Senior Policy and Programme Officer

About the team

This is an important time to join the Climate Change team, when the need to both mitigate and adapt to climate change has never been greater. The Mayor has set a target for London to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and the Climate Change team is working across a range of policies and programmes to help deliver that target in a fair and just way.

The Climate Change team empowers partners and Londoners with evidence and insight to take ambitious and decisive climate action, which supports those who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. It works to embed climate action across the GLA Group and more broadly across London, with policies like the London Plan.

About the role

We are looking for a motivated senior policy officer to support the Climate Change team across its range of work programmes.

The post holder will be responsible for updating London’s annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory and will support evidence-based decision making with quantitative analysis.

They will support the team’s work on embedding climate considerations in decision making within the GLA Group. They will lead and co-ordinate briefings and correspondence relating to climate and energy policy, and proactively support the team to collaborate with different partners across London, including London Boroughs.

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

Principal accountabilities

1. Support the management of a portfolio of environment work and on certain, agreed, Mayoral projects and programmes.
2. Assist in the management of projects 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.
3. Assist in the establishment and maintenance of communications on technical and policy matters with international organisations, Government departments, the London Boroughs, and other organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
4. Help build new and maintain existing partnerships to assist in delivery of initiatives to implement the Mayor’s policies and programmes including negotiating funding.
5. Establish and maintain good working relationships within and outside the Authority and with the Functional Bodies in order to ensure that opportunities for integration and inter-disciplinary working are realised.
6. Contribute to the provision of advice, written and oral, to the Mayor and his staff, senior managers, Members of the Assembly, and Functional Bodies, GLA staff, government departments, London-based and national organisations on environmental matters.
7. 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.
8. Carry out all roles allocated to the job in accordance with the Authority’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards.
9. 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.
10. 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.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

1. Experience in the field of environment and climate policy.
2. Ability to analyse and interpret urban environment issues quantitatively and qualitatively, in relation to their causes, effects and possible solutions.
3. Previous experience of emissions inventories and/or data management and analysis

Behavioural competencies

Problem Solving

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

Level 2 Indicators of Effective Performance

• Processes and distils a variety of information to understand a problem fully
• Proposes options for solutions to presented problems
• Builds on the ideas of others to encourage creative problem solving
• Thinks laterally about own work, considering different ways to approach problems
• Seeks the opinions and experiences of others to understand different approaches to problem solving

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 2 Indicators of Effective Performance

• Proactively seeks new information sources to progress research agendas and address gaps in knowledge
• Grasps limitations of or assumptions behind data sources, disregarding those that lack quality
• Analyses and integrates qualitative and quantitative data to find new insights
• Translates research outcomes into concise, meaningful reports
• Identifies relevant and practical research questions for the future

Planning and Organising

… is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

Level 2 Indicators of Effective Performance

• Prioritises work in line with key team or project deliverables
• Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines and milestones
• Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholders in planning work
• Pays close attention to detail, ensuring team’s work is delivered to a high standard
• Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverables can be met

Communicating and Influencing

… is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate, and engage with us.

Level 2 Indicators of Effective Performance

• Presents a credible and positive image both internally and externally
• Challenges the views of others in an open and constructive way
• Communicates openly and inclusively with internal and external stakeholders
• Clearly articulates the key points of an argument, both in verbal and written communication
• Persuades others, using evidence based knowledge, modifying approach to deliver message effectively

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 2 Indicators of Effective Performance

• Identifies opportunities for joint working to minimise duplication and deliver shared goals
• Develops new professional relationships
• Understands the needs of others, the constraints they face and the levers to their engagement
• Understands differences, anticipates areas of conflict and takes action
• Fosters an environment where others feel respected

Organisational Awareness

… is understanding and being sensitive to organisational dynamics, culture and politics across and beyond the GLA and shaping our approach accordingly.

Level 2 Indicators of Effective Performance

• Challenges unethical behaviour
• Uses understanding of the GLA’s complex partnership arrangements to deliver effectively
• Recognises how political changes and sensitivities impact on own and team’s work
• Is aware of the changing needs of Londoners, anticipating resulting changes for work agendas
• Follows the GLA’s position in the media and understands how it impacts on work