Civil Society Policy and Data Officer

​Working for City Hall makes a difference to the lives of Londoners. Our staff are at the centre of long-term planning and development for our great city.
 

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 mission of City Hall's Community Engagement team is to bridge the gap between City Hall and London's communities. Our team works on removing barriers, reducing inequalities and giving communities a platform to be seen, heard, resourced, and more actively engaged in the City’s decision making.  

We focus on transforming policymaking, amplifying the influence of Londoners and strengthening civil society: 

• improving the skills and infrastructure for engagement within the Greater London Authority and across the capital

• ensuring all Londoners have the knowledge, voice and power to influence the decisions affecting them, their families and their community

• creating the right conditions for a stronger, better connected civil society that supports a fairer city for all Londoners.  

About the role

To work with the Principal Civil Society Officer delivering the work of the GLA in strengthening and supporting civil society through the design and delivery of programmes in support of the Mayor’s reducing inequalities mandate. This is currently being delivered via the Loved and Wanted Fund.

Engaging with London’s diverse communities, gathering insight and developing opportunities to demonstrate the value of the work of London’s communities and civil society to improve GLA’s policy and programmes and support the Mayor’s ambitions within this area.

What your day will look like

• Liaising with external grantees on the delivery of Loved and Wanted programme.
• Responding to any programme queries from internal stakeholders, including Assembly.
• Collaborating with Communications lead on continuing to tell the story of the programme’s impact.
• Liaising with freelancers leading on evaluation and peer learning.

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

1. Understanding of civil society and the major challenges faced by voluntary and community sector groups and organizations particularly within a London context  
2. A strong understanding of how to use qualitative and quantitative data to inform policy making 
3. The ability to convey impact evaluation to a range of audiences via published reports, data tools, and oral presentations 
4. Experience of establishing external partnerships and managing multiple relationships with stakeholders   
5. An understanding of operating in a politically-sensitive environment, working across a range of stakeholders with potentially competing perspectives
6. Experience of project management and community engagement, working on projects to develop new ways of capturing and sharing data.  

Behavioural Competencies

COMMUNICATION 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 positive image both internally and externally  

BUILDING AND MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS

…is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.   

Level 3 indicators of effective performance 

• Actively engages partners and encourages others to build relationships that support GLA objectives 
• Understands and recognizes the contribution that staff at all levels make to delivering priorities 
• Adapts style to work effectively with partners, building consensus, trust and respect 
• Delivers objectives by bringing together diverse stakeholders to work effectively in partnership 

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 

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 Shipra.ogra@london.gov.uk. 

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

Is this role eligible for sponsorship?

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 26 Jan 2026

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. 

Secondment Opportunity

If you are a GLA employee applying for an internal fixed-term position, as an internal secondment opportunity, you must ensure you satisfy the following secondment policy criteria listed below before applying 

• On a permanent contract or a fixed term contract where the time left on the contract at the point at which you apply for secondment is longer than the secondment period;
• successfully completed your probation period and are performing to the required standard for your current role; and
• at least 18 months service with the GLA 

If you do meet the criteria listed above, you will need to complete the Approval for secondment application form and gain line manager approval, before emailing the fully completed form to the Resourcing Assistant who is managing the vacancy. This form must be received by the closing date of the vacancy. Failure to provide this form will mean your application cannot be progressed.

If you are unable to satisfy all of the criteria, unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply for this vacancy as an internal secondment.  For further information, please see Secondment Policy and Procedure.

IMPORTANT: If you are a current GLA employee on a fixed-term contract, which is due to end BEFORE the end date of this vacancy, you DO NOT NEED to complete the Approval for secondment application form as it is not a secondment.

If you are successful in securing this secondment opportunity, you will need to be released from your existing role, so please ensure that you make your line manager aware of your application

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam@london.gov.uk.

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.

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.

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.

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 a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria.

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.