Graduate Programme – Project Officer in London

Salary Range - £31,586 (2026/7 pay award pending)

2 Year Fixed Term Contract

Full Time- 36 Hours

Location: Richmond and Wandsworth Council Offices

Graduate Development Programme – Project Officers

We are looking for a diverse group of highly talented and motivated graduates to join our Graduate Development Programme as Project Officers. You will be innovative, adaptable, enthusiastic and able to demonstrate a strong commitment to working to improve the boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth. You will quickly take on responsibility for projects that will make a real contribution towards the impact and efficiency of local public services, supporting local communities, organisations and businesses.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work across both councils, each with distinct political priorities and ways of working. You will be based across locations including Wandsworth and Twickenham, contributing to high‑profile programmes such as Climate Change, Cost of Living initiatives, Adult Social Care, Public Health, Children’s Services, Housing, IT and Digital Transformation and wider organisational change through our Transformation Programme.

The role is varied and may involve developing policy, supporting events and communications, undertaking research, and engaging directly with local communities. Throughout the programme you will have a placement manager and a supervisor as well as your colleagues to support your development. There will be opportunities to shadow Executive Directors and senior managers, attend meetings with Elected Members to understand the political context of your work, and participate in events. You will also undertake a work‑related qualification which will enhance your career prospects by developing your planning, communication, organisation, and management skills.

About You – Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

We welcome graduates from all backgrounds, degree subjects and universities but you must have (or expect to achieve) a minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate degree by July 2026. You also need to:

• have the right to work in the UK (we are unable to apply for visas).
• be within two years of graduating from your first degree.
• have a minimum of 5 GCSEs grades A‑C or grades 4‑9, including Maths and English (or equivalent).
• have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the last three years (to meet funding requirements for training that you will undertake).

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to progress to pay Scale 6 in their second year (subject to meeting requirements).

About the Role

Please see Job Description and Person Specification which describes the varied tasks in this role which includes:

• Assisting in the formulation, planning and monitoring of policies and procedures.
• Supporting the implementation of council decisions and circulating reports accordingly.
• Coordinating, scheduling, and providing support for meetings, including preparing agendas, sending invitations, booking venues or virtual meeting links, taking minutes, and ensuring necessary materials and technology are available.
• Researching, preparing and writing up reports and briefing papers for managers and Elected Members.
• Working collaboratively with council departments and external partners and agencies, including the private and voluntary sector.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working, and a generous pension plan.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership 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. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Applicants who declare that they are care experienced or have a disability may qualify for a guaranteed interview, provided they meet the minimum criteria for the role and have successfully completed all parts of the online application process to the required high standard.

Business Unit CID – Organisational Development and Internal Communications