Community Engagement Officer

Lewisham Local has a unique role opportunity for an energetic, people-focused, self-motivated Community Engagement Officer to join us in supporting two key projects we are delivering in partnership with Lewisham Council: The Community Toilet Scheme and the Lewisham Community Directory project. This role involves outreach, relationship building, and data management to ensure the success of these initiatives. 

Main Responsibilities:

Community Toilet Scheme: 

• Engage with local businesses to educate them on the benefits of participating in the Scheme. 
• Secure agreements with businesses to provide public toilet access for the community. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with participating businesses, providing ongoing support and resources. 
• Monitor and evaluate the success of the scheme, gathering feedback and reporting on participation. 
• Publicity and Communication:
  • Online: Create a dedicated website/section with an interactive map of participating businesses and their amenities.
  • Social media: Promote the scheme, share success stories, and engage with the community on platforms like Twitter or “X”, Facebook, and Instagram.
  • Traditional Media: Use press releases and local media outlets to publicise the scheme and its benefits.
  • Signage: Ensure clear signage at participating businesses, directing the public to toilet facilities.
  • Community Engagement: Partner with local groups and organisations to raise awareness and encourage participation.

Lewisham Community Directory: 

• Promote the use of the directory among local community sector stakeholders, including local organisations and residents. 
• Conduct outreach to ensure the directory is up-to-date and comprehensive, reflecting the diverse range of services and resources available in Lewisham’s community sector. 
• Develop strategies to increase awareness and use of the directory among VCS stakeholders. 
• Collect and analyse data on directory usage to measure its impact and identify areas for improvement. 
• Publicity and Communications:
  • Online: Maintain a user-friendly and up-to-date website with clear navigation and search functionality.
  • Social media: Regularly share updates, relevant information, and success stories on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
  • E-newsletters: Create and distribute regular e-newsletters highlighting new additions, updates, and featured resources in the directory.
  • Partnerships: Collaborate with local media outlets and community organisations to publicise the directory and its value.
  • Marketing and Promotion: Develop targeted campaigns to reach specific audiences, utilising online advertising, social media promotion, and community outreach.

Data Management: 

• Enter beneficiary data into Lewisham Local's Salesforce database, ensuring accuracy and completeness. 
• Maintain the database with updated information, supporting effective communication and reporting. 

Lewisham Local Team Responsibilities

• Build and share knowledge and intelligence: 
  • within the team to increase the effectiveness of the organisation.
  • with local partners via networks, communication and website to enable community sector development in Lewisham
• Establish new connections between organisations and individuals to access resources and contribute
• Be a visible, active, positive and engaging presence within the community and at local events, activities and meetings. 
• Help team members at times of increased workload and/or specific events in collaboration through discussion with the VCS Programmes Manager
• Attend regular team meetings and supervision sessions as required.

This is not an exhaustive list of tasks and you may be asked to undertake any other reasonable duties in connection with the role. Job descriptions are reviewed regularly and may be amended at any time in accordance with the needs of the organisation.

Availability

This post requires working on occasional evenings and weekends and involves regular travel around the borough to local businesses.