Research and Information Officer

Greater London Authority (GLA); Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A public authority in London is seeking a Research and Information Officer to enhance engagement with diverse communities. You'll be responsible for evaluating team needs, communicating the team's work through various channels, and supporting community engagement initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and collaboration skills, along with experience in social policy reporting. This hybrid role offers competitive benefits, including 30 days of annual leave and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

30 days annual leave

Interest-free season ticket loan

Interest-free bicycle loan

Career average pension scheme

Qualifications

• Ability to produce high-quality written and verbal communication.
• Experience in producing research-based reports in social policy.
• Track record of collaborative work and understanding of communications.
• Experience in project monitoring and evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Identify and plan evaluation and communication needs.
• Research relevant policy updates.
• Engage in faith events and act as lead for faith community.
• Capture and communicate community engagement work.

Skills

High standard communication skills

Report writing

Collaborative working

Monitoring and evaluation

Community engagement experience

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 GLA Community Engagement (CE) team connects City Hall to London’s exciting mix of communities. Everything we do is geared towards giving London’s communities a platform to be seen, heard and resourced to bring about change, and to be more actively engaged in the City’s decision making. The CE team also leads the GLA’s civil society policy, which is focused on recognising, supporting and building strong partnerships with London’s Voluntary sector.

About the role

The Research and Information Officer will support the team to engage effectively with London’s diverse communities by championing and implementing ways to strengthen the use of internal data for evaluation and learning purposes. The role will provide monitoring, evaluation and learning support to CE team’s programme workstreams, ensuring that priorities are identified, and consistent monitoring, analysis and evaluation of activities takes place. The role will also support the CE team’s communications strategy programme by leading on communicating the community engagement team’s work through a range of channels including Mayor’s Community Newsletter, internal reports, blogs and website updates.

What your day will look like

1. Working closely with community engagement officers to identify and plan the team’s evaluation and communication needs. Current focus will be on Loved and Wanted Fund.
2. Supporting the team to research relevant policy updates related to Civil Society portfolio of our work.
3. Supporting team on any faith engagement events, and act as lead/co‑lead for a faith community.
4. Capturing and communicating the community engagement team’s work via the newsletter, contributing to the Mayor’s monthly report, internal reports, blogs, website updates.
5. Responding appropriately to correspondence and act as an initial point of contact for Londoners and London’s communities and feed these into relevant policy teams.

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

• Ability to produce a very high standard of written and verbal communication for a wide range of audiences.
• Experience producing reports and proposals based on primary and secondary research in a social policy environment.
• Proven track record of working collaboratively and an understanding of communications.
• Experience of delivering monitoring and evaluation of project implementation and demonstration of outputs
• Strong understanding of / experience working in community engagement or in the voluntary and community sector.

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

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

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 of effective performance

• 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

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 ‘CV and Cover Letters’ 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)

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, the hiring manager Shipra Ogra would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at [e-mail].

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact [e-mail] 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 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 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.

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. 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 [e-mail].