Senior Policy Adviser

Job title: Senior Policy Adviser (Planning and Regeneration Committee)

Requisition ID: 047221

Salary: £56,797 per annum

Grade: 9

Location: City Hall

Contract type: Full time

Closing Date: 28/11/24 at 23:59

Team: Scrutiny and Investigation

Directorate: London Assembly and secretariat

London Assembly and secretariat

The London Assembly scrutinises the Mayor's activities by questioning the Mayor about their decisions. The Assembly also investigates issues of importance to London.

There are 25 Assembly Members, elected every four years at the same time as the Mayor. The Secretariat works for the Assembly to support its activities.

The Communications Team support service to promote the work of the Assembly through press office, social media, publicity and events.

About the team

The Scrutiny and Investigation team is a circa.30-person team of researchers working across 10 committees and with a small internal Research Unit. We are politically impartial and provide confidential advice, briefing, and support to all Chairs and Members of the London Assembly on scrutiny matters.

About the role

The London Plan is the strategic document that sets the vision and direction of Londons public space. With a new London Plan process beginning, the Committee is looking for a planning policy expert to ensure that the Assembly pushes the Mayor to deliver the best possible Plan for all Londoners.
In this role you will be responsible for delivering the scrutiny work programme of the Planning and Regeneration Committee. You will support the Committee to hold the Mayor to account and to investigate planning and regeneration related topics that matter to Londoners. This will include:

• Providing expert advice to the Committee Chair and Members of the Assembly on planning and regeneration issues in London.
• Designing and delivering investigations, which will include research, drafting high quality briefings, formal committee meetings plus informal meetings, site visits and other ad hoc activities.
• Developing policy recommendations and working with the political parties on the Committee to build consensus, and publish impactful reports and correspondence.

You will be plugged into some of the most pressing policy issues facing London today, working across political parties to bring about positive change. You will also work closely with communities and the planning sector to research and shape your investigations, and this role comes with great opportunities for stakeholder engagement and network building.

This job is politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

This role is based at City Hall, in theRoyal Docks (Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE)

What your day will look like

• Weekly liaison with the Committee Chair, and regular interaction with the group leads and members of the Assembly
• Leading the research element, including drafting internal briefings and published reports / correspondence.
• Working within the Committee project team with procedural and comms experts to deliver the Committees goals.
• Taking a senior/management role in the wider scrutiny team in the secretariat.
• Leading on engaging with external stakeholders / planning experts to ensure high quality meeting guests and informed research.
• Line or task-managing one or two researchers to contribute to the research and scrutiny work of the committee.

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Experience of one or more of the Committees policy areas.
• Knowledge and understanding of political, policy and governance issues relating to London and the UK more widely.
• Experience delivering complex projects to tight deadlines.
• Experience of operating effectively in a political environment.
• Degree or equivalent experience.

Desirable

• Experience establishing and successfully carrying out a programme of multiple scrutiny investigations / projects.

How to apply

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 and competencies outlined in the advert.

Assessment process

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel. If shortlisted, youll be invited to an interview/assessment.

The interview/assessment date is: week/commencing 16 December 2024

Equality, diversity and inclusion

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.

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

Benefits

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.

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, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme

Additional Information

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.

Job description can be found below:

Job purpose

To design and deliver a programme of work for the London Assembly, its committees and Members, providing substantive policy guidance and managing researchers (where necessary), to maximise the impact and effectiveness of the London Assembly in its roles of holding the Mayor of London to account and investigating issues of concern to Londoners.

Principal accountabilities

• To work closely with the [Head of Policy Scrutiny or Head of Financial Scrutiny] to set and deliver priority areas of work for the Committee and to advise Assembly Members on the scrutiny and policy opportunities arising for the Assembly for their policy areas.
• To lead Scrutiny staff on work for the assigned committee and the London Assembly as a whole, to deliver high quality research, analysis, briefings, advice and outputs to and for the Assembly and the committee.
• To be accountable for the impact, timeliness and effectiveness of the policy and scrutiny work for the committee, in line with scrutiny frameworks and protocols.
• To form effective working relationships with Assembly Members, staff across the Authority and external stakeholders in order to maximise the impact and effectiveness of the London Assemblys scrutiny and investigations work and supporting Committee investigations to be informed by a diverse range of voices from across London.
• Actively identify new areas of opportunity and innovation for the London Assembly, both in relation to holding the Mayor of London to account and in relation to broader policy issues for London within the post-holders research area.
• [If required] Manage staff and resources allocated to the job in accordance with the Authoritys policies and Code of Ethics and Standards.
• Realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this job, and participating in multi-disciplinary, cross-department and cross-organisational groups and project teams.
• To realise the benefits of Londons diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities, and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of Londons communities.

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