Advisers

Please note: Office-based staff are required to work in the LGA's London office two days per week as a minimum, subject to business need. For home-based staff, some occasional travel to London and wider afield is likely required., We are looking to recruit two Senior Advisers, one to play a leading role in the LGA's work on devolution, public service reform and local growth and the other to lead our work around local democracy, including elections, councillor standards and abuse in public life, as well as other ad hoc areas related to democratic decision-making and local representation. As priorities change within the policy team, you may be required to pivot according to political priority and business need., If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online application, and include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria for the role before the closing date.
For the purposes of shortlisting, we are specifically assessing candidates against the following criteria:
1. Lead and work as part of a team, building a culture of flexible and collaborative team working to ensure that the LGA meets its business objectives and responds effectively to new or changing requirements.
2. Commission/undertake research, horizon scanning and intelligence gathering to establish a strong evidence base that informs and influences the policy agenda; ensure that the findings are shared across the LGA.
3. Prepare reports, policy papers and briefings for lead LGA Members and managers on sensitive and complex issues relating to the LGA's position on policy issues; contribute to external briefings, publicity and marketing materials on behalf of the LGA.
4. Lead the delivery of assigned projects and programmes within resource and budget allocations that deliver the LGA's business plan and help councils meet their challenges and priority outcomes
5. Develop networks and partnerships that are of value to the LGA and work to maintain a positive reputation for the LGA with local authorities, central government, partners and stakeholders.
6. Represent the LGA with local government Members, government officials, Ministers, Parliamentarians and other interested parties at national level (and European as necessary) to promote the reputation of the LGA and the sector, to influence and pursue the policy and improvement agenda and to achieve beneficial outcomes for councils.

The Government has placed devolution at the heart of its mission to kick start economic growth, reform public services and reset the relationship between central and local leaders. The passing of English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act is a significant milestone with far-reaching implications. Within this context the LGA is keen to ensure councils across England can take full advantage of the powers, resources and partnerships they need to build prosperity and deliver enduring public services for their communities and businesses ., You will have the knowledge, experience and gravitas to engage at a senior level with government and organisations from across the public, private and voluntary sectors. You will be able to take a strategic, forward-looking approach and will have the political awareness to lead the development of effective relationships with the LGA's political groups as well as with external partners and national government.
You will also have the confidence and credibility, combined with programme management and delivery skills, to lead programmes of work across a policy portfolio. You will have a can-do, results-focussed outlook and will be confident in making strategic judgements about priorities and resources, in order to deliver on time and in budget.
The person to whom we offer this post will be an excellent communicator, problem solver and team leader, as well as having the ability for self-directed research and independent work. You will have experience using a range of communication tools, including social media, in a politically sensitive environment, and be able to build strong partnerships both internally and externally to deliver against common goals. Your ability to grasp issues quickly and adapt to a rapidly shifting context will make you stand out. While not essential, experience of working in local government or a similar environment is desirable.
You must have the right to work in the UK, the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.

The Local Government Association (LGA) is the national membership body for local authorities. We are a politically led, cross-party organisation that works on behalf of councils to ensure local government has a strong, credible voice with national government. We influence and set the political agenda on the issues that matter to councils to help them deliver local solutions to national problems. We also provide councils with the tools and resources to respond to challenges present and emerging, and support improvement across the sector., Local democracy is a central tenet of local government, but seven in ten councillors experience abuse and intimidation in their elected role, and this can deter people from running for office or remaining in local government. The LGA holds a unique position representing councils from across the country and working with other UK nations to ensure that local government is able to cultivate safe, ethical and healthy local democracy, tackling key issues such as abuse and intimidation of councillors and officers and promoting high standards of councillor conduct and democratic participation. The Government is also planning significant electoral reforms through the Representation of the People Bill that will impact candidates, voters and local authorities delivering elections; the LGA provides a unified voice ensuring councils' concerns about implementation are taken into consideration.
This role leads our Civility in Public Life Programme and elections work alongside other cross-cutting programmes, involves engaging with the LGA's Political Group Offices and a wide range of external stakeholders including government departments and agencies and organisations representing legal, electoral and monitoring officers in councils, and it also acts as line manager for an Adviser focusing on Voluntary and Community Sector, Democracy and Equalities policy.
These are high-profile roles working within the LGA's Policy and Strategy Directorate, which will be responsible for directly managing a small team as well as leading work across the LGA on a variety of cross-cutting programmes.
The successful candidates will join an organisation with a strong track record of leading the national debate, that works confidently with partners across government to lead policy development and isn't afraid to drive the political narrative on behalf of local councils.
The position is required to support immediate delivery needs
The organisation is consulting on its operating model
The grade and responsibilities are subject to confirmation, LGA annual leave entitlement is 29 days, rising to 31 days after three years' service and to 33 days after five years' service, plus all UK public holidays (pro rata for fixed term and part time contracts)
Flexible & agile working - office-based staff are required to work in the LGA's London office two days per week as a minimum, subject to business need and this may vary significantly between different roles and from week to week.
Future development - face-to-face and virtual courses are scheduled in line with developmental goals
The LGA offers 24/7 access to a free, confidential employee assistance programme managed by Health Assured. This service is also available for Dependants.
Family friendly policies
For more of LGA's benefits and working with us, please view our webpage https://www.local.gov.uk/benefits-and-working-lga
Our values & behaviours
Our Values and Behaviours are there to give us an understanding of who we are as an organisation and who we want to be. They are a framework to help us understand:
how we work with each other
how we work with our members and stakeholders
our expectations for ourselves and each other
Our values are:
Inclusive- We ensure that our work is inclusive of all voices.
Ambitious- We are ambitious for councils and their communities and are committed to striving for excellence in all that we do to support our colleagues, our membership and the sector to deliver the best possible outcomes.
Collaborative -We bring together the expertise and skills needed, working as one team.