Front End Developer

Greater London Authority (GLA); London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job description

Corporate Resources and Business Improvement

The Corporate Resources and Business Improvement directorate is led by executive director Dianne Tranmer. It's responsible for the GLA’s People Function, Facilities Management, the Digital Experience Unit and Technology Group, Information Governance and Executive Support Team as well as leadership of all our shared services across the GLA Group.

About the team
The Mayor of London’s Data for London Board has been established to improve the flow and usage of data to serve citizens, solve city challenges, and promote productivity - putting data into the hands of those who can make a positive difference for London. The Board brings together data leaders from across public, private and civil society and includes expertise in the fields of data science, data ethics, smart cities, cyber security, public engagement and data journalism.

Inside the GLA, the Data for London team are working to ‘fix the plumbing’ for the data ecosystem in London. This includes delivering a rebuild of the London Datastorehttps://data.london.gov.uk/, which serves 2m users and contains 18,000 data files. As we work towards that, the team have made ready for release the first component of new data infrastructure for London: the Data for London Library.

The Data for London Library will allow users to search city data, all in one place. We will harvest metadata from many more organisations across London than the current DataStore and put it all in one searchable library, allowing data analysts to find new datasets or possible collaborators to solve their problem.

The next phase of the Data for London programme will focus on designing products that make data sharing and access management easier, to make it simpler for people to share and use data held across London to improve the city and benefit Londoners.

About the role
Principal accountabilities

1. Design, develop, and implement bespoke front-end customer interfaces and web apps for use on the GLA’s website, Data for London. This will include interactive interfaces and data tools aimed at professional users and the general public.
2. Work independently across the entire life cycle of building web interfaces, from gathering and understanding users’ requirements, designing & choosing solutions, and planning your project workflows to integrating with other team members & services, then building, deploying, supporting and decommissioning your application.
3. Lead on and evolve technical directions and solutions for our future products, taking an innovative and pragmatic approach to the choice of tools, frameworks & development environment and supporting colleagues on their introduction and use.
4. Provide web interface development support and technical expertise to the team, and wider GLA when external contracts are being commissioned. Ensuring opportunities for reusing previous code/systems and identifying integration points.
5. Pursue opportunities to integrate interfaces with the London Datastore and wider GLA digital estate (London.gov.uk).
6. Research and choose appropriate Database / API solutions for your work.
7. Act as technical liaison with colleagues from the wider GLA Digital Experience Unit, and where appropriate with third party (application and data) suppliers to the GLA.
8. Write comprehensive technical specifications, support documentation and provide training /support for other members of the development team to publish interfaces using the ‘GLA template’ and update & support previously published (legacy) interfaces.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Manage staff and resources in allocated to the job in accordance with the Authority’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards.

Person specification

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

1. Professional experience of modern JavaScript frameworks (for example: React, Vue or Svelte).
2. Professional experience of modern JavaScript Tools, testing & Build Processes (for example, NPM, NodeJS, Gulp, Babel, Webpack, etc).
3. Good professional frontend web development experience with expert knowledge in HTML, CSS (SCSS) and vanilla JavaScript (ES6).
4. A strong technical background evidenced by a qualification in Information Technology, Information Systems, Computer Science, or equivalent professional experience.
5. Working knowledge of Backend web technologies (for instance Ubuntu, Nginx, AWS EC2) desirable and an interest in dev ops.
6. Expert knowledge of implementing version control in Git / GitHub.
7. Significant experience of structuring your application around accessing data via REST APIs.
8. Evidence of resolving technical problems within customer expectations and of systems performance monitoring, analysing options and providing the best solution.
9. Knowledge of or interest in any of the following areas:

• D3 and other data viz libraries,
• Data Science technologies such as Python and R.
• Data cataloguing software, including CKAN.
• Identity and access management technologies, including Keycloack and OAuth.

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 3 indicators:

• Encourages and supports teams in engaging in transparent and inclusive communication.
• Influences others and gains buy-in using compelling, well thought through arguments.
• Negotiates effectively to deliver GLA priorities.
• Synthesises the complex viewpoints of others, recognises where compromise is necessary and brokers agreement.
• Advocates positively for the GLA both within and outside the organisation.

Problem Solving

… is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.

Level 3 indicators:

• 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.

Stakeholder Focus

… is consulting with, listening to and understanding the needs of those our work impacts and using this knowledge to shape what we do and manage others’ expectations.

Level 3 indicators:

• Understands diverse stakeholder needs and tailors team deliverables accordingly.
• Is a role model to others, encouraging them to think of Londoners first.
• Manages stakeholder expectations, so they are high but realistic.
• Removes barriers to understanding the needs of diverse stakeholders, including hard to reach groups.
• Focuses own and team’s efforts on delivering a quality and committed service.

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:

• 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.

Responding to pressure and change

… is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift.

Level 2 indicators:

• Maintains a focus on key priorities and deliverables, staying resilient in the face of pressure.
• Anticipates and adapts flexibly to changing requirements.
• Uses challenges as an opportunity to learn and improve.
• Participates fully and encourages others to engage in change initiatives.
• Manages team’s well-being, supporting them to cope with pressure and change.

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).

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.

Application Process& Additional Information

Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role.

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 outlined above in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.

Word or PDF formats are preferred and must 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).

Applications submitted without a Personal Statement will not be considered.

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, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days of annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

On this recruitment campaign, 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.

Reasonable adjustment will be made to working arrangements to accommodate a person with a disability who otherwise would be prevented from undertaking the work.

Application closing date: Sunday 13th April 2025 at 23:59.

We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.

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.

Secondment Opportunity

If you are a GLA employee applying for an internal fixed term position, as an internal secondment opportunity, you must ensure you satisfy the following secondment policy criteria listed below before applying:

• Currently on a permanent contract or a fixed term contract where the time left on the contract at the point at which you apply for secondment is longer than the secondment period;
• Successfully completed your probation period and are performing to the required standard for your current role.
• At least 18 months of service with the GLA.

If you do meet the criteria listed above, you will need to complete theApproval for secondment application form and gain line manager approval, before emailing the fully completed form to the Resourcing Assistant who is managing the vacancy. This form must be received by the closing date of the vacancy. Failure to provide this form will mean your application cannot be progressed.

If you are unable to satisfy all of the criteria, unfortunately you are not eligible to apply for this vacancy as an internal secondment. For further information, please seeSecondment Policy and Procedure.

IMPORTANT:If you are a current GLA employee on fixed term contract, which is due to end BEFORE the end date of this vacancy, you DO NOT NEED to complete theApproval for secondment application form as it is not a secondment.

If you are successful in securing this secondment opportunity, you will need to be released from your existing role, so please ensure that you make your line manager aware of your application.

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.

If you have a question about the role or would like to discuss it informally, please feel free to contact Martine Wauben [e-mail] to arrange a call.

Have you uploaded both your CV and a separate personal statement as individual documents?
1. Yes, I have uploaded both.
2. No, I have not uploaded both yet.

More Support
If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please [e-mail].

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.