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- Tasks: Support and strengthen Suffolk's community initiatives while working with local groups.
- Company: Join Community Action Suffolk, a leading charity supporting the VCFSE sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while working in a friendly, inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for community work and excellent communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Part-time role with a fixed term until March 2029; travel around Suffolk required.
The predicted salary is between 23193 - 32300 £ per year.
- Community Action Suffolk
- Location: Brightspace, Ipswich or The Kirkley Centre, Lowestoft – Regular travelling around the county is required
- Salary: £28,991.03 pro rata (£23,192.82 per annum, actual)
- Hours: Part time 30 hours per week
- Contract: Fixed term until 31st March 2029, Required as soon as possible
- Reference: 0306
Join Our Team – We\’re Hiring!
We\’re on a recruitment drive and looking for passionate, driven individuals to join our growing organisation. If you\’re someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, values teamwork, and wants to make an impact in the sector—we want to hear from you!
About us
Community Action Suffolk (CAS) is the county’s infrastructure organisation for the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. We exist to ensure our sector, and its volunteers are supported, safe and sustainable and that our communities are active and resilient.
Our values of collaborative, enabling, person centred, responsive and trusted are the golden thread which runs through who we are and how we operate, and we aim to make them real every day.
About the role
We are excited to announce that, having recently secured new funding from the Reaching Communities Fund, we are now recruiting for a new Community Development Officer.
This is an exciting opportunity to support and strengthen Suffolk’s voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector. You will work across Community Action Suffolk’s community action functions, helping local groups and communities to develop, grow and respond to the needs of the people they support.
This role will complement the skills and expertise of our existing team and play a key part in CAS’s commitment to enabling a more sustainable and independent future for Suffolk’s communities.
As the Community Development Officer, you will support the sustainability of activities across a range of community action initiatives and capacity building services to strength and maintain support to the VCFSE sector within Suffolk.
This role will suit an individual who have a passion for the VCFSE Sector and who can champion building capacity, efficiency, and sustainability. You will be an excellent communicator at all levels and able to write andspeak persuasively to a diverse range of groups.You will need to be driven, pro-active, flexible and resourceful as each role can have a busy and varied workload. You should also be confident working independently as well as having the ability to be a good team player.
You will be a proactive individual with a can-do attitude and appetite for learning. We are looking for those who can communicate with a wide range of people with varying degrees of experience.
We are a friendly organisation, committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive culture in all that we do, and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We aim to create a workplace which is welcoming, fair, and inclusive, where people can be themselves and contribute to our vision and values.
We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, or on commencement of post.
What we offer
You will work within a reputable charity which offers its employees benefits which include:
- Blended working where role allows
- Flexible working options to support work/life balance
- 33 days increasing to a maximum 36 (FTE) annual holiday which includes an allowance for bank holidays
- Up to 4% matched pension contribution
- 2 days pro rata volunteering days to support volunteering in Suffolk
- Staff Discounts Scheme for a range of retailers including; shopping, holidays, insurance, eating out and health and leisure activities
- Company Sick Pay Scheme
- Continued Professional Development for job related development
- Family Friendly policies and practices
- Tailored induction
For more information
For more information, please visithttp://www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/vacancies/for a copy of our application pack.
Alternatively, please contact Louise Bradshaw onlouise.bradshaw@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk
If you are interested in the role and would like to learn more, please contactclare.lamb@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk, Community Action Manager for an informal conversation.
How to apply
Completed applications should be sent to louise.bradshaw@communityactionsuffolk.org.ukor via post to Louise Bradshaw, at Community Action Suffolk, 160 Hadleigh Road, Ipswich, IP2 0HH by the above closing date.
Closing date: 12pm, 21 July 2025
Interview date:week commencing 28 July 2025
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Community Development Officer employer: Suffolk
Contact Detail:
Suffolk Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Development Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the values and mission of Community Action Suffolk. Understanding their commitment to the VCFSE sector will help you align your conversation during interviews and demonstrate your passion for community development.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Community Action Suffolk. They can provide insights into the organisational culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples of your previous work in community development or related fields. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you demonstrated your ability to communicate effectively and build capacity within communities.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your adaptability and problem-solving skills. Given the dynamic nature of the role, being able to illustrate how you've successfully navigated challenges in past experiences will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Development Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Community Development Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these needs.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the VCFSE sector. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively, as these are key traits for this role.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, emphasise any previous roles or volunteer work related to community development or support. Include details about your achievements and how they contributed to the sustainability and growth of the organisations you worked with.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are important in a role that involves communication with diverse groups.
How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk
✨Understand the VCFSE Sector
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. Research current trends, challenges, and opportunities within this field to demonstrate your passion and knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Community Development Officer, effective communication is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated with diverse groups in the past, whether through presentations, reports, or community engagement activities.
✨Demonstrate Your Proactivity
Be ready to discuss instances where you've taken initiative in previous roles. Highlight your ability to identify needs within communities and how you've proactively addressed them, showcasing your resourcefulness and can-do attitude.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration
Community Action Suffolk values teamwork, so be prepared to share experiences that illustrate your ability to work collaboratively. Discuss how you've contributed to team success and supported colleagues in achieving common goals.
