Communities Officer – Kesgrave, Rushmere St Andrew, Martlesham, Carlford and Fynn Valley Community Partnership area
* East Suffolk Council – Based in Melton, Woodbridge IP12 1RT or Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0EQ
* £33,024 - £40,221 (Band 6/7)
* 37 hours per week
* Fixed Term to January 2027
East Suffolk Council is an exciting place to work, delivering essential local services and making a real difference to a quarter of a million people across East Suffolk. We currently have an opportunity to join East Suffolk Council's Communities and Leisure Services as a Communities Officer on a Fixed Term Maternity Cover for 12/18 months.
Your role:
Join Us in Shaping Stronger Communities Across East Suffolk
We're looking for a proactive and passionate individual to help drive positive change across our communities. In this dynamic role, you'll work collaboratively with Council services, local partners, businesses, and residents to deliver on five key outcomes:
* Improved quality of life for individuals, families, communities, and organisations
* Stronger, more connected and inclusive communities
* Support for vulnerable individuals and families to live safely and independently
* Better mental and physical health and reduced health inequalities
* Empowered communities that can help themselves and access the right support when needed
As the Lead Officer for the Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth and surrounding villages Community Partnership, you'll use data and local insight to identify community strengths and needs. You'll support elected members and residents with a focus on:
* Asset-Based Community Development
* Community Safety and Anti-Social Behaviour reduction
* Enhancing mental and physical health and wellbeing
If you're ready to make a real impact and help build resilient, thriving communities, we'd love to hear from you.
What you will need:
The post holder will have a relevant degree/appropriate professional qualification or the equivalent level of practical experience. Your experience will include work in community development/enabling, community safety, ASB and/or health/wellbeing in the public, private of voluntary sector. You'll be a great communicator, solution-focussed and enjoy problem solving.
If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don't meet all the essential requirements, please apply. We would welcome applications from candidates who are interested in a secondment to develop their experience and skills.
Why work for us?
East Suffolk Council is a great place to work and there are lots of benefits our employees can access. To find out more about why we are so proud of East Suffolk Council, take a look at our video and hear why our employees think it is such a great place to work (YouTube).
Here are some of the main benefits:
* Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 25 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays)
* Local government pension scheme
* Flexible working arrangements
* Learning and development tailored to your role
* A wide variety of staff support networks including access to health and wellbeing initiatives and programmes.
* Discounts on mobile phones, computers, holiday and travel, fashion and clothing, health and beauty and many other products and services.
Find more information about what we offer in our benefits brochure (pdf).
The majority of our teams are working in an agile way, with a mixture of home and office working, depending on individual preferences and service requirements. If you wish to discuss how that might impact your working arrangements if you were the successful candidate, please contact the recruiting manager listed at the bottom of this advert.
For more information
For an informal discussion regarding this post, please contact Nicole Rickard on
Closing date: 11.30pm Sunday 19th October 2025
Interview date: Week commencing 27th October 2025
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the advert and the Job Description and Person Specification (docx/pdf)
Step 2 - Complete the Supporting Statement template (docx). Your statement needs to indicate how you meet each of the criteria contained within the Person Specification. Please use the template provided (other formats will not be accepted).
Step 3 - Complete the online application and upload your statement. Please note, CVs are not accepted.
For more information, check out the How to Apply section of our Career Site (URL).
East Suffolk Council is an exciting place to work and a great place to make a real difference to people's lives, delivering vital services to a quarter of a million people across East Suffolk.
We hugely value our staff and know that in order for us to remain successful, it is essential for us to recognise talented employees, developing and retaining them within the organisation. We are therefore committed to investing in our staff and providing first-class support to ensure a positive culture and rewarding careers.
To find out more about why we are so proud of East Suffolk Council and to hear why our employees think it is such a great place to work, take a look at our video.