Integration and Cohesion Lead
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
About this job
<p>As an experienced and strategic Integration and Cohesion Lead, you will drive Barking and Dagenham's refugee, asylum and resettlement strategy.</p> <p>This is an influential role that will lead the development of innovative policies, programmes and partnerships that support refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people resident in our borough.</p> <p>Working with local, regional and national networks, you will provide strategic leadership, secure and manage funding, influence policy, and champion community cohesion, safeguarding and inclusion.</p> <p>This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled partnership leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for residents, delivering sustainable services and shaping the future of integration and resettlement support in the borough</p> <p> </p>
Special requirements for this post
<div> <p>We are seeking an experienced and strategic professional with a strong understanding of the national refugee, asylum and resettlement policy landscape, including current and emerging government policies and legislative developments. The successful candidate will be able to assess and communicate the strategic, operational and financial implications of policy changes, ensuring the Council and its partners are well positioned to respond effectively.</p> <p>You will have a proven track record of leading complex multi-agency partnerships and building productive relationships with senior stakeholders across local, regional and national organisations. Strong political awareness is essential, alongside the ability to provide clear and confident advice to elected members and senior leaders on sensitive issues relating to migration, safeguarding and community cohesion.</p> <p>We are looking for someone with experience of managing significant budgets, grant funding and commissioned services, demonstrating strong financial oversight and accountability. A commitment to trauma-informed practice, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to this role.</p> <p>The successful candidate will be flexible and responsive, with the ability and willingness to attend evening and out-of-hours partnership and community meetings when required.</p> </div>
About you
<p>We are seeking an experienced and strategic professional with a strong understanding of the national refugee, asylum and resettlement policy landscape, including current and emerging government policies and legislative developments. The successful candidate will be able to assess and communicate the strategic, operational and financial implications of policy changes, ensuring the Council and its partners are well positioned to respond effectively.</p> <p>You will have a proven track record of leading complex multi-agency partnerships and building productive relationships with senior stakeholders across local, regional and national organisations. Strong political awareness is essential, alongside the ability to provide clear and confident advice to elected members and senior leaders on sensitive issues relating to migration, safeguarding and community cohesion.</p> <p>We are looking for someone with experience of managing significant budgets, grant funding and commissioned services, demonstrating strong financial oversight and accountability. A commitment to trauma-informed practice, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to this role.</p> <p>The successful candidate will be flexible and responsive, with the ability and willingness to attend evening and out-of-hours partnership and community meetings when required.</p> <p>You are an experienced leader with a strong understanding of the refugee, asylum and resettlement sector and a proven track record of delivering complex programmes and partnerships. You will be confident working across organisational boundaries,</p> <p>Influencing at a senior level within the Council and with partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes for residents. With excellent communication, leadership and financial management skills, you will be able to drive service improvement, manage change and navigate a complex policy environment. You are passionate about equality,</p> <p>Safeguarding and community cohesion. Bringing a collaborative and innovative approach, underpinned by a commitment to trauma-informed practice, you will enable the delivery of high-quality, inclusive services that support residents and strengthen communities across the borough.</p> <p> </p>
About us
<p><span><strong>Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here.</strong></span></p> <p><span>Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again. While this small corner of east London might have a reputation for needing development, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find active communities and a place that consistently punches above its weight. The borough is changing – and changing for the better. And It Starts Here.</span></p> <p><span>Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it’s on the cusp of something exciting. With one of the youngest populations in the country, ambitions are high and rightly so. 98% of our schools are rated Good or Outstanding and every year more of our talented teenagers get into Russell Group Universities and hotly sought after apprenticeship schemes.</span></p> <p><span>We have award winning parks, centuries old manor houses full of relics and artifacts you can go and see, and the ruins of one of Anglo-Saxon England's most powerful and wealthiest religious sites. We’re even bringing beavers and white storks to the borough to help rewild the local landscape and boost biodiversity.</span></p> <p><span>Over the past few years, we’ve been working hard to improve how we deliver services and support our community. From tackling inequality to making sure our services are the best they can be, we’re focused on what matters most to local people. </span></p> <p><span>We’re creating the conditions for people to thrive - so everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, feel proud to call this place home, and be part of something bigger. </span></p> <p><span>#ItStartsHere - with our streets, our schools, our neighbourhoods. And with your application to join our determined team who are passionate about doing what’s best for the future of Barking and Dagenham. </span></p> <p><span>As an Investors in People Gold Award employer, we’re serious about supporting our staff. From flexible working, professional training and career development to wellbeing initiatives, we want our people to feel valued and supported in everything they do.</span></p> <p><span>Our values, known as</span></p> <ul> <li>DRIVE, shape how we work: Deliver our best every day – and do what we promise</li> <li>Respond in a prompt, positive way to our community’s needs</li> <li>Inspire others with our attitudes and actions</li> <li>Value people for who they are and what they can do</li> <li>Engage with others to improve our resilience and flexibility We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.</li> </ul> <p><span>We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.</span></p>