Job Description
Mae’r ddogfen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg / This document is also available in Welsh.
RCT Council's Graduate Programme 2026
A Graduate placement with Award Winning RCT Council is a step in your journey to excellent career opportunities.
Making A Difference with RCT Council
This is both an exciting and challenging time for RCT Council as it seeks to continue to provide high quality services alongside delivering value for money. The role of local government in shaping the future of local communities is more important than ever. Working in Local Government offers some of the most intellectually stimulating challenges, as we provide services that affect thousands of lives in many different ways.
Maximise Your Potential
RCT Council is once again preparing to recruit to its Graduate Programme that provides fantastic opportunities to work in a vibrant environment, learn new and transferable skills, meet people from a range of backgrounds and develop a professional career in Rhondda Cynon Taf. All Graduate Officers will be supported to complete either a Level 4 Project Management qualification or job‑related technical training (all fully funded) as part of the programme.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Health Determinants Research Collaboration
The Council is committed to improving the life chances of its citizens through innovation, evidence‑informed practice and collaboration. We have secured funding from the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) to establish a new and innovative Rhondda Cynon Taf Health Determinants Research Collaboration (RCT HDRC). The HDRC involves teams across the Council, Cardiff University and academia, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTM UHB), Interlink RCT and third sector partners and Public Health Wales as well as citizens working as a partnership, to break the cycle of poverty and improve outcomes for residents.
RCT HDRC offers a new and innovative opportunity to work with academia, partners and our communities to establish a culture of evidence‑informed decision making, providing essential capacity to develop LA capability to undertake research and generate knowledge. This will enable the Council to make positive progress to achieve the vision of tackling poverty and reducing health inequalities in RCT and improving the lives and health of our residents into the future.
Who We’re Looking For
Successful candidate must have a minimum 2:1 degree or above in any discipline.
The HDRC Graduate role is a 20‑month contract working in the HDRC team, the contract will include working in Cardiff University (Wales Centre for Public Policy – WCPP) and the Council. The job role will not start until July 2026.
Whilst with WCPP the Graduate Officers will undertake the role of an Evidence Synthesis Support Officer as part of the central HDRC team, maximising opportunities to build their understanding and skills in relation to knowledge mobilisation whilst working on HDRC projects.
Whilst working with the Council the Graduate Officers will bring the learning, skills and experience gained in WCPP to support and further the transformational priorities of the Council, as directed by SLT, sharing their expertise in the use of evidence to support decision making and service change.
Having practical work experience in both academia and public services, upon completion graduates will be in a strong position to utilise these skills to secure roles in either environment.
We are looking for flexible and motivated graduates with a good understanding of research techniques and evidence gathering and a keen interest in the wider determinants of health who are passionate about improving the life chances of residents in RCT.
Staff Benefits Package
* Tailored induction programme
* Ongoing support from a dedicated Graduate Co‑ordinator
* Hybrid working
* Pension Scheme
* 26 days annual leave
* Financial management scheme
* Subsidised membership fees for Leisure Centres within RCT
* Vivup discount card for businesses
Use of AI Tools
* The content accurately represents your own experiences and qualifications
* You can clearly and confidently explain all aspects of your submission
* Your unique perspective comes through clearly
Please visit our website for further information on use of AI tools: RCT Graduate Platform
Application Form/Competencies
Each competency response must be limited to a maximum of 200 words and only your first 200 words for each response will be considered. Any response exceeding this limit may result in the application not being reviewed or shortlisted.
Additional Information
For further information regarding this position, please contact the Employment, Education & Training Team at eett@rctcbc.gov.uk
Protecting children and vulnerable adults is a core responsibility of all staff appointed to the Council.
The Council values diversity in its workforce. We are committed to ensuring that no unlawful discrimination occurs in the recruitment and selection process on the grounds of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, transgender, including those with non‑binary identities, religion or belief or pregnancy and maternity. We offer a number of staff networks for employees including the Allies Network, a Disability and Carers Network and Perthyn our LGBTQ+ Network.
An application submitted for this post in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.
As part of the Council’s longer term objectives in relation to the Welsh language and its Workforce Planning Strategy, it is committed to a guaranteed interview scheme for Welsh‑speakers of Level 3 and above. If you meet the essential criteria as identified in the person specification for the job and are a Welsh‑speaker of Level 3 and above, you will be invited to interview if you choose to participate in the scheme.
In view of the large number of Application Forms which are currently being submitted individual applications are not acknowledged. Consequently if you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application is unsuccessful on this occasion. In which case you are thanked for the interest you have shown in applying for a position within the Council.
In support of the Council’s voluntary pledge to support the Armed Forces, the recruiter must always be prepared to ensure that applicants who have identified themselves as members of the Armed Forces including Service Leavers, Veterans or Reservists and who meet the essential criteria of the person specification, are offered an interview.
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