Project Officer

Greater London Authority (GLA); London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public sector organization in London is seeking a Project Officer for its Public Land team. This role focuses on supporting housing delivery initiatives through effective project management and communication strategies, collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance housing solutions in the city.

Benefits

30 days’ annual leave

Interest free season ticket loan

Interest free bicycle loan

Career average pension scheme

Qualifications

• First class written and oral communication skills.
• Experience of successful project management in a political environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects and support strategic meetings.
• Develop and deliver internal communications plan.
• Coordinate updates and manage events.

Skills

Communication

Project Management

Job description

Housing and Land

The Housing and Land directorate is responsible for the Mayor’s plans to deliver new and improved homes and strong communities. Working closely with boroughs and partners, we manage the Mayor’s housing investment programmes and land and property assets to support the building of affordable homes, job creation and regeneration.

About the team

The role sits within the GLA’s Public Land team which manages a collection of programmes that are focussed on supporting public sector landowners to identify and bring forward surplus land for housing in London. The team works with a range of partners to share expertise and build partnerships that advance the delivery of housing in London.

About the role

We are seeking a skilledproject officer to join the Public Land team tosupport the continued implementation of the recommendations from theLord Kerslake’s Review of Housing Delivery(2022).

The focus of this role will be to support the delivery of theHomes for LondonersCollaboration programme. This is a high-profile programme which embeds a more streamlined and collaborative approach to housing delivery across the GLA Group and wider public landowner partners. The GLA Group is made up of GLA, Places for London (TfL’s property company), Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC), London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), the London Fire Commissioner and Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, where these organisations are collectively responsible for bringing forward exciting and strategic development schemes on surplus landholdings across London.

In this role, you will develop and deliver the internal communications plan underpinning the programme, as well as provide support for the wider programme delivery. This includes managing projects, supporting strategic meetings, and implementing events and tools that facilitate collaboration. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a wide range of colleagues from across the GLA Group and learn about the work carried out by the Group development teams.

You will be able to demonstrate good communications skills, including identifying and developing key messages and communicating with different audiences. You will have excellent planning and organising skills that allow you to effectively manage a varied portfolio of work with competing programme priorities.

What your day will look like

• Planning, sourcing and drafting content for programme communications such as a regular newsletter and jobs bulletins using Mailchimp and other communications platforms
• Coordinating project updates and agenda items for strategic meetings supporting the programme
• Liaising with relevant stakeholders across the GLA Group to manage a programme of events and shared learning activities
• Researching and mapping technical options, such as networking platforms, to better facilitate cross group collaboration and communications

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

• First class written and oral communication skills
• Knowledge of a range of communications techniques and experience of managing internal communications
• Experience of successful project management and delivery in a political environment

How to apply

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 format preferred and do 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

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Christine Wood would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at [e-mail].

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: To be confirmed

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 ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have a disability or long-term condition (for example dyslexia, anxiety, autism, a mobility condition or hearing loss) and need us to make any reasonable adjustments, changes or do anything differently during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing Victoria Shearer on [e-mail]

Reasonable adjustments will be made on a case-by-case basis, but some (non-exhaustive) examples include:

• Providing extra time in assessments and interviews;
• Providing communication support such as a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter during the interview;
• Providing questions in advance of the interview;
• Holding the interview/assessment in an accessible building;
• Holding interviews in different formats – such as over the phone or via a video call.

Please note 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, or if there is one, move forward to the next phase of the recruitment process, for example a test.

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.

Find out which DBS check is right for your employee - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Full job description can be found below:

Job title: Project Officer, Public Land

Grade: 8

Post number: GLA

Directorate: Housing and Land

Unit: Land & Development

Team: Public Land

Job purpose

As a result of the 2022 Kerslake Review into GLA Group housing delivery this role will work with the Programme Manager for Kerslake Implementation to project manage the delivery of cross-cutting GLA Group housing collaboration projects to support the Mayor’s housing priorities. To work across the GLA Group providing internal communications support to enable effective working.

Principal accountabilities

1. Lead and deliver cross-cutting GLA Group collaboration projects in line with planned performance and outputs to time, budget commitments and quality specifications.
2. Prepare, implement and monitor the GLA Group internal communication strategy in relation to housing delivery including regular staff communications, gathering feedback and briefing meetings.
3. Monitor and oversee the housing development activities of GLA Group partners, identifying and reporting on risks and issues as appropriate.
4. In relation to the projects assigned to the role, take overall responsibility for procurement processes, project management, approvals, communications, consultation, monitoring and review.
5. Prepare and present reports, briefs and recommendations on key issues and actions to senior managers and the Deputy Mayor to facilitate executive understanding and decision making.
6. Develop, manage and implement marketing and promotional strategies for relevant projects, in partnership with the GLA Marketing team.
7. 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.
8. Realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this post, and participating in multi-disciplinary cross department and cross organisational groups and project teams.

Accountable to:Programme Manager, Kerslake Implementation

Accountable for:Resources allocated to the post

Principle contacts:Internal Stakeholders across the GLA Group, delivery partners, consultants, contractors

Person specification

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

1. Ability to deliver projects on time and on budget.
2. First class written and oral communication skills
3. Knowledge of a range of communications techniques

Key Experience

• Experience of successful project management in a political environment
• Experience of managing internal communications

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

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 2 indicators of effective performance

• Seeks to understand requirements, gathering extra information when needs are not clear
• Presents the GLA positively by interacting effectively with stakeholders
• Delivers a timely and accurate service
• Understands the differing needs of stakeholders and adapts own service accordinglySeeks and uses feedback from a variety of sources to improve the GLA’s service to Londoners

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 3 indicators of effective performance:

• 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

Organisational Awareness

…is understanding and being sensitive to organisational dynamics, culture and politics across and beyond the GLA and shaping our approach accordingly.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Challenges unethical behaviour
• Uses understanding of the GLA’s complex partnership arrangements to deliver effectively
• Recognises how political changes and sensitivities impact on own and team’s work
• Translates changing political agendas into tangible actions
• Follows the GLA’s position in the media and understands how it impacts on work

Reasonable adjustment

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