Project Groundwater Communities & Engagement Officer

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and motivated PG Communities & Engagement Officer to lead the delivery of high-quality communications and engagement activity for Project Groundwater (PG).

This is a pivotal role within one of Buckinghamshire Council’s flagship flood resilience and innovation programmes, working with communities, partners and stakeholders to improve understanding of groundwater flooding and to build long-term community flood resilience across the Chilterns.

This is a secondment/fixed‑term contract opportunity up to until 31 March 2027 (inclusive).

About us

The Climate Change and Flood Risk Management (CC&FRM) Team ages flood risk in Buckinghamshire in its role as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), as well as managing the Council’s response to climate change. The Team is comprised of the Flood Management Team, the Sustainable Drainage Team, Project Groundwater, the Flood Capital Programme Team, and the Climate Response Team, with officers who are enthusiastic and passionate about managing local flood risk and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The CC&FRM Team delivers the statutory duties of the LLFA under the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) and Land Drainage Act (1991); develops and delivers a wide range of flood management and research projects; guides the flood management approach regarding large infrastructure projects; helps households reduce their energy and carbon emissions; and manages a large tree planting programme, and the council’s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy. Project Groundwater is one of the country’s leading flood risk innovation projects. It is part of the Flood & Coastal Resilience & Innovation Programme, a six-year programme working with communities in nine high-risk flood areas of the Chiltern Hills and Berkshire Downs. Led by Buckinghamshire Council in partnership with five other local authorities and flood community groups, Project Groundwater aims to forever transform how communities prepare and respond to groundwater flooding. It has a high profile and the work it delivers is critical to achieving the following objectives in our Local Flood Risk Management Strategy:

• to develop and promote better understanding and awareness of flood risk from all sources, now and in the future.
• to improve innovation, skills and resourcing in flood risk management in Buckinghamshire.

About the role

The PG Communities & Engagement Officer will be responsible for coordinating and delivering communications and engagement activity across Project Groundwater

Reporting to the PG Project Team Leader, you will work closely with Project Groundwater colleagues, partner authorities and community groups to ensure communications and engagement activity is effective, collaborative and aligned to programme objectives.

Key responsibilities:

• Delivering the agreed communications and engagement objectives for Project Groundwater
• Increasing awareness and understanding of groundwater flooding amongst communities, partners and stakeholders
• Supporting and sustaining engagement with pilot communities to enable effective two-way exchange of insight and data
• Developing and managing programme messaging, key narratives and responses to stakeholder enquiries
• Managing programme branding and ensuring consistency across all channels
• Creating and curating high-quality content for digital, print and partner channels
• Managing and developing the programme website, newsletters and social media presence
• Planning and delivering engagement activities and events, including community sessions, workshops and industry events
• Showcasing programme progress, learning and achievements locally and nationally
• Sharing learning and best practice across the flood risk management and resilience sector

About you

You will bring substantial experience in communications and/or community engagement, ideally within a public sector, partnership or programme environment.

You will have strong interpersonal and influencing skills, experience of working collaboratively with partners, communities and stakeholders, excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong planning and organisational capability, and good ICT skills including confident use of Microsoft 365 and digital engagement platforms.

An understanding of flood risk management is desirable but not essential.

The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

For further information on this role please see the attached job summary.

Other information

You will be required to attend Walton Street Offices typically two days per week, and community or partner meetings as required by the role.

If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact: Louise Bower, Flood Programme Manager, via email: [email protected] and Luciano Lopes, Project Groundwater Project Team Leader, via email: [email protected].

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire.  We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

 Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

 It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/