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Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are looking to recruit a Strategic Planning Policy Officer to join our team based in Ipswich. You will be working 37 hours per week. The successful candidate will earn a competitive salary of £34,834 - £41,418 per annum (Plus Market Supplement until at least March 2025).

Full time, part time and job share opportunities will be considered. 

What we are looking for

We are looking for a Strategic Planning Policy Officer to join our team in Strategic Planning. To be successful, you will share our , commitment, and motivation to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities. 

The councils have recently adopted the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan Part 1 Development Plan Document in November 2023 and are now developing and progressing the Joint Local Plan Part 2 from the initial issues and options stage to adoption. 

About the role

The Strategic Planning team are also responsible for monitoring the implementation of Local Plan policies together with supporting Neighbourhood Planning groups develop their Neighbourhood Development Plans.

The Strategic Planning Policy Officer will:

provide planning policy advice to interested parties

lead in the monitoring and analysis of data to inform the annual monitoring report

support senior officers in the progress of the Joint Local Plan Part 2 to adoption

work collaboratively across the two councils in supporting the development of strategies including infrastructure.

work closely with councillors, neighbouring local authorities, Suffolk County Council, and other infrastructure providers.

Engagement with the community and supporting the preparation of neighbourhood plans are key aspects of the role as well as supporting the delivery of the councils’ corporate objectives.

About you

You will be educated to degree level in an appropriate discipline and membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute is desirable. Knowledge of Local Government practice and procedures will also be required.

We expect applicants to have an appropriate knowledge and experience of the spatial planning policy system with the ability to be able to analyse, interpret and present evidence and information. 

Good IT skills are necessary and preferably GIS experience, especially as we continue to pro-actively develop digital solutions for information and data. 

The ability to communicate effectively and develop strong working relationships is essential together with project management and organisational skills.

About us

Working together across our councils and with our partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, we provide excellent services to our 190,000 residents across Babergh and Mid Suffolk. 

We are proud of the role we play in creating the environment, economy, and communities for our districts. We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work. With picturesque market towns, 60 conservation areas and with two National Landscapes (previously known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)) within our districts, it is little wonder that we are consistently within the top 50 places to live in the UK.

Benefits of working for us

Great opportunities for learning and development.

Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 26 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays).

Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.

Wellbeing Support Programme.

Employee Assist Programme.

Health Care Options.

Our ways of working

Work is what we do, not where we go! 

We are committed to working in a more hybrid way, with a mix of office, home, and remote-based working (business needs permitting). This has worked well for us and is something we will be continuing with. 

We are committed to supporting equality and diversity, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils provide opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible service for our residents.

Closing date: midday, 23 July 2024.

Interviews will be held in person and are expected between 01 and 07 August 2024. 

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this Strategic Planning Policy Officer role, please click apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application