Senior Policy Officer - Skills and Employment

Communities & Skills

Collaborative, open, inclusive and fair - we work with and through partners to ensure Londoners can shape healthy, empowered and productive lives. Communities and Skills is led by Executive Director, Tunde Olayinka and is comprised of the following units: Civil Society & Sport, Communities & Social Policy, Group Public Health Unit, Skills and Employment, and Health, Children and Young Londoners.

About the team

Londons skills and employment system plays a key role in supporting Londoners to get the skills they need to improve their lives and for Londons economy to thrive. You will be part of the Strategy, Policy and Relationships team embedded within the Skills and Employment unit.

The team includes a range of responsibilities, including strategy planning, policy development and communications, as well as governance and stakeholder engagement. The team leads the design of policy and programmes including for the GLAs largest revenue budget the Adult Skills Fund.

Our adult skills system is the highest performing in the country and, since the Mayor of London took over responsibility for adult skills funding in 2019, over 1 million learners have been supported to participate in his adult education programmes.

Through further devolution of powers, funding and decision making, we want to support even more Londoners to transform their lives. This is a particularly exciting time to work in the team, with skills and employment being central to the Mayors vision for inclusive growth and his London Growth Plan.

About the role

We are looking for two Senior Policy Officers (1x permanent and 1x 12-month FTC) to join the Greater London Authoritys Skills and Employment Units Strategy, Policy and Relationships team. The team manages strategy, policy and governance arrangements within the GLAs skills and employment unit, which runs a range of flagship programmes to deliver high quality adult education in London.

You will join a dedicated team of officers with a range of responsibilities, including strategy planning, policy development, commissioning of research, communications, governance and stakeholder engagement. You will play a vital role in supporting the teams delivery of Londons Adult Skills Fund and other devolved skills programmes, as well as contributing to the development of skills and adult education policy in line with the Mayors London Growth Plan, supporting inclusive growth and the health and wellbeing of Londoners.

We are looking for someone who can effectively work with a range of stakeholders, has experience of policy development, can communicate complex issues, and inspire action. You will be responsible for proactively managing stakeholder relationships, commissioning research, and contributing to policy and programme development and implementation. Your enthusiasm, organisation, and motivation will be invaluable in this exciting and varied role.
This role is based at London Fire Brigades Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL)

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:
Experience in contributing to policy and/ or strategy development within a political context.
A successful track record in using research and analysis to inform policy and strategy development, a good knowledge of skills and employment policy and delivery.
Experience in project management, monitoring and reporting.
A successful track record in working with a range of stakeholders, building and managing relationships; and working in a complex organisational or political environment.

Assessment process

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel. If shortlisted, youll be invited to an interview which will include a short presentation.

The interviews are expected to take place 11-12 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.

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