About us

Locality is the national membership network for community organisations. Our goal is simple: to help local community organisations be the best that they can be and to create a supportive environment for their work.

You will be working for an organisation which really values it staff. In June 2024, we were awarded “We invest in people accreditation” as well as “We invest in wellbeing accreditation” through Investors in People.

Our workplace is one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop. Like many organisations in our sector, our staff team is under-represented by people from minoritised backgrounds. We are actively addressing this as an organisation with strong policies and actions around diversity, equity and inclusion and we strongly encourage applications from people from minoritised backgrounds.

Within this rewarding role, your vital work will assist us in helping communities thrive and empower countless people, giving you the chance to make your mark on a truly transformative organisation. Moreover, you will be immersed in an incredible and supportive environment, collaborating with a team that is committed to making the world a better place. So, if you’re ready to take on a new challenge and enrich your expertise, we would love to hear from you!

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to work with community organisations, Local Authorities and other organisations, delivering high quality support and business advice. Being part of the wider Locality team means your work will inform how we support community organisations right across the country, influencing campaigns and promoting community power.

You will be providing high quality organisational development support to community-based organisations and other stakeholders. This will be on a one-to-one basis, and through training, workshops and other methods

Duties will include:

• Delivering activity in your allocated geographic area and beyond, for example through consultancy, research, events, communications, producing reports or case studies

• Supporting the team with business development and income generation mainly through consultancy work; developing and responding to tenders and other opportunities that meet the aims of Locality and achieve income targets

• Helping to develop external relationships including partnerships and alliances to support Locality’s vison, values and ambitions

• Supporting our Membership Team by engaging with Locality members (community organisations), listening to their needs and utilising their experience, skills and knowledge

For more information about the role please see the full Job Description and Person Specification (PDF)

About you

Applicants must be able to demonstrate the following essential skills and experience:

Essential Experience:

• You will have experience of working in or supporting communities (whether in a paid or voluntary role)

Essential Skills:

• Skills, knowledge and confidence which will enable you to deliver credible advice to community businesses and organisations

• Excellent communication skills at all levels, digital and in person

• Comprehensive understanding of the diversity of the people and communities that our network serves including strong knowledge of the area in which you will be based

• Excellent at organising a varied workload and ‘self-management’ skills

• Proficient in the use of ICT within a work environment

For an idea of what the role is all about read A week in the life of a Community Organisation Development Officer

The Benefits

• Salary Band 3 – starting from £ 40,495 with incremental increases to £44,694 (including London Weighting of £4,500 depending on location of post).

• Flexible working and home working options

• 25 days’ holiday (increasing with length of service)

• Three grace days between Christmas and New Year

• Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

• Simply Health Cash Plan

• Interest-free season ticket loan

• Cycle to work scheme

Digital Open Day

This is an unusual role, and our experience is that many applicants struggle to understand the full extent of the job, or the skills and experience required. Good applicants can come from a wide range of backgrounds. We held a digital open day to give candidates an opportunity to find out more. Please see below for a recording of the open day. we highly recommend you review this recording before making an application. 

Recording of the open day 

Agenda with timestamps:

00:00:00-00:05:11 – Introductions

Danielle welcomed everyone, outlined why we do the open days and gave an outline of the agenda; Danielle Newson - HR and Governance Officer

00:05:11-00:33:52  - About the role and Working at Locality

Dave and Louai discussed the details of the role and their experience of working at Locality; Dave Ahlquist - Development Manager and Louai Kaakani - Community Organisation Development Officer

00:33:52 - 00:53:46  – Q&A about the role

Dave and Louai answered question about the role; Dave Ahlquist - Development Manager and Louai Kaakani - Community Organisation Development Officer

00:53:46- – Application Process

Danielle talked through the process for applying via Applied; Danielle Newson - HR and Governance Officer

01:01:41-01:13:47 – Q&A

Final questions about the application process and the role; All

Application Process

If you would like to have an informal chat about the role, please contact David Ahlquist (Development Manager) on david.ahlquist@locality.org.uk to arrange a call.

Once you are ready, click the apply button where you will be asked to give some initial information and then be asked to submit answers to five capability questions.

Please consider your responses to these questions carefully. You will be able to save and go back to these up until you submit your application.

A note on generative AI/ChatGPT: We require candidates to confirm that they are personally answering the questions in their application, and that the answer is not one from generative software like ChatGPT. Our recruitment platform is working to enable detection of AI-generated content.

Finally, you will be asked to submit your CV.

Our normal process is to longlist initially, inviting candidates to a fifteen minute on-line informal interview to be held on Thursday 21st November 2024. As part of this process, we will talk about your level of experience and knowledge. If you are shortlisted, you will have the opportunity for feedback and coaching to help you prepare for the final interview which will take place Thursday 28th November 2024.

If you have any queries on the application process or want a confidential conversation about any element of our recruitment– please email danielle.newson@locality.org.uk