Why Southwark?
Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market, and we are home to approximately 250+ faith groups, along with many social enterprises.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities.
Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.
The role
As Consultation & Involvement Officer – Faith Lead, you’ll lead on building meaningful relationships with faith groups, ensuring their voices are reflected in how services are shaped and delivered. From supporting grassroots social action to advising council departments on inclusive consultation practices, this role is all about putting community connection at the heart of public service.
You’ll be responsible for delivering key events such as the borough’s annual Faith Leaders Conference, as well as a range of engagement activities designed to promote collaboration, understanding, and civic participation. The role also involves supporting wider consultation projects across the council, helping to ensure engagement is inclusive, representative, and genuinely impactful.
This is a dynamic and rewarding opportunity to play a central role in strengthening Southwark Council’s engagement with faith communities across the borough. You’ll work closely with colleagues, elected members, and local partners to help embed community voice in strategic decision-making.
Key responsibilities:
- Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with Southwark’s diverse faith communities
- Lead the planning and delivery of the annual Faith Leaders Conference and other high-profile engagement events
- Support inclusive community consultation by advising council departments on best practice and faith-sensitive approaches
- Champion participation from underrepresented faith groups in civic life and local decision-making
- Collaborate with councillors, colleagues, and community partners to strengthen social cohesion and interfaith dialogue
- Evaluate engagement activity and ensure community insights inform council services and strategic priorities
How will you make an impact as a Consultation & Involvement Officer?
- Experience working directly with faith groups, religious leaders, or interfaith networks
- Strong understanding of good practice in community engagement and consultation
- Confident event planning and facilitation skills, including delivering multi-stakeholder events
- Knowledge of Southwark’s faith landscape and the role of faith in civic life
- A commitment to inclusion, equality, and eliminating discrimination
- Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills
- The ability to advise colleagues on inclusive engagement approaches
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a flair for clear reporting and public speaking
This is an exciting opportunity to help build a more inclusive, connected, and participatory borough - shaped by the people who live and work in it. If you're committed to creating a more connected and empowered Southwark, we'd love to hear from you.
Additional information
This role is fixed term for 12 months. Any internal applicants are encouraged to seek agreement from their substantive line manager if considering this is as a secondment opportunity.
This role is based at Tooley Street and out in the community, with flexibility to work from home one day per week. Some evening and weekend work is required to attend community events and meetings.
Please note this role requires a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring (DBS) Service check at Basic level.
Employee benefits:
You’ll join a motivated, driven, and supportive team that values each of its members and strives for excellence. You’ll also be part of a successful, high-achieving development team making a real difference to the lives of residents across the borough. In return for all your hard work, skills and experience, you will receive:
- A competitive base salary (pro rata for part time staff)
- Strong supportive senior management team
- Regular one to one supervision
- Professional development & training opportunities
- Clear career development pathways
- Agile and flexible working arrangements
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Season ticket and cycle loans
- Annual Leave starting at 29 days per year, increasing to 37 (with length of service) (pro rata for part time staff)
- Wellbeing programme
- HSF Health plan and eye care scheme
- EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support
- Social clubs and staff groups
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.
Recruitment timetable
Closing date: Friday 30th May 2025 at 23:59
Interview date: Wednesday 11th June 2025
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 programme. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
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