Community Engagement and Grants Officer

Job Description

Job Title: Community Engagement and Grants Officer
Salary: £29,253 – £32,736 per annum (pro rata if part-time)
Grade: C
Contract Type: Fixed Term – 3 years
Working Hours: 37 hours per week

About the Department

The Community Engagement and Grants Officer is a key part of the Council’s Community Development Team, which sits within the Communications and Engagement Service and supports residents to thrive, strengthen local networks and enable community‑led change. While the wider service focuses on building resilient, connected neighbourhoods, this role provides the practical link between engagement and delivery - turning community ideas into funded projects with real local impact.

Working across the Council and with elected members, residents and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector, the postholder will support the delivery of the Council’s Transforming Neighbourhoods Programme, helping communities access funding, influence local priorities and deliver initiatives that improve quality of life. Through transparent grant management, inclusive engagement and close partnership working, the role will play a vital part in widening participation, building community capacity and strengthening neighbourhood resilience across Thurrock.

About the Role

As a Community Engagement and Grants Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Managing community grant programmes end‑to‑end, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and maintaining accurate, auditable records.
• Supporting applicants and grant recipients by providing clear guidance on eligibility, assessment criteria and monitoring requirements.
• Coordinating grant assessment panels and administering applications, payments and documentation in a timely and transparent way.
• Monitoring funded activity, tracking outcomes, and preparing reports, updates and grant transparency information.
• Contributing to wider community engagement activities and working flexibly to meet service needs.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference by helping communities turn ideas into action, ensuring public funding is invested fairly and effectively, and supporting local projects that improve wellbeing, resilience and quality of life across Thurrock.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Experience of administering grant funding or managing funding programmes in line with financial and compliance requirements.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to provide clear guidance and build positive relationships with residents, community groups and partners.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, work to deadlines and maintain accurate records and monitoring information.
• Experience of working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, including voluntary, community and faith organisations.
• A commitment to inclusive engagement and ensuring under‑represented communities are supported to participate.

Essential qualifications: N/A

DBS Check: Yes – Basic Check Required

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 7th May 2026

Closing Date (Internal & External): 17th May 2026

Interview Date: Tuesday, 26th May 2026

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:

Rebecca Lee – Community Development Team Manager – rlee@thurrock.gov.uk

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

About us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council