Southwark (Hybrid)
Permanent, Full time
£51,029 per annum
Strategy and Communications
Strategy and Communications sits at the centre of the organisation, bringing together several teams with organisation-wide remits and mutual collaboration opportunities. The work of the directorate’s teams includes delivery of major events, designing and leading public affairs or marketing campaigns, providing data, evidence and analysis, leading cross-organisational programmes, to making sure we plan for and can respond to emerging events or emergencies in our city.
About the team
This is an exciting opportunity to join a small, collaborative and committed team responsible for supporting the statutory Deputy Mayor with responsibility for fire in their oversight of London Fire Brigade (LFB); and coordinating and contributing to policies that relate to the safety of Londoners.
You will have the opportunity to develop relationships across the Greater London Authority (GLA) and LFB; and will gain an insight into the operations of one of the busiest fire and rescue services in the world. You will also see how these operations intersect with other emergency services, and the work of different teams within the GLA.
LFB (as well as the fire and rescue sector) is undergoing significant and wide-ranging transformation as it responds to the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and inspections from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS); and makes improvements to its culture. More widely, LFB is working to meet the challenges posed by climate change, new technologies, and London's complex built environment.
About the role
You will support a range of work relating to the oversight and assurance of LFB and wider fire policy, including support to the Deputy Mayor in their decision making and oversight role.
You will also help to develop policies and strategies, and deliver a range of projects and programmes, in relation to the Deputy Mayor’s portfolio and the strategic aims of the fire team.
Working alongside the team’s Strategy and Performance Advisers, Policy and Stakeholder Adviser, and colleagues from across the GLA and LFB, you will contribute to work that supports oversight of LFB and policy development. This includes undertaking research; drafting briefings and reports; and managing projects such as events and workshops.
Your work, while focused on fire and rescue, will involve a variety of policy areas related to London’s safety – for example, how climate change is increasing the risk of wildfires or how to store and charge e-bikes safely to support sustainable travel.
What your day will look like
- Working with senior members of the fire team and other GLA teams, helping with the development, implementation, review and evaluation of policy, strategies, and decisions.
- Managing smaller projects and helping to coordinate the delivery of larger projects with other agencies where needed, to ensure deadlines are met, and key issues of concern to the Mayor are identified and addressed.
- Providing analysis on policy information, research and legislation.
- Writing and contributing to written reports, decision papers and briefings for the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and senior GLA officers and managers, as well as consultation responses and letters for government or other relevant stakeholders.
- Working with officers and managers across the GLA, LFB and other relevant agencies to enable efficient management of information, and to participate in cross-organisational working.
- Supporting the Deputy Mayor at meetings with key stakeholders, including senior GLA officers, LFB, government and parliamentarians.
- Representing the fire team at external events and wider GLA activities.
Skills, knowledge and experience
To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex issues in relation to their political, social, environmental and economic impacts.
- Understanding of the requirements of working in a sensitive political environment.
- Knowledge of public policy relating to local government or emergency services is desirable but not essential.
Behavioural Competencies
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
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
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 takes action
- Fosters an environment where others feel respected
- Identifies opportunities for joint working to minimise duplication and deliver shared goals
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
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
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 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).
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 behavioural competencies outlined above in the advert.
We encourage you to use the STAR method when describing your skills and experience, you can find information about the STAR method here: The Star Method. Some more general advice can be found here: https://www.theguardian.com/careers/careers-blog/public-to-private-sector-perfection-job-applications
Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ 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)
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.
If you have questions about the role
If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Soeli Dayus would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at soeli.dayus@london.gov.uk.
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.
Assessment process
Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel. There will be a two-stage assessment process.
If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to complete a written assessment w/c 2 June 2025.
Successful candidates will then be invited to interview w/c 16 June 2025.
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.
More Support
If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam@london.gov.uk.