Principal Policy Officer – Equalities

Greater London Authority; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Career average pension scheme

Interest free season ticket loan

Hybrid working

Job summary

Greater London Authority seeks an exceptional equality policy expert to lead a small team and advance the Mayor’s priorities for tackling structural inequalities across London. You’ll support delivery of the Reducing Inequalities Mandate and provide strategic advice on equalities to senior leaders.

The role involves developing approaches and tools to meet Equality Act duties, embedding equality considerations in policy development and decision-making across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Experience of social policy in London context; equalities focus advantageous.
• Expert knowledge of relevant equalities legislation and its role in public bodies.
• Experience with issues affecting groups sharing protected characteristics.
• Track record delivering multiple projects on time and budget.
• Policy development in a complex political environment with strategic thinking.
• Strong knowledge of stakeholders and relationships essential to social policy in London.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to setting strategic direction on structural inequalities and manage a portfolio of policy activity.
• Lead development of strategies and policies, oversee research, analysis, option appraisals and consultations.
• Provide expert advice on equalities legislation and its application to policies and programmes.
• Coordinate and quality assure expert briefings and reports for the Mayor and senior officers.
• Represent the GLA on equalities matters at meetings, conferences and in communications.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Policy development

Analytical thinking

Team leadership

Communication

Equality expertise

Job description

Communities & Skills

Collaborative, open, inclusive and fair - we work with and through partners to ensure Londoners can shape healthy, empowered and productive lives. Communities and Skills is led by Executive Director, Tunde Olayinka and is comprised of the following units: Civil Society & Sport, Communities & Social Policy, Group Public Health Unit, Skills and Employment and Health, Children and Young Londoners.

About The Team

The Communities Team works with communities, civil society organisations, funders and public sector partners to help make London a fairer, more connected and inclusive city. We develop and deliver programmes that support communities to thrive, strengthen civil society and increase opportunities for Londoners to participate in their communities.

You’ll join a team working across a varied portfolio, with opportunities to contribute to policy development, programme delivery and partnership work. The team works closely with colleagues across the GLA and with organisations across London, so you’ll have the opportunity to build a wide network and see how your work contributes to the Mayor’s priorities.

About The Role

We are looking for an exceptional, confident and passionate equality policy expert to lead a small team and drive forward the Mayor’s priorities for tackling structural inequalities across London.

As Principal Policy Officer for Equalities, you will support the Head of Communities and the Senior Manager for Engagement, Insight and Equalities in delivering the Mayor’s priorities to tackle structural inequalities and address the inequalities experienced by Londoners. This will include supporting the delivery of the Mayor’s Reducing Inequalities Mandate and leading projects and initiatives that improve outcomes for people with protected characteristics.

A key aspect of the role will be to lead the development and delivery of approaches, resources and tools that enable the GLA to meet its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010, including the Public Sector Equality Duty and other relevant legislation. This will involve providing expert advice and guidance to teams across the organisation, helping them to understand how their work can better address inequalities and ensure that equality considerations are embedded in policy development, decision-making and delivery.

The postholder will manage a small team and also provide strategic advice and expertise on equalities issues affecting Londoners to the Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, other members of the Mayor’s Office and the GLA’s Corporate Management Team. Through this work, the role will help ensure that the GLA is equipped to respond effectively to the experiences and needs of London’s diverse communities and make meaningful progress towards tackling structural inequalities.

What your day will look like

You’ll Have a Varied Workload, Managing a Small Team Of Officers, Working With Colleagues And Partners To Reduce Structural Inequalities In London. This Could Include The Following

