Research Unit Manager

Are you interested in leading a small, innovative research team within the London Assembly, working to hold the Mayor to account and investigate issues of importance to Londoners?

The London Assembly is looking for a talented Research Manager to join its Scrutiny Team, where you will be supporting members to scrutinise some of the key challenges facing London and examining the Mayor’s policies to address them.

The Research Unit (RU) Manager will lead a distinct group of 3-4 multi-disciplinary research staff, providing data and statistical support services to the committee support side of the scrutiny team.

As the new manager, you will also take lead responsibility for developing a RU service, to produce independent papers on the GLA, Assembly, and issues of topical interest to Londoners, for use by Assembly Members, staff, and the wider public. You will be a key part of ensuring the London Assembly’s work is informed by a wide range of evidence and diverse voices and inputs.

As such, we are looking for someone with excellent research and analysis, with experience and enthusiasm for developing new ways to present information and data. You will have exceptional drafting and editing skills in order to commission and approve Research Unit papers, and strong political judgement to ensure impartiality and timeliness of RU products.

As the Research Unit Manager, you will also commission subscriptions, resources and training for use by the wider Scrutiny Team.

You will be responsible for developing relationships with research teams in the GLA, across London, and with UK assemblies, identifying opportunities for cooperation with a range of organisations (including across the academic sector) and leading resulting projects.

You should have experience managing staff and motivating a small team. As part of this role, you will also develop and manage secondment opportunities into the team.

Ideally, you will have experience of working in a political environment or directly with politicians.

Principal accountabilities

1. To work closely with the Assistant Director to set and deliver priority areas of work for the London Assembly’s Scrutiny team.

1. To manage 3-4 staff within the Research Unit team on work for committees and the London Assembly as a whole, to deliver high quality research, analysis, briefings, advice and outputs to and for the Assembly and its committees. To build academic and other expert networks, and manage placements and secondments from these networks into the Research Unit team.

1. To establish, lead and be responsible for a Research Unit function within the London Assembly Secretariat, to provide information, data and research on GLA and London policy issues to the London Assembly, its committees and its Members.

1. To play a lead role in the Secretariat for the delivery of the Directorate’s business plan and strategic goals, in order to ensure the Assembly’s impact and profile is measurably improved over time.

1. Manage staff and resources in allocated to the job in accordance with the Authority’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards.

1. 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.

If you have a question about the role or would like to discuss it informally, please feel free to contact Zoe Oliver-Watts at zoe.oliver-watts@london.gov.uk to arrange a call. There will be a webinar on Teams for prospective candidates on Friday 22 May at 10am – 10.30am. This will share information about the job, and also provide an opportunity to ask questions. To join this webinar, please email Zoe Oliver-Watts for an invitation, or follow this link on the day.

​Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role. Please upload a personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the following technical requirements and competencies in your personal statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.

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

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

1. Knowledge and understanding of political, policy and governance issues relating to London and the UK more widely.

2. Proven experience working with research and data projects.

3. Experience establishing and successfully carrying out a programme of policy projects.

4. Experience leading and managing researchers and delivering complex projects to tight deadlines.

5. Experience of operating effectively in a political environment.

6. Degree or equivalent experience.

Behavioural competencies

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 4 indicators of effective performance:

• Exchanges ideas and knowledge with partners, subject-matter experts, and senior stakeholders to foster new research agendas and derive insights for the GLA
• Takes accountability for the quality of intelligence that research and new policy are based upon
• Encourages new and innovative insights from analysis
• Evaluates the feasibility and cost effectiveness of research proposals, stringently assessing whether the research will add real value
• Encourages research with a highly practical focus and maximum impact for 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

MANAGING AND DEVELOPING PERFORMANCE

… is setting high standards for oneself and others, guiding, motivating and developing them, to achieve high performance and meet the GLA’s objectives and statutory obligations.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance:

• 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

This role is based at City Hall, in the Royal Docks, Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE

The GLA operates a hybrid working model and employees are expected to be in the office 2-3 days a week on average. . As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

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, we 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.

Political Restriction

This job is ‘politically restricted’ under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989