Senior Voluntary & Community Sector (VCS) Development Officer

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Corporate Strategy & Communities Service for a Senior Voluntary & Community Sector (VCS) Development Officer to help deliver the Council’s Strategic Plan 2022-26 by working in partnership with the VCS.

Tower Hamlets has an active voluntary and community sector, with over 1,300 organisations providing important services, activities, and events that improve the quality of life for the community.

The Council has a vision to invest in a thriving and diverse voluntary and community sector to enable it to achieve positive outcomes for Tower Hamlets residents. This role provides a fantastic opportunity to help us achieve our vision.

The purpose of this post is to gain an in-depth understanding of Council priorities and the needs of Tower Hamlets residents and support the development of the voluntary and community sector and help access external funding opportunities so they can deliver projects that address these priorities.

About you

As a practitioner, with significant knowledge and experience of the working with the VCS, you will have:

• The ability to building strong relationships with the voluntary and community sector from all sections of the community.
• An in depth understanding of external funding sources and opportunities that VCS organisations can access.
• Experience in building the capacity of VCS organisations so they can secure funding and deliver outcomes successfully.

For an informal discussion please contact our Voluntary & Community Sector Grants Lead, Robert Mee at [email protected]

Tower Hamlets vision for our borough is that: people are aspirational, independent and have equal access to opportunities; we are a borough that our residents are proud of and love to live in; and we are a dynamic, outcomes-based council using digital innovation and partnership working to respond to the changing needs of our borough. We want people who aspire to our TOWER values: Together; Open; Willing; Excellent; Respect.

Tower Hamlets has a zero-tolerance approach to, and works to eradicate, all forms of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, status as a civil partner, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and maternity and looks to employ a diverse workforce representative of those groups. We recognise that people can also be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class.

We welcome applicants interested in flexible working arrangements and applicants who live in the borough.

Tower Hamlets is a truly unique borough at the heart of London – a place where history and innovation sit side by side. From the docks and markets that shaped the East End to the global business hub of Canary Wharf, we are proud to be one of the most dynamic, diverse, and ambitious communities in the UK. We are also one of the fastest growing and youngest boroughs in the country, offering unrivalled opportunities to make a real difference to people’s lives. Our residents are energetic, creative, and resilient, and our council is committed to delivering the best possible services and opportunities for them.

Our award-winning new Town Hall in Whitechapel provides a modern, flexible workplace for our staff, right at the heart of the borough and directly opposite Whitechapel Tube and Elizabeth line station. It is more than just a workplace – it’s a hub for collaboration, innovation and community, designed to bring out the best in our people.

As an employer, we put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. Our active Employee Network Groups celebrate and champion our workforce, helping to ensure that everyone feels a sense of belonging. Guided by our TOWER values – Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and Respect – we are building a positive, inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive.

At Tower Hamlets Council, you’ll find exciting challenges, supportive colleagues, and the chance to shape one of London’s most important and vibrant places. If you’re looking for a role where you can see the impact of your work every day, then Tower Hamlets is the place for you.