Graduate Programme – Project Officer

Richmond & Wandsworth Councils are offering a Graduate Development Programme where graduates support council policy, administration, research, stakeholder coordination, and public service delivery while completing a work-related qualification.

We are looking for a diverse group of highly talented and motivated graduates to join our Graduate Development Programme as Project Officers.  You will be innovative, adaptable, enthusiastic and able to demonstrate a strong commitment to working to improve the boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth.  You will quickly take on responsibility for projects that will make a real contribution towards the impact and efficiency of local public services including contributing to our work supporting local communities, organisations and businesses. 
 
Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work across both councils, each with distinct political priorities and ways of working.

You will be based across locations including Wandsworth and Twickenham, contributing to high‑profile programmes such as Climate Change, Cost of Living initiatives, Adult Social Care and  Public Health, Children’s Services, Housing, IT and Digital Transformation and wider organisational change through our Transformation Programme.

The role is varied and may involve developing policy, supporting events and communications, undertaking research, and engaging directly with local communities.

Throughout the programme you will have a placement manager and a supervisor as well as your colleagues to support your development.  There will be opportunities to shadow Executive Directors and senior managers, to attend meetings with Elected Members to understand the political context of your work, and to participate in events.

You will also undertake a work-related qualification which will enhance your career prospects by developing your planning, communication, organisation, and management skills.

About You

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

We welcome graduates from all backgrounds, degree subjects and universities but you must have (or expect to achieve) a minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate degree by July 2026.  

You also need to:  

• have the right to work in the UK (we are unable to apply for visa’s).   

• be within two years of graduating from your first degree.

• a minimum of 5 GCSE’s grades A-C or grades 4-9, including Maths and English (or equivalent).  

• have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the last three years (to meet funding requirements for training that you will undertake). 

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to progress to pay Scale 6 in their second year (subject to meeting requirements). 

About the role

Please see Job Description and Person Specification which describes the varied tasks in this role which includes:

• Assisting in the formulation, planning and monitoring of policies and procedures.

• Supporting the implementation of council decisions and circulate reports accordingly.

• Coordinating, scheduling, and providing support for meetings, including preparing agendas, sending invitations, booking venues or virtual meeting links, taking minutes, and ensuring necessary materials and technology are available.

• Researching, preparing and writing up reports and briefing papers for managers and Elected Members.

• Working collaboratively with council departments and external partners and agencies, including the private and voluntary sector.

Please see the attached Power Point Presentation on the Graduate Development Programme Applicants Information Session 2026

Closing Date

Monday, 25th May at 23:59 (any applications submitted after this time will be automatically rejected by our online recruitment service, this is a non-negotiable deadline)

Useful Information:

We strongly advise you to take time to complete your application fully before submitting it to us. Any applications which are not fully completed will automatically be rejected. All shortlisting is undertaken anonymously i.e. your personal details are removed from the application process.   We will reject applications which we feel have relied too heavily on AI (i.e. over 30% of the application is AI generated)