At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community programmes, monitor activities, and engage with local residents to co-design initiatives.
- Company: Toynbee Hall, a charity dedicated to tackling poverty and inequality in East London.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, enhanced sick pay, and support for mental health and well-being.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to creating a fairer society.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing valuable skills and connections.
- Qualifications: Experience in community engagement, strong networking skills, and understanding of poverty-related issues.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About Toynbee Hall
Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.
Scope of the role
The CDO holds primary responsibility for monitoring and quarterly reporting of the Linkage Plus, Mayors Fund and other community programmes. The CDO will also hold primary responsibility for leading and chairing quarterly meetings with Linkage hubs and the equivalent in other programmes as well as commissioners/funders. The CDO will hold primary responsibility for coordinating with Linkage hubs (4 community centre hubs).
Key Responsibilities
- Linkage and Community programme development: Support the Community Programme Manager to collaborate with local residents to co-design a range of community activities and programmes that address the needs and interests of the community.
- Monitoring, reporting and evaluation: Lead on the effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting of Communities Programme activity and outcomes. This includes collecting and analysing data, maintaining accurate records, and leading on all aspects of funder and internal reporting, including quarterly reports.
- Community Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with service users to ensure the centre remains responsive to the evolving needs of the community.
- Collaborative Partnerships: Support the Communities team to establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with Linkage partner organisations, local charities, community stakeholders, statutory services, commissioning bodies and potential funders to strengthen local networks, improve service coordination and support positive outcomes for residents.
- Organisational working: Contribute to the overall development and implementation of Toynbee Hall’s strategy. Build good working relationships across the organisation.
Managing Yourself
- Work toward an agreed annual work-plan meeting targets and milestones.
- Prioritise and manage your workload.
Person Specification
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Essential Criteria
- Demonstrable understanding of community engagement, co-design and empowerment methods.
- Strong networking skills and the ability to build partnerships with organisations.
- Experience of working with local commissioners and funders, including producing accurate and timely monitoring, evaluation and progress reports against key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Experience of working with vulnerable members of the community who struggle to access support; understanding their needs and the complexities of building trust with communities that experience structural inequality.
- Knowledge of poverty-related issues and a commitment to addressing them.
- Understanding and experience of safeguarding processes and supporting teams to understand and implement safeguarding policies and procedures.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of resources and services available to older individuals within the community.
- Our community speaks over 33 languages, such as Sylheti; an ability to speak a South Asian language would be helpful.
Our Benefits Package
We believe in supporting our employees with a well-rounded benefits package designed to enhance work-life balance, financial security, and overall well-being.
- Annual Leave: 25 days of annual leave, plus 3 additional days for our Christmas shutdown (on top of bank holidays). After 2 years: +3 extra days of leave. After 3 years: +1 additional day. After 5 years: A total of 30 days annual leave.
- Pension: Standard Life Pension Scheme – Employer contribution: 4%, Employee contribution: 5%.
- Additional Perks & Support: Enhanced Sick Pay for peace of mind during illness, Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to support growing families, Employee Eyecare Vouchers to support your vision health, Employee Assistance Programme for free, confidential advice and support, Mental Health First Aid to ensure workplace well-being, Tenancy Deposit Scheme to help secure your home, Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan for cost-effective commuting, Cycle to Work Scheme to promote a healthier, greener way to travel, Charity Mentoring Network to support professional development and networking, Westfield Health Cash Plan to cover your healthcare needs specified in the policy, Perk Box, Life Insurance.
We’re committed to creating a supportive and rewarding work environment, because when our team thrives, we all succeed!
How to Apply
Complete our online application form, attach your CV and a Cover Letter. Application deadline is 28 June 2026. Please note the right to work in the UK is a requirement of this role.
Please refer to the attached job description for more details.
Community Development Officer in London employer: Toynbee Hall
Toynbee Hall is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment in the heart of East London. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer an extensive benefits package that includes generous annual leave, enhanced sick pay, and professional development opportunities through our Charity Mentoring Network. Our collaborative culture encourages innovation and community engagement, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about social justice and making a tangible difference in the lives of others.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Development Officer in London
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Toynbee Hall.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Toynbee Hall.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Toynbee Hall.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Toynbee Hall. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Community Development Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Toynbee Hall. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Community Development Officer, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Toynbee Hall
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Toynbee Hall. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