• Contribute to setting the strategic direction of the GLA’s work on structural inequalities, including identifying, developing and managing a portfolio of policy and programme activity to advance the Mayor’s priorities.
• Lead the development of statutory and non-statutory strategies and policies, including undertaking and overseeing research, analysis, option appraisals and consultation. Provide expert advice on equalities legislation and its application to GLA policies and programmes.
• Oversee, coordinate and quality assure expert advice, briefings and reports for the Mayor, Deputy Mayors and senior officers on structural inequalities, including responding to emerging issues and external developments. Maintain an up-to-date understanding of relevant legislative, policy and social developments, identifying opportunities and risks that may affect the Mayor’s priorities.
• Work collaboratively across the GLA and wider GLA Group, and build strong relationships with partners across the public, private, voluntary and community sectors to ensure that equality considerations are embedded in relevant policies, programmes and projects, and inform their development and delivery.
• Lead and contribute to communications on the Mayor’s policies and priorities relating to structural inequalities, representing the GLA at meetings, seminars and conferences and through a range of media. Contribute to corporate and unit-level planning and performance management, promoting equality of opportunity and recognising the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities.

Skills, Knowledge And Experience

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

• Professional experience, expertise and knowledge of social policy, in particular within a London context. Experience of working in a role or on projects focused on equalities will be advantageous.
• Expert knowledge of relevant equalities legislation and its role within the administration of public bodies.
• Direct experience of, or the ability to quickly develop expertise and understanding of, issues relevant to specific groups sharing protected characteristics.
• A track record of managing multiple projects successfully and delivering results on target and within budget.
• Experience and understanding of policy development processes within a complex political environment, including first rate analytical skills, the ability to think strategically and long term, and with an eye on how policy will be implemented in practice.
• Excellent knowledge of the stakeholders and relationships that are key to the development and delivery of social policy in London.

Behavioural Competencies

BUILDING AND MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS – Level 3

• Actively engages partners and encourages others to build relationships that support GLA objectives
• Understands and recognises the contributions that staff at all levels make to delivering priorities
• Proactively manages partner relationships, preventing or resolving any conflict
• Adapts style to work effectively with partners, building consensus, trust and respect
• Delivers objectives by bringing together diverse stakeholders to work effectively in partnership

STAKEHOLDER FOCUS – Level 3

• 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

MANAGING AND DEVELOPING PERFORMANCE – Level 3

• Motivates and inspires others to perform to their best, recognising and valuing their work and encouraging them to learn and reflect
• Sets clear direction and expectations and enables others to interpret competing priorities
• Agrees and monitors challenging, achievable performance objectives in line with GLA priorities
• Manages performance issues effectively to avoid adverse impact on team morale and performance
• Promotes a positive team culture that respects diversity and deals with barriers to inclusion

PLANNING AND ORGANISING – Level 3

• Monitors allocation of resources, anticipating changing requirements that may impact work delivery
• Ensures evaluation processes are in place to measure project benefits
• Gains buy-in and commitment to project delivery from diverse stakeholders
• Implements quality measures to ensure directorate output is of a high standard
• Translates political vision into action plans and deliverables

PROBLEM-SOLVING – Level 3

• 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

ORGANISATIONAL AWARENESS – Level 3

• Uses understanding of differences between the GLA and its partners to improve working relationships
• Helps others understand the GLA and the complex environment in which it operates
• Translates changing political agendas into tangible actions
• Considers the diverse needs of Londoners in formulating GLA objectives and programmes
• Helps others understand how the media and external perceptions of the GLA influence work

RESPONDING TO PRESSURE AND CHANGE – Level 3

• Clarifies direction and adapts to changing priorities and uncertain times
• Minimises the pressure of change for the directorate, lessening the impact for the team
• Uses change as an opportunity to improve ways of working, encouraging others’ buy-in
• Keeps staff motivated and engaged during times of change, promoting the benefits
• Takes ownership for communicating change initiatives clearly, ensuring smooth implementation

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here:

GLA Competency Framework

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.

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, Carla Garnelas, Head of Communities would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at [email protected] .

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the [email protected] who support the GLA with recruitment.

This role DOES NOT meet the criteria for sponsorship for external candidates. It may meet the criteria for sponsorship for some internal candidates, in limited circumstances. Please contact the hiring manager if you wish to discuss this further.

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 14 December 2026 (may be subject to change)

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.

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.

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.

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact [email protected].