Temporary Graduate Engagement Officer

Job Description

This document is available in Welsh.

RCT Council's Graduate Programme 2026

A Graduate Placement with Award-Winning RCT Council is a step towards an excellent career.

Making A Difference with RCT Council

This is an exciting and challenging time for RCT Council as we continue to provide high-quality services while 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 preparing to recruit to its Graduate Programme, offering 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.

Democratic Services

The services of Democratic Services (Council Business Unit), Consultation, Communication and Welsh Language sit within the Chief Executive Directorate, under the leadership of the Service Director of Democratic Services, Welsh Language and Communication.

The Council Business Unit assists and supports Elected Members in undertaking their role, ensuring sufficient support and training is provided to all 75 Members. The Unit is also responsible for ensuring the decisions taken by the Council adhere to the appropriate governance arrangements needed, ensuring openness and transparency whilst also promoting public engagement and awareness raising in the democratic process.

Working closely with the Council’s consultation team we ensure the public's views in relation to Council decisions are sought and reported appropriately to the relevant decision makers.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking someone passionate to put the voice of the people at the heart of democracy within Rhondda Cynon Taf, providing the public, especially young people and those disenfranchised with the knowledge and awareness of the democratic process including awareness raising for the ‘right to vote’ and the impact ‘their voice and vote’ can have on the local communities they live. As we approach the 2027 local government elections, there is a critical opportunity to expand civic education, deepen community engagement and ensure that every resident understands the power of their vote and their voice.

Such a role will include planning and delivering a wide range of engagement activities including educational programmes within schools, face-to-face and online engagement within the community, surveys and focus groups, social media and public events, and much more besides.

Essential Criteria

• A minimum 2:2 degree (or equivalent) in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, or Politics.

Additional Responsibilities

The successful applicant will be responsible for planning and delivering a wide range of engagement activities including educational programmes within schools, face-to-face and online engagement, surveys, focus groups, social media initiatives, and public events.

Staff Benefits Package

• Tailored induction programme
• Ongoing support from a dedicated Graduate Co-ordinator
• Hybrid working opportunities
• Pension Scheme
• 26 days annual leave (Plus bank holidays)
• Financial management scheme
• Subsidised membership fees for Leisure Centres within RCT
• Vivup discount card for businesses

Protecting children and vulnerable adults is a core responsibility of all staff appointed to the Council.

In addition to this safeguarding responsibility, the successful applicant for this role will also be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

Diversity and Inclusion

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 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, we thank you 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.