Senior Researcher

About the role
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 role
This is a chance to take on a unique role as a Senior Researcher for the City Hall Conservative Members of the London Assembly:
The role specialises in research and examination of the most pressing issues facing Londoners.
You will provide research, policy briefings, advice and support to Assembly
Members, draft reports on issues of importance to Londoners, and will play an important role supporting Members in holding the Mayor to account.
Excellent organisational, research, analytical and problem-solving skills are essential for this role, and a background in any related policy areas would be an advantage.
Collaborative and diplomatic, you will bring to the role a talent for communicating and influencing both in person and in writing.
What your day will look like
·Providing high quality research, policy, communications, advice, and support to the Assembly Member(s) across the range of their GLA functions, and to their Research and Support Officer, co-ordinating with a wide range of internal and external people and organisations and producing policy or constituency issue reports to publication standard.·Acting as the key point of contact for GLA officers in respect of London Assembly scrutiny activity related to the Group Members’ roles and interests, ensuring an effective and efficient two-way transmission of views and suggestions, in order to maximise the Members’ positions and impact in the work of the Assembly; and to contribute effectively and proactively to the Members’ functions in respect of Mayor’s Question Time, Functional Body Question Time and other Assembly meetings.·Developing and implementing comprehensive, proactive, and effective communications strategies for assigned Assembly Members, working in close coordination with the Head of Office, Senior Press Officer and relevant Research & Support Officer at all times; and to effectively monitor relevant media activity, and to provide effective and timely advice to relevant Assembly Members, including early warning of potential issues, items of local media interest and support in relation to online and social media.
Skills, knowledge and experience
To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:
·Demonstrable research skills, to enable quick and effective grasp of information from a range of sources on a wide range of policy topics, and proven experience of policy briefing in a political/ public sector organisation.·Demonstrable verbal and written communication skills, including experience of writing a range of different styles of document for different audiences, often within very short timescales; experience of producing information for media work and/or briefings for media interviews or policy work.·Experience of working directly with influential, high-profile people in a pressured environment and in dealing with confidential/sensitive issues and documents; the ability to work in a politically complex organisation and apply political awareness.How to apply
If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:
-Personal statement with a maximum of 1,500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria and person specification in the advert.
Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role. Please upload a personal statement to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.
Please ensure your CV and personal statement documents are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g. “CV – applicant name -012345)
Please note, if you do not provide both a CV and a personal statement, you will not be considered for the role so please ensure the above has been submitted before the deadline.
If you wish to speak to someone about the role, Lewis Preston, the hiring manager would be happy to speak to you about the role:#####
Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.
If shortlisted you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment. The interview/assessment date is to be confirmed.
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.
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
Principal accountabilities
To provide high quality research, policy, communications, advice, and support to the Assembly Member(s) across the range of their GLA functions, and to their Research and Support Officer, co-ordinating with a wide range of internal and external people and organisations and producing policy or constituency issue reports to publication standardTo act as the key point of contact for GLA officers in respect of London Assembly scrutiny activity related to the Group Members’ roles and interests, ensuring an effective and efficient two-way transmission of views and suggestions, in order to maximise the Members’ positions and impact in the work of the Assembly; and to contribute effectively and proactively to the Members’ functions in respect of Mayor’s Question Time, Functional Body Question Time and other Assembly meetings.To develop and implement comprehensive, proactive, and effective communications strategies for assigned Assembly Members, working in close coordination with the Senior Press Officer and relevant Research & Support Officer at all times; and to effectively monitor relevant media activity, and to provide effective and timely advice to relevant Assembly Members, including early warning of potential issues, items of local media interest and support in relation to online and social media.To act and manage resources allocated to the job in accordance with the Authority’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards; to 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; to realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this job, participating in multi-discipline cross departmental and organisational groups and task teams.
Person Specification
Technical requirements/experience/qualifications
Demonstrable research skills, to enable quick and effective grasp of information from a range of sources on a wide range of policy topics, and proven experience of policy briefing in a political/ public sector organisation.
Demonstrable verbal and written communication skills, including experience of writing a range of different styles of document for different audiences, often within very short timescales; experience of producing information for media work and/or briefings for media interviews or policy work.
Experience of working directly with influential, high-profile people in a pressured environment and in dealing with confidential/sensitive issues and documents; the ability to work in a politically complex organisation and apply political awareness.
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
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
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
Challenges the views of others in an open and constructive way
Presents a credible and positive image both internally and externally
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
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 acts
Fosters an environment where others feel respected
Identifies opportunities for joint working to minimise duplication and deliver shared goals
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
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
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
The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.Need a document on this page in an accessible format?If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader)and needa version of a PDF or other document on this page in a more accessible format, please get in touch via ouronline form and tell us which format you need.It will also help usif you tell us which assistive technology you use. We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days.
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