at our office in central Barking, London. Due to anticipated demand we may only be able to respond to applicants that are invited for an interview. Good luck! You'll smash it. Don't be shy in telling us how you really are and what you bring!