At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with communities to restore and reconnect the Salmons Brook, enhancing local environments.
- Company: Thames21, an environmental charity dedicated to healthy rivers and community engagement.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all our projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local communities and the environment while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for community engagement and environmental issues.
Are you ready to apply? Make sure you understand all the responsibilities and tasks associated with this role before proceeding.
Salary: £34,169 - £36,351 at £17,085 - £18,175 at 0.5 FTE
Contract length: Fixed Term to 31 December 2027, possible extension. 0.5FTE (17.5 hours per week)
Location: We offer hybrid working with office work in the Guildhall, City of London and Bow, East London and project work in London Borough of Enfield
Responsible to: Engagement Programme Manager
About Thames21: Thames21 is an environmental charity putting healthy rivers at the heart of community life. Through environmental improvements, community engagement, education and advocacy we bring about effective and lasting change by working hand-in-hand with communities to deliver tangible and measurable improvements to our network of rivers.
Diversity at Thames21: We at Thames21, work with diverse communities and as such we view Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as being key to our success and as such we employ staff from a diverse range of backgrounds, this we feel is key in ensuring that everybody has an equal opportunity and is not treated differently or discriminated against because of their characteristics. We value the voices of our individual employees, and we strive to work in a collaborative, innovative balanced way. The postholder must actively support this.
About the project: Salmons Brook Restore and Reconnect is a bold and pioneering project. It will restore 3.4km of the Salmons Brook through Enfield Chase, transforming council-owned farmland into a thriving river landscape. It forms a critical early phase of a wider Landscape Recovery scheme, it marks the first use of Stage Zero principles in London, returning the river to its natural, pre-human state. The restoration will create a dynamic, multi-channel system with wetlands and wet woodlands, boosting biodiversity and climate resilience. It will help protect around 2,000 properties from flooding downstream in Edmonton and has been described by the Environment Agency as “the single most important piece of river restoration work in London to date.” Local communities will be at the heart of the project. Through inclusive engagement, especially with underrepresented groups, the project will turn the Salmons Brook into a shared space for nature, wellbeing, and connection, delivering lasting environmental and social impact.
Purpose of the job: We are seeking a skilled engagement officer to work on our projects in London and the Thames Basin. This role offers an opportunity for the post holder to make a difference to diverse areas of London, with differing challenges and an array of ambitions.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Map the communities in Edmonton to understand local demographics and identify key stakeholders.
- Through a range of activities and meetings, get to know, listen to and build strong working partnerships with community groups and leaders, organisations, institutions and residents, that support, enable, and champion the project.
- Run public consultations and focus groups with underrepresented communities in the environmental sector to explore perceptions, barriers, and ideas about the Salmons Brook River and Enfield Chase.
- Deliver bespoke activities and events co-designed with focus group participants, ensuring activities are culturally relevant, accessible, and responsive to community needs.
- Collaboratively design a Programme of River Activities, shaped by local communities and relationships with existing volunteer groups, offering inclusive activities such as guided walks, arts-based sessions, and wellbeing events.
- Build a catchment-wide community network, uploading details to Thames21’s CRM system in line with GDPR.
- Represent Thames21 and Salmon’s Brook Restore and Reconnect at relevant local forums and proactively recruit volunteers through in-person engagement events.
- Collect and record qualitative and quantitative data on events and activities run, including written and verbal feedback from partners and participants, photos and numbers of attendees keeping to GDPR requirements. Evaluate this information to develop the methods for engagement and inform future activities.
- Carry out the administrative duties to run events including conducting risk assessments and method statements, managing event registrations, liaising with local councils and community groups and maintaining and managing events equipment.
- Work with the Thames21 Training Officer, to facilitate volunteers to be trained in Thames21’s modules to maintain and monitor local sites. Includes supporting existing volunteers and assisting with building their capacity and connection to the Thames21 network.
Other Duties: This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within Thames21. At various times the post-holder will be directed to carry out other reasonable duties in support of other Thames21 activities that are consistent with those in this Job Description.
Engagement Officer employer: Thames21
Thames21 is an exceptional employer that champions environmental sustainability while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With a focus on community engagement and personal development, employees have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on local ecosystems and communities in London. The hybrid working model and commitment to diversity ensure a supportive environment where every voice is valued, making it a rewarding place to grow professionally and personally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engagement Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Thames21 and their projects. Understanding their mission and values will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and boost your confidence when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for community engagement! Be ready to share examples of how you've worked with diverse groups in the past. Highlighting your experience will demonstrate that you’re the right fit for the Engagement Officer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Engagement Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Before you dive into your application, take a moment to really grasp what the Engagement Officer role is all about. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities and tasks mentioned in the job description so you can tailor your application accordingly.
Show Your Passion:We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference in the community and the environment. Make sure to highlight any relevant experiences or projects that showcase your commitment to community engagement and environmental issues.
Be Specific:When writing your application, don’t just list your skills—give us examples! Share specific instances where you've successfully engaged with communities or led projects. This helps us see how you can bring your unique flair to our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our mission there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thames21
✨Know the Project Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the Salmons Brook Restore and Reconnect project. Understand its goals, the communities it impacts, and how it aligns with Thames21's mission. This knowledge will show your genuine interest and help you articulate how you can contribute.
✨Showcase Your Engagement Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with diverse communities in the past. Think about specific activities or events you've led, especially those that involved underrepresented groups. Be ready to discuss how you built partnerships and gathered feedback.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity and Diversity
Thames21 values equity, diversity, and inclusion. Highlight your understanding of these principles and share experiences where you've worked to ensure all voices are heard. Discuss how you would approach engaging with different demographics in Edmonton.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions about the role and the organisation. Inquire about the challenges they face in community engagement or how they measure the success of their projects. This shows you're not just interested in the job, but also in contributing to their mission.
