Senior Technical Project Officer

The Infrastructure Coordination Service (ICS) is hiring three Senior Technical Project Officers across its work areas — helping to realise the Mayor’s priorities for infrastructure and decarbonisation in the capital. 

The ICS is an award-winning team that works to improve how utilities and other infrastructure is planned and delivered in our city. We are interdisciplinary, fast moving, industry-leading and focused on innovation, creating real change by working with partners in the sector.

The ICS is looking for technical expertise with experience in utilities, engineering, streetworks, infrastructure planning/land use, architecture/development and construction to take on a range of projects across the service.

This ICS brings significant benefits to Londoners as well as industry, by improving air quality, supporting ‘healthy streets’, enabling decarbonisation and unlocking affordable housing delivery.

The ideal candidate will have a problem-solving mindset and enjoy applying analytical and creative thinking skills to address blockers, thereby challenging the status quo. 

Role descriptions

Senior Technical Project Officer – Streets (x2)

These roles will work closely with partners across industry to promote the ‘dig-once’ approach to streetworks—where utilities, telecoms, boroughs and others reduce disruption across London by working together and employing innovative construction techniques/technologies.

·Permanent role: We are looking for someone to unpick delivery challenges to the ‘dig once approach’ and develop best practice so that collaboration becomes “business as usual.” You may work on topics including: mains rehabilitation programmes, streetwork and network management issues, heat networks, future proofing, healthy streets improvements, and others. A background in utilities, engineering or streetworks is preferred but not required.

·18-month role – This role will work on a new project aiming to scale the delivery of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) through utilities streetworks, with a view to creating a market framework for the wider sector. The project will launch in September and will involve close partnership working with Thames Water and flood authorities. A background in water, streetworks or engineering is preferred but not required.

Senior Technical Project Officer – Infrastructure Coordination Service

·2-year role: This role will take on a range of projects across the ICS. This could include convening partners to deliver long-term infrastructure plans for water and energy, to reduce flooding, decarbonise London, and ensure the right infrastructure is in place to support affordable housing. Or it might involve bringing together groups of developers to resolve infrastructure challenges across their sites and identify opportunities for collaboration. The preferred candidate will have a technical background in: utilities, engineering, streetworks, infrastructure planning/land use, architecture/development or construction.

Strong problem-solving skills, organisation and attention to detail will be essential, as well as an ability to communicate effectively in a variety of forms with a diverse range of stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated knowledge and practical understanding of infrastructure issues described above—but we will also consider those with a relevant background who can pick up new technical knowledge quickly.

These roles will require initiative – with an appetite to proactively research emerging areas, generating analysis and exploring technical feasibility of solutions. The ideal candidate will enjoy leading workstreams, at times delivered in partnership with external consultancies. Key to these roles will be the ability to synthesize complex viewpoints and gain buy-in through compelling, well-thought arguments.

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds. 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, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements.

In addition to a good salary package, we offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan, childcare voucher scheme and a career average pension scheme.
 

PLEASE NOTE: A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE.

Principal accountabilities

1.     Manage and lead on strategic and technical processes for the ICS.

2.     Ensure timelines and deliverables are met; establish and maintain an effective project management approach.

3.     Help build new and maintain existing partnerships to assist the activities of the ICS; manage sometimes conflicting stakeholder needs, influence participation and persuade parties to change internal practices to secure long-term change in ways of working.

4.     Use digital tools alongside specialised expertise to conduct technical activities.

5.     Interface with technical stakeholders to agree delivery plans and resolve issues.

6.     Gather and effectively analyse relevant data and other evidence to monitor and evaluate processes and activities in the ICS.

7.     Provide advice on infrastructure coordination issues to the Mayor and other senior leaders.

8.     Build and maintain an up-to-date awareness of legislative, technical and policy changes in the infrastructure field.

9.     Establish and maintain good working relationships within and outside the GLA.

10.  Manage project resources allocated to the job in accordance with the GLA’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards.

11.  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.

12.  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 project teams.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

1. Technical requirements/experience/qualifications 

1.     A track record of managing complex projects/processes and project resources successfully, delivering results on target and within budget, and refining processes over time.

2.     Excellent written and oral skills and a track record of successful stakeholder communications, including producing effective visuals.

3.     Ability to use a range of office and data-related software and digital tools, to an advanced level. 

4.      Degree or work experience in an engineering field (preference for civil engineers).

5.     Ideally, experience in the field of infrastructure policy/projects and familiarity with the GLA’s priorities/initiatives in this space.

2. Behavioural competencies 

Problem Solving

… is analysing 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

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 3 Indicators of Effective Performance

·Expands networks to gain new information sources for research and policy development

·Identifies and implements methods to ensure intelligence is of a high quality

·Encourages others to analyse data from different angles, using multiple perspectives to identify connections and new insights

·Tailors research investment in line with likely impact for Londoners and policy priorities

·Retains a bigger picture view, ensuring research recommendations are appropriate and practical for the GLA and its stakeholders 

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

Building and Managing Relationships

… is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people; and 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

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.

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, we 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.

Application closing date: 22nd July 2024 at 23:59