Job Description
WE ARE NEWHAM.
Newham is one of the youngest and most dynamic boroughs in London, with a diverse population representing cultures from around the world. We are proud of our rich community, vibrant growth and innovations in work from public participation to just transition and models of service delivery. Driving forward at pace on a journey of improvement and stepping up to significant financial pressures like so many councils, we’re committed to ensuring that every part of Newham thrives – sustainably, equitably and inclusively.
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, who grew up and has live her whole life in Newham, has been the Labour Directly Elected Mayor since 2018. She is focused on delivering her Building a Fairer Newham agenda through the council’s own work and in collaboration with communities and partners within and beyond the borough, and ensuring a culture of good governance, transparency and accountability in all we do. Particular priorities for her are giving all young people in Newham the best support to explore and fulfil their potential, unlocking Newham’s regeneration opportunities in a way that supports Community Wealth Building, helping families to build their own resilience in the face of financial pressures, and supporting the cohesion and integration of our diverse communities and faiths and tackling racism and inequality through all the council’s services and actions.
The Mayor’s Office provides strategic advice and administrative support to the Mayor and her Cabinet. Helping to facilitate effective working between the political and officer leadership, it operates as a lynchpin in the heart of the council, playing a key role in supporting the shaping of strategy and policy, the oversight and assurance of delivery, and the maintenance of strong relationships with residents and partners. Following a restructuring, we are now seeking to recruit three officers to provide the leadership to the Office to help the Mayor and council to deliver on her ambitions and make a tangible difference to the people and communities of this wonderful borough. Strong candidates will demonstrate a sensitivity to Newham’s diverse local context and ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving and intense political environment.
Mayor’s External Affairs and Communications Adviser | SMRA £58,818 - £71,412pa
You will advise and support the Mayor on her externally facing responsibilities, including as a leader of place working with residents, VCSF and partners in the borough, and with London and national government and other funders and influencers. Working closely with Strategy, Communications, Resident Engagement and other functions, you will advise on, give impetus to and ensure co-ordination and impact of actions to realise the Mayor’s ambition for Newham to be a ‘campaigning council’ not just delivering for our residents but making the case for them and what is needed to ‘Build a Fairer Newham’. You will also advise the Mayor and work with colleagues to ensure strategic and responsive communications, with a consistent clear narrative and style that reflect her commitment for ‘people at the heart of everything we do’ and support the reputation of the council. You will be an inspiring and empowering manager for the Mayor’s Assistant and Labour Group Political Assistant, supporting them to provide political support
You will be experienced in planning and delivering at least one of public affairs, communications and resident engagement. Able to both shape and drive coherent strategic plans and craft impactful communications and campaigns, with a clarity on audience and a relentless focus on purpose and impact, and you’ll be able to balance a long-term perspective while being quick to spot emerging issues and have the judgement to advise on and help deliver appropriate swift responses where needed. An excellent drafter and able to make a persuasive case, you will build effective and trusted relations with politicians and officers, and with external partners, quickly to enable you to shape and influence impact beyond your immediate control. You will have a good understanding of local government politics and how to work effectively with politicians, respecting and recognising their and officers’ respective roles. An inspiring and empowering manager, you will lead your own staff to thrive, deliver to high standards and develop in their roles and careers, as well as ensuring a co-ordinated and positive environment in the Mayor’s Office as a whole.
This post is politically restricted.
To apply please submit your CV and supporting statement in no more than x2 A4 sides explaining your suitability and how you meet the criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description and Person Specification.
To view the job descriptions and person specifications please click here
For more information or to have a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Sarah Sturrock, Interim Chief of Staff to the Mayor,
[email protected] .
Closing date for applications Sunday 22nd June 2025 at 23.59.
Additional Information
We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.
The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.
The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn .
