About the role

Important - 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 technical requirements and competencies in your personal statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.

We are seeking a talented individual to help lead the team responsible for tackling air pollution and reducing transport emissions in the capital. You will arrive at an exciting time as we take forward projects and policies that are already having a real impact, including delivering the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone.

Our vision is for London to be a leader in the UK and globally by going beyond current air quality legal limits and understand how the city can meet World Health Organization (WHO) recommended air quality guidelines as early as possible to protect public health and reduce inequalities.

Reporting to the Head of Air Quality, the post-holder will manage staff, budgets and projects.

Excellent organisational, research, and problem-solving skills will be crucial to your success. You’ll need a demonstrable flair for communicating and influencing and a proven track record in the delivery of major complex projects and programmes.

The role requires a flexible, adaptable and collaborative approach, and will involve working on many initiatives simultaneously, in a fast paced and political environment.

The ability to interpret, analyse and present data and technical information would be an advantage, and experience of air quality, sustainable transport or related environmental field is required.

The Air Quality team is based within the GLA Connectivity, Air Quality, Transport and Infrastructure team (CAQTI). This is a rare opportunity to work with colleagues who are committed to making a difference to the lives of Londoners and future generations.

If you have a question about the role or would like to discuss it informally, please feel free to contact Alejandro Colsa (alejandro.colsa@london.gov.uk)

Principal accountabilities

Be responsible for the strategic development, procurement, governance and project delivery of major, high profile/high value environmental policies, projects and programmes to ensure delivery of the Mayor’s environmental priorities.

Identify the need for, devise and develop new environment policies, projects or programmes and manage teams to ensure successful delivery.

Provide a strategic link across all relevant directorates within the GLA, ensuring effective communication of objectives and work programmes.

Provide advice and technical support to the Mayor, Deputy Mayors, Mayoral Advisers, senior managers and Assembly Members on matters within the area of responsibility.

Establish, develop and maintain strong relationships with senior representatives of functional bodies, government departments, borough councils, other statutory agencies, external partners and global networks in a manner that ensures mutual confidence and trust, and builds avenues for the promotion of the Mayor's programmes and shared working.

Monitor regional, national and international initiatives and best practice in environmental and climate change fields to keep the GLA's thinking and delivery abreast of latest developments.

Ensure that environment projects and programmes deliver planned performance and outputs to time, GLA budget commitments and quality specifications by monitoring the activities of development partners and their contractors, identifying and reporting on risks as appropriate.

Identify opportunities for, and secure, external funding and other income in support of the Mayor’s strategies, plans and policies, and, working with the Head of Air Quality, allocate and manage budgets for projects undertaken. Source, select, appoint and manage consultants and contractors to carry out relevant work in accordance with relevant public procurement and GLA procedures and ensure delivery within the allocated budget/to time/quality/specification.

Maintain regular and accurate reporting to Directorate management, with respect to the current and forecast status on assigned projects, and contribute, as required, to the corporate business plan and other corporate management activities.

Establish and maintain excellent internal and external working relationships, and participate in cross-organisational and sector projects, to ensure opportunities for integration are maximised across the work programme of the GLA Group and that relationships with key stakeholders are further enhanced.

Present the projects, in the context of the Mayor’s policies, objectives and concerns at conferences, seminars and meetings to external bodies and organisations, and deputise for the Head of Air Quality by representing the GLA when needed and as otherwise required.

Realise the benefits of London’s diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities.

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.

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

Thorough knowledge of air quality, environment and climate change issues and policy, and the organisational and political landscape for their development and delivery.

Understanding of the environmental agenda in London and the GLA’s role in delivering this agenda, ideally with experience of the role of transport in supporting environmental goals.

Demonstrable experience of developing, managing and delivering large-scale high value environmental policies, projects and programmes, with track record of successful stakeholder management and contract management and delivering results on target and within budget and allocated resources.

A successful track record of giving high-level professional advice on strategic issues at a senior level.

Strong programme and project management skills and experience, including evidence of successful delivery.

Behavioural competencies

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

Delivers objectives by bringing together diverse stakeholders to work effectively in partnership

Actively engages partners and encourages others to build relationships that support GLA objectives

Understands and recognises the contributions that staff at all levels make to delivering priorities

Proactively manages partner relationships, preventing or resolving any conflict

Adapts style to work effectively with partners, building consensus, trust and respect

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 3 indicators of effective performance

Encourages and supports teams in engaging in transparent and inclusive communication

Influences others and gains buy-in using compelling, well thought through arguments

Negotiates effectively to deliver GLA priorities

Synthesises the complex viewpoints of others, recognises where compromise is necessary and brokers agreement

Advocates positively for the GLA both within and outside the organization

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 4 indicators of effective performance

Adapts objectives and the GLA's public facing position based on the context behind stakeholder needs and requests

Builds the GLA's reputation as an organisation committed to meeting the needs of Londoners

Manages partner organisations' and Londoners' expectations of the GLA by anticipating and influencing changing priorities

Instils a culture that encourages GLA staff to think about meeting Londoners' needs first

Builds the confidence of staff, partner organisations and Londoners by ensuring the GLA delivers quality work

Strategic thinking

...is using an understanding of the bigger picture to uncover potential challenges and opportunities for the long term and turning these into a compelling vision for action.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

Translates GLA vision and strategy into practical and tangible plans for own team or delivery partners

Consistently takes account of the wider implications of team's actions for the GLA

Encourages self and others to think about organisation's long term potential

Informs strategy development by identifying gaps in current delivery or evidence

Takes account of a wide range of public and partner needs to inform team's work

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

Organisational awareness

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

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

Uses understanding of differences between the GLA and its partners to improve working relationships

Helps others understand the GLA and the complex environment in which it operates

Translates changing political agendas into tangible actions

Considers the diverse needs of Londoners in formulating GLA objectives

Helps others understand how the media and external perceptions of the GLA influence work

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 3 Indicators of effective performance

Clarifies direction and adapts to changing priorities and uncertain times

Minimises the pressure of change for the directorate, lessening the impact for the team

Uses change as an opportunity to improve ways of working, encouraging others’ buy-in

Keeps staff motivated and engaged during times of change, promoting the benefits

Takes ownership for communicating change initiatives clearly, ensuring smooth

Responsible use of resources

… is taking personal responsibility for using and managing resources effectively, efficiently and sustainably.

Level 3 Indicators of effective performance

Allocates financial and people resources efficiently to maximise value for team and wider organisation

Thinks in terms of maximum efficiency when planning resource allocation

Implements good practice on efficient use of resources

Monitors financial performance and efficiency of own team, ensuring delivery of work within budget

Negotiates and manages contracts responsibly across a diverse supplier base

Additional Information

This role is based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL)

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 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.

We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.