Jobs at the Rural Design Centre
Graduate Consultant
Location: Initially an office-based position, but with the opportunity for more hybrid working as you gain experience.
Salary: £24,000 per annum.
Benefits: Company pension
Contract type: Full-time, permanent
Start date: 1st July 2025
About us:
We are a mission-driven social enterprise dedicated to creating sustainable, inclusive growth in rural communities. By partnering with local stakeholders, we develop and implement projects that enhance livelihoods, improve infrastructure, and create opportunities for communities to thrive. Our projects span sectors such as net zero, renewable energy, small enterprise development, education, and healthcare.
As a Graduate Consultant, you’ll join a passionate, interdisciplinary team of change-makers working to drive rural development through innovation and collaboration.
Role overview:
We are seeking a proactive, analytically minded Graduate Consultant to join our team and help us deliver impactful, scalable solutions. In this role, you will support project planning and delivery, conduct research, analyse data, and work directly with clients and local communities to address pressing challenges.
This position is ideal for someone passionate about rural development and eager to make a tangible impact early in their career.
Key responsibilities:
Project support: Assist in the design, planning, and implementation of development projects, working alongside senior consultants and local partners.
Research and analysis: Conduct thorough research on rural development issues, including agricultural innovation, education, economic development, and renewable energy. Analyse data to identify trends, measure impact, and optimise project outcomes.
Stakeholder engagement: Collaborate with local communities, NGOs, government agencies, and other partners to ensure that project objectives align with local needs.
Monitoring and evaluation: Contribute to monitoring and evaluation efforts to measure the impact of projects, including data collection, surveys, and reporting.
Communication: Prepare presentations, reports, and case studies that highlight project successes, challenges, and learnings to internal and external stakeholders.
Continuous learning: Stay up to date with the latest trends, methodologies, and best practices in rural development and social enterprise.
About you:
Education: Recent graduate with a degree in Development Studies, Environmental Science, Economics, Business, Social Sciences, Human Geography, or a related field.
Skills: Strong analytical and research skills; proficiency in data analysis and Excel is a plus. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Experience: Internship or volunteer experience in development, consultancy, or a related area is highly valued, but not essential.
Personal qualities: A genuine commitment to social impact and rural development. You are adaptable, eager to learn, and able to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
Travel flexibility: Willingness to travel to rural project sites as needed.
Why join us?
Make an impact: Directly contribute to initiatives that improve livelihoods, create jobs, and promote sustainable growth in rural areas.
Career development: Grow your consulting and project management skills through mentoring, training, and hands-on project work.
Supportive culture: Join a team that values creativity, inclusion, and social responsibility. We offer a dynamic workplace where your ideas and contributions are celebrated.
Application process:
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter explaining why you are passionate about rural development and how your skills align with this role. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so we encourage early applications.
Submission: Send your CV and covering letter to hello@ruraldesigncentre.com