Digital Inclusion Officer

Job Description

Salary: £32,940 - £36,870 per annum Grade: D Fixed Term Contract (22 months) Full Time - 37 Hours per Week
This role is for someone who is passionate about helping others feel confident in taking their first steps into the digital world. It is not a technical support or teaching role and so you do not need to be a digital expert or have advanced IT skills to apply. Your key role would be to help bring people together and encourage them to explore benefits of being online (such as using email, filling online forms and searching the internet). You will also be supporting in sign posting them to the right services or digital support (such as Wiser 4 IT).

The Digital Inclusion Officer would be a member of the Library Development Team, funded by the Integrated Commissioning Executive, working with Sheltered Housing and Public Health.

The Library Development Team is responsible for promoting the wide library offer within local communities and libraries, working with adults, families and children.

Key responsibilities include:

• Increase the capacity of the Library Development Team to expand their current digital inclusion support for residents in Thurrock. The job initially focusing on those from Thurrock’s sheltered housing complexes. The aim is to develop peer-led digital inclusion support resulting in further peer-based support groups within community venues such as sheltered housing and libraries.
• To promote local opportunities to residents to learn digital skills (including online opportunities such as Learn my Way) undertaken in small groups and to support residents to gain and maintain skills through to the initiation of peer-based self-sustaining Internet clubs in the community.
• Collaborate with local partners and other council departments to take forward community led initiatives.
• To assist the Senior Engagement Officer: Digital with delivering a sustainable peer-led digital inclusion programme within Sheltered Housing Complexes and the local community over a period of 22 months.
  

To succeed in this role you will need to demonstrate exceptional communications skills, have an understanding and appreciation of the importance of digital inclusion for all and be able to build strong collaborative relationships with community organisations and stakeholders. Technical expertise of technology is not required - just n understanding and a passion to encourage the sharing of knowledge and skills with regards to digital devices.

You must be able to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings and be able to travel around the borough.

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required.

Advert Closing Date

• Redeployment Only: 31st July 2025
• Internal & External: 10th August 2025

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed To view the Job Profile and Person Specification please follow the link below:

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

Application Requirements

As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management is required for all Safeguarding roles. Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application.

If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.

Gaps in Employment Form

Gaps in Employment Example

About us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council