Policy Officer - Fire Team

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 delivering major events; designing and leading public affairs and marketing campaigns; providing data, evidence and analysis; leading cross-organisational programmes; and making sure we plan for, and can respond, to emerging events and emergencies in our city.

About the team 

This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative team that is responsible for supporting the Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience in their oversight of London Fire Brigade (LFB); and for coordinating and contributing to a wide array of policies relating to Londoners’ safety.

You will have the opportunity to develop relationships across the GLA and LFB. You will also gain insight into the operations of one of the world’s busiest fire services; and explore how these operations intersect with other parts of the GLA.

LFB, and the fire sector as a whole, is undergoing significant and wide-ranging transformation – meaning this opportunity comes at a pivotal moment. LFB is in the process of responding to the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and inspections from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services. As it makes improvements to its culture, it is critical that LFB is properly supported in navigating this change. More widely, LFB is working to meet new and ongoing challenges posed by climate change, new technologies, and London's complex built environment.

About the role

This role is part of an exciting team expansion. It represents an opportunity to make a genuine contribution to the development of the team and its work programme. The successful candidate will have excellent policy development, research and evaluation skills. Previous experience working in fire policy is not necessary, as the role does not require specialist knowledge of this area.

You will support a wide-ranging portfolio of work relating to the oversight and assurance of LFB and wider fire policy. This includes supporting the statutory Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience in their decision-making and oversight role, and in policy and strategy development.

Working alongside the team’s Strategy and Performance Advisers, its 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, will relate to various policy areas related to London’s safety. These may include, 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; and assisting with the development, implementation, review and evaluation of policy, strategies and decisions. 
• Managing smaller projects and helping coordinate the delivery of larger projects with other agencies, where required, to ensure that deadlines are met, and key issues of concern to the Mayor are identified and addressed.
• Providing analysis on policy information, research and legislation.
• Contributing to written reports and briefings for the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, and senior GLA officers and managers; and to consultation responses and letters for government and 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 for Fire and Resilience at meetings with key stakeholders, including senior GLA officers, LFB, the government and parliamentarians.
• Representing the Fire team at external events and in wider GLA activities.

Skills, knowledge and experience 

• An ability to analyse and interpret complex issues in relation to their political, social, environmental and economic impacts.
• An 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.

Assessment process 

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: W/C 10 June 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.

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. 

Person Specification

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

• 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