Communications Co-ordinator

Greater London Authority (GLA)

This is an exciting opportunity to join the City Hall Greens in the London Assembly. You’ll join a small but effective team, supporting three elected Green Party politicians to hold the Mayor to account and deliver change on the ground 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 emergency planning, and the Mayor’s multi-billion-pound budget.

You’ll oversee all press work and digital communications on behalf of the Green Assembly Members, working closely with a team of four Research and Support Officers and the Team Manager to maximise the impact of all our work.

Your tasks will include implementing a communications strategy, developing key messages, pitching to press, writing speeches, and producing video and graphic content for reports and social media. The work is fast moving, strategic, political in nature and varied.

Principal accountabilities

• Providing core research and policy briefings, advice, and support to the Assembly Member(s) across the range of their GLA functions.
• Providing pro-active press and public affairs support to the Assembly Member(s), including producing policy or constituency issue reports to publication standard.
• Acting as the first point of contact for the allocated Assembly Member(s) for all people within and without the organisation, representing the views and interests of the Member(s) in an effective and professional manner, and dealing with a wide range of internal and external people and organisations.
• Managing all correspondence (including electronic) and casework received by the Member concerned as required.
• Taking primary responsibility for the co-ordination of the given Assembly Member(s) work for Assembly meetings (such as the submission of questions for Mayor’s Question Time, and motions), in liaison with the Team Manager other colleagues.
• Acting on and managing resources allocated to the job in accordance with the Authority’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards; realising the benefits of London’s diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities; realising 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.

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 with a maximum of 1500 words to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address each of the following 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 cover letter are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name – 012345)

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. An understanding of the GLA’s commitment to equality of opportunity and valuing diversity, and the ability to translate this into action.

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

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

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

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 wish to work flexible working hours (such as compressed or reduced hours) or 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: 2nd July 2023 at 23:59