Principal Policy Officer Economic Strategy

Key information

Salary: £63,112 per annum

Grade: 10

Contract type: Fixed Term, Secondment

Reference: 047253

Contract details: Fixed Term Contract / Secondment Opportunity to March 2026

Interview date: W/c 9 December 2024 (may be subject to change)

Application closing date: Sun, 24/11/2024 - 23:59

About the role

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.

The postholder will lead development and delivery of a suite of economic strategy workstreams as part of the Economic Strategy and Innovation team. They will play a key role in the team’s work developing, overseeing and engaging Londoners and businesses on the Mayor of London and London Councils jointly led London Growth Plan, and supporting related work programmes. They will also be responsible for advising the Mayor’s Office and senior GLA officials on economic development policy and strategic issues for inclusive economic growth in London.

The London Growth Plan will set out the vision for London’s future economy. It will provide a blueprint for how London can build a fairer, more equal, greener, safer, modern economy that’s fit for the 21st century. It is being developed in partnership with London Councils, and in close collaboration with all parts of the economic system - sub regional partnerships and boroughs, business and business groups, trade unions, careers, skills and employment service providers, civil society and trade unions, think tanks and Londoners themselves. It will also align with central government's growth mission, and as such will aim at supporting the National Industrial Strategy.

Principal accountabilities

• Be responsible for the management of a portfolio of economic strategy work and lead on certain, agreed, Mayoral projects and programmes.
• Lead on the development of key statutory and non statutory strategies and policies, including research, analysis, option appraisals and consultation.
• 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.
• Establish and maintain systems and process for ensuring the implementation of strategies and the effective delivery of key projects.
• Establish and maintain communications on technical and policy matters with policy research organisations, Government departments, the London Boroughs, and other organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
• Build new and maintain existing partnerships to assist in delivery of initiatives to implement the Mayor’s policies and programmes, leading for the GLA on relationship management with key stakeholder groups in relation to the economic strategy portfolio.
• Take responsibility for strategic horizon scanning in relation to the economic strategy portfolio and disseminating information and advice within the GLA family and with partner organisations and functional bodies.
• Provide 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 economic strategy and business policy matters, making recommendations on policy and strategy options.
• 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.
• Gather and analyse effectively relevant data and evidence to ensure that strategy, policy, projects and programmes are developed with a solid evidence base and are capable of evaluation.
• Present the results of the work on the Mayor’s policies, objectives and concerns at conferences, seminars and meetings to external bodies and organisations.
• To take a proactive role in corporate planning and contributing to the overall performance management frameworks of the GLA as a whole and the Directorate.
• Manage staff and resources allocated to the job in accordance with the Authority’s policies and code of Ethics and Standards.
• 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.
• 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 task teams.

Person specification

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

• Good understanding of the UK’s and London’s local economic policy context and the key economic challenges currently facing the capital.
• Demonstrable ability to develop expertise in economic development policy and strategy in a city government context.
• Demonstrable ability to gather intelligence and analyse data from varied sources and draw conclusions to support policy development.

Behavioural competencies

Strategic Thinking

…is using an understanding of the bigger picture to uncover potential challenges and opportunities for the long term and turning these into a compelling vision for action.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance:

• Translates GLA vision and strategy into practical and tangible plans for own team or delivery partners.
• Consistently takes account of the wider implications of team’s actions for the GLA.
• Encourages self and others to think about organisation’s long term potential.
• Informs strategy development by identifying gaps in current delivery or evidence.
• Takes account of a wide range of public and partner needs to inform team’s work.

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 3 indicators of effective performance:

• Encourages and supports teams in engaging in transparent and inclusive communication.
• Influences others and gains buy-in using compelling, well thought through arguments.
• Negotiates effectively to deliver GLA priorities.
• Synthesises the complex viewpoints of others, recognises where compromise is necessary and brokers agreement.
• Advocates positively for the GLA both within and outside the organisation.

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.

Problem solving

…is analyzing 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.

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 3 indicators of effective performance:

• Monitors allocation of resources, anticipating changing requirements that may impact work delivery.
• Ensures evaluation processes are in place to measure project benefits.
• Gains buy-in and commitment to project delivery from diverse stakeholders.
• Implements quality measures to ensure directorate output is of a high standard.
• Translates political vision into action plans and deliverables.

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, 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: 24 November 2024 at 23:59

If you have a question about the role or would like to discuss it informally, please feel free to contact Nathan Davies at nathan.davies@london.gov.uk 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.

Secondment Opportunity

If you are a GLA employee applying for an internal fixed term position, as an internal secondment opportunity, you must ensure you satisfy the following secondment policy criteria listed below before applying:

• On a permanent contract or a fixed term contract where the time left on the contract at the point at which you apply for secondment is longer than the secondment period;
• successfully completed your probation period and are performing to the required standard for your current role; and
• at least 18 months’ service with the GLA.

If you do meet the criteria listed above, you will need to complete the Approval for secondment application form and gain line manager approval, before emailing the fully completed form to the Resourcing Assistant who is managing the vacancy. This form must be received by the closing date of the vacancy. Failure to provide this form will mean your application cannot be progressed.

If you are unable to satisfy all of the criteria, unfortunately you are not eligible to apply for this vacancy as an internal secondment. For further information, please see Secondment Policy and Procedure.

IMPORTANT: If you are a current GLA employee on fixed term contract, which is due to end BEFORE the end date of this vacancy, you DO NOT NEED to complete the Approval for secondment application form as it is not a secondment.

If you are successful in securing this secondment opportunity, you will need to be released from your existing role, so please ensure that you make your line manager aware of your application.

More support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam@london.gov.uk.