Location
Thames21 Head Office, Central London and other Thames21 offices in London as required, including throughout the River Roding Catchment.

Hours
Part Time - 0.6 FTE (3 days per week)

Salary
Officer, Band C Level 1, £33,290 - £35,289 per annum equivalent (depending on experience and skill level)

About the Role
Thames21 is an environmental charity working across London and the Thames Basin to deliver nature-based solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis by restoring rivers and connecting communities to their local green-blue spaces. We are seeking a skilled Engagement Officer to deliver an innovative programme of community-led river engagement activities in and around the River Roding as part of the National Lottery Heritage Funded project, ‘The Roding Rises’.
This role involves engaging with groups from both urban and rural areas of the River Roding catchment to co-design activities that support the project’s activity plan and encourage participants along an engagement pathway from awareness to participation and independent action. You will work to build strong networks of grassroots organisations, community leaders, and representatives from public and private sectors, including councillors and politicians.
The key to success in this role is curiosity and the ability to connect with people, listen, ask questions, and encourage involvement in ways that suit individuals and communities. You will identify community strengths and create opportunities for them to flourish, establishing positive ongoing relationships between Londoners and their waterways.
A typical day may include monitoring activities across the Roding catchment, meeting key partners, attending network meetings, delivering community events, working from home or Thames21 offices, co-producing engagement events, managing social media or website updates, and contributing to strategic plans to share project learnings. You will balance both big-picture thinking and detailed delivery.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. While an interest in environmental issues is essential, prior experience in the environmental sector is not required for this community engagement role.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Co-produce and deliver an inclusive, culturally relevant programme of 21 events and activities over three years as part of the River Connections programme within The Roding Rises activity plan.
- Support delivery of the River Testimonies and Roding Arts and Walking Festival and community co-development aspects of the Roding Masterplan.
- Assist community groups and partners with applications to the Roding grants scheme.
- Conduct inclusive outreach activities engaging diverse people from rural and urban areas.
- Build and maintain a catchment-wide community network, managing data in Thames21’s CRM system in line with GDPR.
- Collect and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data from events and activities to inform future engagement.
- Manage event administration including risk assessments, registrations, liaison with councils and groups, and equipment management.
- Work with the Training Officer to establish and support volunteer groups trained in Thames21 modules to maintain and monitor local sites.
- Represent Thames21 and The Roding Rises at local forums and recruit volunteers through in-person engagement.
- Maintain clear records, update administration and statistics, and collaborate with the Communications Team to promote the project and celebrate achievements.
- Attend team meetings and liaise with Thames21 staff.
- Carry out other reasonable duties consistent with Thames21 activities as required.

Experience
Experience in community engagement or working with diverse groups is desirable but not essential. Interest in environmental issues is important. Experience working in the environmental sector is not required.

About You
You are curious, able to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, and skilled at listening and encouraging participation. You can identify community strengths and help create opportunities for growth. You are organised, proactive, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a team. You thrive in varied environments, from office settings to community events.

Qualifications
No specific qualifications are required for this role. A positive attitude, enthusiasm for community engagement, and an interest in environmental issues are essential.