We are recruiting for a Community Engagement Officer

News - 10 November 2023

Are you passionate about improving health and social care services for local people?
Join our team!

Healthwatch Southwark is recruiting for a Community Engagement Officer.

Community Engagement Officer

Salary: £28,890 per annum
Hours of work: 35 per week (including occasional evenings and weekends)
Location: 11 Market Place, Bermondsey SE16 3UQ (The postholder will spend a minimum of two days per week in the office and the community.)
Benefits: 30 days holiday (exclusive of public/bank holidays) per annum, Flexible working, Pension-Employer contribution: 5%, £530 annual training allowance, Enhanced maternity and paternity pay, 2 volunteering days per annum, Cycle to Work scheme
Closing Date: 4th December 2023, 11am GMT

The organisation

Community Southwark is the umbrella body for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in Southwark. Our members are not for profit groups and organisations operating in Southwark. We support charities, community groups and individuals through capacity building, networks, and volunteering. 

We are proud to host Healthwatch Southwark (HWS) and support its work in connecting individuals and community groups to Health and Social Care Providers, ensuring their voices are heard and able to influence change.

The Role

This role is at the heart of engaging with communities to support local people to access Health and Social Care, and make sure their voices are heard so that services can improve.

This is an exciting time to join us with a strong Advisory Board, a stable local authority contract, and a clear purpose - to use the authority and position of Healthwatch to support historically under-represented communities in Southwark to make change.

We welcome applications from all sectors and experience levels. We particularly encourage applications from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people and people from the LGBTQ+ communities.

Job Description

Principal Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Build relationships with historically under-represented communities

2. Gather and present feedback about health and social care services

3. Promote HWS in the community

4. Support people with signposting

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Needed

Track record of successfully engaging communities in a proactive, sensitive, and supportive manner.
Excellent networking, presentation and communication skills.
Passion for quality public health and care services and strong appreciation for the role of patient and public voice in achieving this.
Experience of organising engaging events.
Reliable and highly organised, with ability to flexibly and efficiently manage varied and rapidly changing tasks,
High levels of initiative and a proactive, constructive, and transparent approach to challenges and opportunities.