Community Engagement Project Officer

A major current focus is food security, working closely with foodbanks, social supermarkets and community food projects to improve access to affordable food, reduce inequalities and strengthen local resilience.

A key part of the role is making connections, between projects, partners, services and residents. You will work closely with local food initiatives to ensure residents can access healthy, affordable food, alongside wraparound support such as cookery skills, financial resilience and wider health and wellbeing services. You’ll nurture local networks, support collaboration and help community groups build confidence and capability.

This role is about building confidence, connection and resilience in communities. You will support partners to share learning and good practice, identify local needs and strengths and co‑create practical solutions. You’ll play a key role in supporting the Healthy Food for All Steering Group, convening organisations such as Citizens Advice, the Volunteer Centre, LiveWell Dorset and local food projects. Through this work, more residents will be able to access support earlier, feel heard and empowered and become better connected to the services and opportunities around them.

This is a multifaceted and rewarding role for someone who is a natural connector, a thoughtful listener and a positive, diplomatic presence. You will bring energy, compassion and curiosity to your work, helping communities navigate challenges and celebrate their strengths. A commitment to equality, amplifying residents’ voices and supporting diverse communities to shape their own solutions is essential. The successful candidate will join a friendly, committed team that values collaboration, curiosity and positive change.

If you are driven by making a difference, enjoy working with people from all walks of life and believe in the power of community, this role offers a rare and meaningful opportunity to turn those values into action every day.

Beyond the generic job description, we are looking for someone who has:

• Proven experience working with or within voluntary and community sector organisations (VCSEs), with an understanding of the challenges they face, including those related to food security.
• Strong relationship building skills, with the ability to form and maintain partnerships across community groups, VCSE organisations, health partners and local councils.
• Skilled facilitation abilities, with confidence in leading community engagement activities, local network meetings, multi‑agency discussions and steering groups.
• The ability to interpret community insights, identify emerging needs and trends, and use this understanding to inform local solutions and strategic priorities.
• Knowledge of prevention, community development approaches, coproduction and strengths-based practice, particularly relating to food security and cost of living challenges.
• The ability to help community projects access training, build capacity and strengthen governance (e.g., safeguarding, food hygiene, volunteer management).
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating community networks and project activity and gathering evidence of impact and outcomes.
• An understanding of local government structures, governance and the role of engagement in shaping equitable services.
• Confidence in representing the Council in community settings, VCSE networks and multi‑agency forums.
• High level ICT proficiency, including Microsoft 365 and digital collaboration tools.
• Diplomatic communication skills, with the ability to manage sensitive conversations and support diverse community groups.
• A flexible, adaptable approach, able to work across multiple strands of activity and support colleagues across the team as required.