Senior Researcher x2

This is an exciting opportunity to join the London Assembly Labour Group at the GLA supporting 11 Labour Assembly Members and delivering change for Londoners. The London Assembly scrutinises the work of the Mayor across the policy areas of transport, housing, environment, policing, health, the economy, planning and regeneration, fire, and the Mayor’s multi-billion-pound budget.

There are two roles within the policy team in the Labour Group:

1. One role supporting Labour Assembly Members on the Planning portfolio, specifically specialising on the London Plan which is due to be adopted in 2027.
2. The other role will specialise in and support Labour Assembly Members on the Economy and the Fire portfolios.

The portfolios can change over time depending on political priorities.

In this role, you will undertake research and come up with solutions for the most pressing issues facing Londoners. You will provide research, policy briefings, advice and support to Labour Assembly Members in your research areas. Working with Members, you will draft reports to a publication standard on issues of importance to Londoners, ensure Members have the latest policy research and you will play an important role supporting Members in holding the Mayor to account through Mayor’s Question Time.

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. Political experience is desirable. Collaborative and diplomatic, you will bring to the role a talent for communicating and influencing both in person and in writing.

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 standard

To 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 Stakeholder and Communications 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 specifically for media work and/or briefings for media interviews; the ability to use a range of software and media.
• 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.
• Knowledge and understanding of media handling techniques, including strategies, including designing and delivering an effective communications plan for an elected politician.
• Ability to utilise the latest information and communication technologies in relation to media issues, including designing or commissioning leaflets, newsletters and other documents.

Behavioural competencies

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

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

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

This role is based at City Hall, in the Royal Docks (Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE).