Southend-On-Sea Borough Council are proud to once again be participating in the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP) to find and develop future local government leaders. The programme offers graduates a unique opportunity to work across a multitude of local government departments, leading projects that will have an impact on local residents’ everyday lives.
About the role
Working Pattern: Full time, 2 year fixed term contract commencing October 2021
Hours: 37 per week Salary: £26,511
Across the two years you will work in at least three different placements across the council giving you exposure to a range of different projects, all of which will engage you in work that is vital to delivering the council’s key priorities and contributing towards the Southend 2050 ambition. As part of these placements you will have the opportunity to help tackle some of society’s biggest challenges such as social housing and education to social care and the environment. You will also have a unique chance to work alongside the council’s Chief Executive, thus gaining an insight into what it is like to work at the highest levels of local government.
Across the two years we aim to help you develop to become an effective change agent in the Council, and want to help you realise your leadership potential in a challenging and rapidly changing sector.
Whilst on the programme you will also take part in the NGDP’s leadership development course whereby upon the successful completion of a series of regional meetings, online tutorials and course assignments, you will be accredited an ILM Level 7 Certificate in Leadership and Management.
“I had a fantastic time on the NGDP at Southend and felt both supported and challenged to deliver outcomes for our community. Southend's grad scheme transformed my understanding of local government and helped me to develop leadership skills that have proved critical in my first managerial role with the council. Highly recommended!”
Previous Southend NGDP Graduate (2018-2020)
“During my time on the scheme I was able to work across a range of interesting high-level projects. Since the end of my time on the scheme I have continued to work across various roles at Southend Council and I have moved into a management position. I have always felt valued and supported to look for opportunities to build my career.”
Previous Southend NGDP Graduate (2015-2017)
About you
We are looking to recruit graduates from different backgrounds, universities, and degree disciplines in order to reflect the diverse community that we serve. Successful candidates will demonstrate a real passion for a career in local government and the borough, whilst also demonstrating their competency of the NGDP’s key skills and behaviours throughout a multi-stage application process.
Who can apply?
To be eligible you must:
- Have obtained a 2:2 undergraduate degree or higher by end of July 2021
- Live, work or study within the boundary of Southend-On-Sea Borough Council
- Have the right to work in the UK without employer sponsorship
Why should I apply?
- This is the only dedicated programme that enables you to fast-track your career in local government leadership.
- The NGDP is a highly prestigious scheme – Ranked as one of The Times top 100 graduate employers.
- A chance to constantly influence senior decision making across a variety of departments.
- The scheme is highly valued by Southend’s chief executive Alison Griffin, who offers all graduates an opportunity to work alongside her as part of their programme.
- Candidates will become part of a national cohort of over 120 graduates, with access to the NGDP’s networks, development plan, and national events.
- Respected ILM Level 7 Certificate in Leadership and Management upon completion.
Applications are now open and will close at midnight on 05/01/2021
Please read before applying:
Should you choose to apply to this role please note that your application will be held by the Local Government Association (LGA) who host the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP). As the employer, Southend on Sea Borough Council will have access to view essential details that allow us to shortlist against their selection criteria for local candidates. You can find more information regarding the LGA’s privacy statement on the application page (follow apply link below).
Your local application will progress in the same timeframe as the NGDP’s national campaign and you will be assessed alongside national candidates. The NGDP facilitates the assessment of all nominated local candidates in line with national candidates to ensure they meet the same standard. Successful candidates will become part of the national cohort with access to NGDP learning and development, networks and knowledge events, but will be exclusively interviewed by their chosen council as a successful local candidate.
What is different about applying to become a local candidate versus the national campaign?
Local campaigns offer an opportunity for the authority to recruit within their community and their existing graduate employees.
By applying to be a local candidate, if successful at stage three, you will interview exclusively with your chosen authority. If successful at interview, you will be offered an exciting opportunity to contribute to your community by working at the local council and as a National Management Trainee, you will be valued by the organisation and will be encouraged to challenge, innovate and improve services.
You will not be required to compete with the national candidates for an interview with your chosen council and will be guaranteed an interview should you meet the pass boundaries at stage three. Please be advised that as a local candidate you will interview for this authority only and will not be guaranteed an interview anywhere else.
Graduates who are offered and accept a place will be employed by the local authority and work in different departments throughout the programme. More information on NGDP is available on the LGA website www.local.gov.uk/national-graduate-development-programme
Data transparency statement
Before applying you will be directed to the LGA’s privacy statement. Please be advised that by applying for this local campaign you are accepting that the local authority will have access to view your application in order to shortlist effectively against their criteria.
The Local Government Association used anonymised/blind recruitment for all applications. This means that the local authority will not you will not be able to see the personal details of the candidates applying to their campaign at shortlisting stage. Instead, they will be able to see the unique candidate ID of each candidate. After shortlisting has taken place the council will be able to view your name and will have access to contact you at each stage unless you choose to withdraw.
For more detail on the application process or to find further information please go to:
https://www.local.gov.uk/national-graduate-development-programme/ngdp-candidates
Or to discuss the opportunity further please contact:
Helen Brand, HR Resourcing Advisor HelenBrand@southend.gov.uk
Ria Hart, Assistant HR Resourcing Advisor RiaHart@southend.gov.uk