Strategic Lead- Domestic Abuse/ Violence Against Women and Girls- DA/ VAWG

Job Description

Overview

The London Borough of Harrow is seeking a dynamic and experienced Strategic Lead for Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (DA/VAWG) to provide expert leadership and drive high‑impact change across the borough. This pivotal role will lead the development and delivery of robust, evidence‑based VAWG and DA strategies, ensuring that the Council and its partners meet statutory duties while delivering high‑quality services that enhance the safety and wellbeing of women and girls. The postholder will oversee complex programmes of work, manage budgets in excess of £750k, and ensure strong governance, performance management and partnership coordination. Working closely with senior leaders, elected Members, the Metropolitan Police, MOPAC, specialist providers and community organisations, the Strategic Lead will foster productive multi‑agency collaboration and support effective responses to high‑risk and time‑critical incidents. The role also includes responsibility for shaping external communications, raising awareness, and ensuring residents and stakeholders are well‑informed and engaged. This is an exciting opportunity for a committed professional with exceptional analytical, strategic and relationship‑building skills to influence meaningful, long‑term change and champion safer futures for women and girls across Harrow. Please note that this is an externally funded, fixed term role till 31/03/2028.
About You

The successful candidate will have:-

• Strong expert knowledge of VAWG, domestic abuse and wider community safety issues, including risks, legislation and emerging threats.
• Experience working with councillors, senior managers and stakeholders, with confidence operating in a political environment.
• Skilled in research methodologies, with experience leading research projects and developing strategy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to present complex information clearly to varied audiences.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, building effective relationships across partners and the wider system.
• Experience managing committees, partnerships, or multi‑agency work programmes.
• Confident in using Microsoft Office, including Excel and Teams.
• Highly organised, analytical and able to manage competing demands and tight timescales.
• Experience coordinating meetings, events and training, including delivering multi‑agency VAWG/DA training.
• Able to handle sensitive information with professionalism, maintain confidentiality and demonstrate awareness of the sensitivities of VAWG/DA work

Related Documents

For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/ Selection Criteria

About us

Harrow Council is the 12th largest London borough and one of the most culturally diverse local authorities in the UK, making it a great place to live, work and visit with a range of cultures, religions and opinions that come together to produce high achieving schools and a close and friendly community. Located 10 miles from the city centre and just 13 minutes to Euston from Harrow & Wealdstone station there are great transport links via the Metropolitan Line, Watford DC Line and national rail service. It is easily accessible to the M1, M25 and A406.

Other information

Support for candidates visit:Harrow.gov.uk Our behavioural indicators roles below G11 and above G11 Here at Harrow Council, the vision is one of 'Working together to make a difference for Harrow' Please click here to view Harrow Council's benefits

Important Note

To deliver our commitment to equality of opportunity in service provision, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs at the London Borough of Harrow. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender, reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity unless a Genuine Occupational Qualification applies. As such, we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. For further information, please read our equality statement.

As a disability-confident employer, we are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and accessible to everyone. This includes reasonably adjusting the recruitment process for those with disabilities or long-term health conditions. For further information, please contact us at resourcing@harrow.gov.uk

London Borough of Harrow is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Harrow operates stringent, safer recruitment procedures.

Due to the high number of applications received for some posts, we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

Harrow redeployees will be given priority consideration.

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, any your data protection rights, can be found by visiting www.cifas.org.uk/fpn