Young London, Youth Engagement Operations Officer / Children & Young London Strategic Partnerships

​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 roles

We are recruiting to two roles that sit in the Strategic Partnerships Team of the Young London and Communities Unit. The unit aims to make London work better for young people and communities, especially those least well served by it. We do this by delivering the Mayor’s priorities and commitments, creating opportunities, building partnerships and strengthening belonging across London.

The Youth Engagement Operations Officer role holder will support the management, delivery, performance and evaluation of youth engagement operations, and a range of children and young Londoners projects, working in an agile way across the Children and Young Londoners programme portfolio. The post holder will support and lead on policy and project scoping, delivery and analysis around the areas of youth engagement including local authority, national government and private sector stakeholders.

The Children and Young London Strategic Partnerships role will support the delivery of partnership focussed projects and policy across the GLA related to the Mayor’s Supporting and Investing in Young London mandate. The post holder will support colleagues to understand how we work strategically with stakeholders across the London system.

The post holders will provide advice on Mayoral programmes, policies and strategies and responses to external developments as they emerge, such as changes to Government policy. This includes the provision of written and oral briefings, high level advice and specialist reports for the Mayor and advisers on these issues.

The postholder will be expected to achieve desired outputs within agreed timeframes and budgets, to specification and operational standards.

Accountable to: Manager, Youth insights and engagement policy / Principle Officer, Children & Young People Partnerships

Accountable for: operational management, delivery, performance and evaluation of youth engagement and strategic partnership activity and other delivery and policy areas as appropriate

Principle contacts: Programme Office, Central Communications team, Business administration team, London Youth, Partnership for Young London, VRU, Young Londoners Coalition, evaluation partners, suppliers. 

What your day will look like

• Supporting the management, delivery, performance and evaluation of a range of children and Young Londoners projects relating to Mayoral priorities as appropriate.
• Supporting the delivery cycle from contracting through to completion including project management.
• Providing advice on Mayoral programmes, policies and strategies and responses to external developments as they emerge, such as changes to Government policy. This includes supporting and coordinating the provision of written and oral briefings, high level advice and specialist reports for the Mayor and advisers on these issues.
• Carrying out relevant work in accordance with relevant public procurement and GLA procedures and ensuring high quality delivery within the allocated budget and timelines.
• Establishing and maintaining systems and process to ensure the effective delivery of key projects and policies.
• Supporting and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and partners, ensuring they contribute to ongoing policy development
• Working collaboratively with team colleagues on the scoping and development of projects to further the work with children and young Londoners, reflecting agreed Mayoral and partnership priorities.
• Preparing written and oral briefings, advice and reports for the GLA, responses to Mayor's Questions, WriteOns (the Mayor's correspondence system) and other correspondence, to a high standard.
• Establishing and maintaining good working relationships within and outside the Authority and with the GLA Functional Bodies in order to ensure that opportunities for integration and inter-disciplinary working are realised.
• Preparing responses to project-related questions and correspondence to the Mayor and from Assembly members, Government departments and other organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
• Presenting on subjects relating to the Mayor's policies, objectives and concerns at conferences, seminars and meetings to external bodies and organisations.
• Producing regular reports on risks, issues and performance and taking steps to resolve performance issues in advance.
• Managing resources allocated in accordance with the Authority's policies and Code of Ethics and Standards.

• Realising the benefits of London's diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London's communities.

• Realising 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.

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

• An understanding of the issues associated with working in a complex political environment and the ability to negotiate and broker consensus within an organisation.
• Experience and understanding of good practice and operational methodology of consulting, engaging and informing young people in all aspects of policy and project development and delivery
• Demonstrable ability and experience of contract managing project delivery in the education or youth sector.
• Experience of managing multiple-project programmes and ensuring they deliver results on target and within budget, with first-hand experience of complex negotiation and monitoring issues and risks.
• Good understanding and practical experience of establishing effective monitoring and evaluation processes/systems.
• Experience of co-ordinating work across a number of stakeholders, organising events/conferences/seminars and engaging young people in project development and delivery.

Behavioural Competencies

Building & Managing Relationships

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

Level 1 indicators of effective performance

• Builds rapport quickly with people at all levels and from different backgrounds
• Actively listens to others and is open to their ideas
• Identifies and resolves conflict between self and others
• Makes others feel comfortable and respected by being positive and friendly
• Shares information openly with colleagues within and outside own team

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 1 indicators of effective performance

• Plans and prioritises own workload to meet agreed deadlines
• Advises colleagues or manager early of obstacles to work delivery
• Perseveres and follows work through to completion
• Checks for errors to ensure work is delivered to a high standard first time
• Effectively juggles priorities

Organisational Awareness

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

Level 1 indicators of effective performance

• Understands the structure and statutory responsibilities of the GLA
• Understands how own role and work contributes to team and organisational objectives
• Understands the role of the GLA, the Mayor and the Assembly in relation to Londoners
• Is sensitive to the culture and political context of the GLA and uses it to work effectively
• Treats GLA information as sensitive and confidential

Decision Making

…is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results

Level 1 indicators of effective performance

• Takes personal responsibility for own decisions
• Makes straightforward decisions to progress own work
• Asks others for input, recognising the benefit of more than one perspective
• Understands which decisions are within own area of responsibility and which to pass to others
• Understands the risks associated with decisions, informing others of these risks

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 1 indicators of effective performance

• Stays calm in pressurised and demanding situations
• Responds flexibly to changing circumstances
• Recognises when unable to cope and asks others for help
• Demonstrates openness to changing work priorities and deadlines
• Maintains personal well-being and achieves a balance between work and home life

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 managers Misha Bolton and Dan Lescure would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at misha.bolton@london.gov.uk or Daniel.Lescure@london.gov.uk

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk 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: W/c 30 November 2024 (may be subject to change)

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.

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

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.