Senior Policy and Programme Officer x 3

Good Growth

Good Growth is responsible for delivering and implementing the Mayor’s environment, transport and economic strategies and for the effective implementation of the London Plan. The Directorate is also responsible for regeneration (where the programme is not housing led), enterprise, growth, capital projects and design work.

About the team

Would you like to transform London to make it greener, healthier, nature-rich and ready to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies? The Green Infrastructure and Climate Adaptation teams work closely together to deliver the Mayor’s ‘Delivering a Greener and More Climate-Resilient London’ mandate and delivery plan. The teams deliver against seven main projects/workstreams to enable Londoners to enjoy green and wild spaces across the capital, and for London to be resilient to extreme weather and the impacts of climate change.

We’re expanding our team to deliver this ambitious programme. We’re looking for three Senior Policy and Programme Officers (with potential for further roles) with experience and expertise in different aspects of green infrastructure. This is a unique opportunity to help achieve the Mayor’s ambition to make London a leader in green infrastructure and urban rewilding, ensure that London remains more than half green and to ensure more Londoners benefit from having green space near where they live.

About the role

Reporting to a Principal Policy and Programme Officer, you’ll spearhead a portfolio of work to develop policy and evidence, and to deliver green infrastructure projects and programmes. Our team is multidisciplinary, reflecting the breadth of our remit which includes parks, urban greening, trees, biodiversity, and rewilding plus cross-cutting issues, such as data & evidence, strategy & planning, green finance and more.

To succeed in this role, you will bring a good knowledge of environment policy and a proven track record of working effectively with stakeholders. You’ll need to be able to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences, preferably with some experience of doing this in a political environment, as well as strong project management skills. You’ll need to be comfortable working in a matrix way across thematic portfolios to align policies and outcomes and will be able to demonstrate how you can work effectively as a team player in a collaborative and fast paced environment. You will need to be able to demonstrate strong experience and knowledge of at least one of the following specialisms:

• Ecology, biodiversity and/or conservation land management with an understanding of the opportunities and challenges for recovering nature in urban areas
• Funding and green finance investment mechanisms for green infrastructure, and the opportunities and challenges associated with this, especially in urban areas
• Green space, urban greening and/or landscape design and management
• Complex programme management in an environmental context

The capacity to learn quickly and understand different parts of the GI sector is more important than deep knowledge of a specific topic. These roles will be focused on strategic green and blue infrastructure projects including rewilding and a clean and healthy waterways plan as part of delivering this term's mandate but may pivot with future terms and mayors.

The Mayor’s ‘Delivering a Greener and More Climate-Resilient London’ delivery plan is new and most of the Green Infrastructure team’s work is new, innovative and in the process of design and early implementation. You must be comfortable in working with ambiguity with minimal instruction, translating senior leader requests into action, communicating complex issues and programmes clearly, managing relationships in pressured situations and dealing with iterative change.

What your day will look like

• Carrying out project management tasks and managing governance processes to track project spend and timelines, report progress, raise and mitigate risk and issues and facilitate programme decisions.
• Translating Mayoral priorities into delivery through policy development, policy influencing and direct delivery.
• Advising on and influencing the feasibility, deliverability and key outcomes of projects delivered by partners and grantees.
• Identifying opportunities for improving funding and finance opportunities for the sector, including by commissioning and leading research and developing relatsionships (specific to one role).
• Embedding EDI into programme design, communications, engagement and the implementation of the programme.
• Providing internal and external communications about projects and programmes through briefings, presentations, social media and more.
• Contributing to and helping to maintain repositories for key lines, briefings, project databases, stakeholder engagement and other records.
• Managing relationships and contracts with stakeholders, suppliers and internal teams to ensure high quality delivery.

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

• A track record, and evidence of success, of managing a relevant programme or project and delivering results on target and within budget. Experience of utilising appropriate and effective project management skills, methods and tools.
• A good understanding of the green infrastructure issues and challenges in London.
• Evidence of at least one of the following areas of expertise is essential:
  • Ecology, biodiversity and/or conservation land management with an understanding of the opportunities and challenges for recovering nature in urban areas
  • Funding and green finance investment mechanisms for green infrastructure, and the opportunities and challenges associated with this, especially in urban areas
  • Green space, urban greening and/or landscape design and management
  • Complex programme management in an environmental context
• Experience with and commitment to equality and diversity in an applied context, (specific experience of this in environment or green infrastructure desired, but not essential).
• Behavioural competency: Planning and Organising Level 2. Ability to manage time, priorities and risk, and develop structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.
• Behavioural competency: Stakeholder Focus Level 3. A successful track record of working effectively with colleagues at all levels of an organisation, and across organisational boundaries and evidence of leading collaborative teams. (Experience of successful delivery within a political environment is desired, but not essential.)
• Behavioural competency: Communicating and Influencing Level 2. Ability to support and influence others by building relationships through clear and persuasive written, verbal and physical presentation and personal credibility. Ability to prepare timely, clear and concise communications, presentations and briefings on complex and/or sensitive issues for a range of different needs and audiences.

Behavioural Competencies

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

• Prioritises work in line with key team or project deliverables
• Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines and milestones
• Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholders in planning work
• Pays close attention to detail, ensuring team’s work is delivered to a high standard
• Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverables can be met

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 of effective performance

• Understands diverse stakeholder needs and tailors deliverable accordingly
• Managers stakeholder expectations so they are high but realistic
• Removes barriers to understanding the needs of diverse stakeholders, including hard to reach groups

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

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).

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.

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring managers, Nicole Collomb, Jude Hassall or Elle Potter would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at collomb.hassall@london.gov.uk or eleanor.potter@london.gov.uk.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.

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: Week commencing 20 October 2025.

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 resourcingteam@london.gov.uk.