The role

Are you passionate about making a real difference in your community? Do you want hands-on experience in creating a fair and thriving local economy? Southwark Council’s Planning and Growth department is seeking a Local Economy Intern for an 8-week internship within our Local Economy Team.

The Role:

As a Local Economy Intern, you’ll support key initiatives and gain invaluable experience in economic development; your day could include:

• Supporting aspiring entrepreneurs: Help residents take the first step in starting their businesses by providing referrals, advice, and guidance.
• Researching the needs of local businesses: Focus on sustainability and climate change to ensure our entrepreneurs are prepared for the future.
• Engaging with the small business community: Build meaningful relationships with Southwark’s diverse business owners.
• Contributing to decision-making processes: Learn how local government works and assist in preparing reports and briefings for local politicians.

What You’ll Gain:

• Real-world experience in local government and economic development.
• The opportunity to make a positive impact on the local community.
• Insight into sustainability and entrepreneurship.
• Networking opportunities with Southwark’s business leaders and policymakers.
• Build connections with Southwark’s dynamic small business community.
• Play a role in shaping Southwark’s 2030 vision of a strong and fair economy.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Enthusiastic about supporting local businesses and communities.
• Curious about sustainability and climate-conscious entrepreneurship.
• A great communicator and eager to connect with people.
• Interested in learning how local government operates.
• Applicants must be a Southwark resident and be aged 16 – 24.
• This role offers flexible home working blended with travel into our London Bridge office 3 days a week.

Additional salary details

About Southwark

There’s much to be proud of at Southwark, and every reason to be ambitious about the future. Our recently agreed 2030 Strategy unites partners around a vision that together, we will build a fair, green, and safe Southwark, where everyone can live a good life as part of a strong community. We believe the key to a good life starts with strong foundations: quality homes, excellent education, safety, rewarding jobs, good health, and a thriving environment.

To achieve this, we focus on six core goals: providing decent homes for all, giving every child a good start in life, creating a safer Southwark, building a strong a fair economy, supporting residents to stay well, and ensuring a healthy environment. These goals are driven by three guiding principles: empowering people, investing in prevention, and tackling inequality at every level.

To deliver our shared vision, we will need to unleash the collective talents of residents, communities, organisations, and businesses for the good of everyone who calls Southwark home. We’re committed to long-term partnerships and innovation, ensuring that the voice of our resident’s shapes everything we do.

Benefits and more information

Working for Southwark Council – Southwark

Salary: £28,881

Recruitment timetable

Application Closing Date: 11.59pm on 9th of May 2025

Interview Date: TBC

Anticipated work period: 7th of July to the 1st of September 2025

Application Process

If you are interested in applying for this role, please submit a CV and complete the application forms detailing your suitability for the role. The Job Description and Person Specification can also be found at the bottom of this page under attachments.

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative.

We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care.
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Attachments

• Job Description & Person Specification