Principal Policy and Programmes Officer

About the role
Good Growth

Good Growth is responsible for delivering and implementing the Mayor’s environment, transport and economic strategies and for the effective implementation of the London Plan. The Directorate is also responsible for regeneration (where the programme is not housing led), enterprise, growth, capital projects and design work.

We are seeking a talented individual to help lead a range of projects and policies within the Air Quality Team.

Excellent organisational, research, and problem-solving skills will be crucial to your success. You’ll need a demonstrable flair for communicating and influencing and a proven track record in the delivery of complex projects and programmes.

The role requires a flexible, adaptable and collaborative approach, and will involve working on many initiatives simultaneously, in a fast paced and political environment.

The ability to interpret, analyse and present data and technical information would be an advantage, and experience of air quality, sustainable transport or related environmental field is required. Alternatively/in addition, it would be very advantageous if the applicant had some experience or understanding of Infrastructure, Planning policy, and/or other non-road pollution sources.

The Air Quality team is based within the GLA Connectivity, Air Quality, Transport and Infrastructure team (CAQTI). This is a rare opportunity to work with colleagues who are committed to making a difference to the lives of Londoners and future generations.

Principal accountabilities

Be responsible for the management of a portfolio of environment work and lead on certain, agreed, Mayoral projects and programmes.
Manage projects and programmes that are carried out either internally and externally, either for the Authority or by the Authority on behalf of other organisations, including procuring and managing consultants and contractors.
Prepare responses to questions and correspondence to the Mayor and from Assembly members, Government departments and other organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Establish and maintain communications on technical and policy matters with international organisations, Government departments, the London Boroughs, and other organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Line manage 2-3 Senior Policy Officers.
Realise the benefits of London’s diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities.
Person specification

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

Demonstrated background and experience in any of the following sectors: air quality, environmental management, sustainable transport or planning policy.
A track record of managing multiple projects and project teams successfully and delivering results on target and within budget.
Ability to analyse and interpret environmental issues in relation to urban areas their causes, effects and possible solutions.
Evidence of success in undertaking project-based work and preparing clear and concise reports, presentations and briefings on complex and sensitive issues for a range of different audiences.
Behavioural competencies

Problem Solving is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.

Level 3 Indicators of Effective Performance:

Clarifies ambiguous problems, questioning assumptions to reach a fuller understanding.
Actively challenges the status quo to find new ways of doing things, looking for good practice.
Seeks and incorporates diverse perspectives to help produce workable strategies to address complex issues.
Initiates consultation on opportunities to improve work processes.
Supports the organisation to implement innovative suggestions.
Research and Analysis is gathering intelligence (information, opinion and data) from varied sources, making sense of it, testing its validity and drawing conclusions that can lead to practical benefits.

Level 3 Indicators of Effective Performance:

Expands networks to gain new information sources for research and policy development
Identifies and implements methods to ensure intelligence is of a high quality.
Encourages others to analyse data from different angles, using multiple perspectives to identify connections and new insights.
Tailors research investment in line with likely impact for Londoners and policy priorities.
Retains a bigger picture view, ensuring research recommendations are appropriate and practical for the GLA and its stakeholders.
Building and Managing Relationships is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Level 3 Indicators of Effective Performance

Actively engages partners and encourages others to build relationships that support GLA objectives.
Understands and recognises the contributions that staff at all levels make to delivering priorities.
Proactively manages partner relationships, preventing or resolving any conflict.
Adapts style to work effectively with partners, building consensus, trust and respect.
Delivers objectives by bringing together diverse stakeholders to work effectively in partnership.
The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA competency framework.

This role is based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL).

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

Application Process & Additional Information

Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role.

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

Up to date CV.
Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.
Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.

Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g. “CV – applicant name – 012345).

Applications submitted without a Personal Statement will not be considered.

London’s diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London’s diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part-time work as this role is open to job share.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, an interest-free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

On this recruitment campaign, as part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination.

Reasonable adjustment will be made to working arrangements to accommodate a person with a disability who otherwise would be prevented from undertaking the work.

Application closing date: 13 December, 2024 at 23:59.

If you have a question about the role or would like to discuss it informally, please feel free to contact Sarah Morris, Air Quality Manager at to arrange a call.

We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.

Closing date: 13 December 2024 at 23:59.

Interview date: TBC W/C 13 January 2025.

---