Insight, Policy, Strategy Lead
12 month opportunity
For external applicants this will be a fixed term contract
For internal BCC employees this will be a Secondment or a Fixed Term Contract
Grade 6 - £54,495- £64,811 Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Equal Pay Programme
Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review
Working 36.5 hours per week
What you’ll do
A 12-month secondment or fixed term contract opportunity has arisen within the Strategy, Insight and Governance directorate and in the Strategy and External Affairs division, to support and deliver policy and research activity. You will provide expertise and capacity to important policy functions and disciplines within the division, delivering and leading work across a complex and wide-ranging programme and drawing upon robust information and evidence as the basis for policy development.
The role focuses on research, and policy advice and development on the policy, political, partnership and stakeholder landscape within which the council operates. It will involve overseeing and preparing reports and briefings, analysing information, research, policy development and assessment, external affairs activity, engaging with partners, and contributing to collaborative activity with teams within the council and externally. You will head up the operational delivery of projects, driving high standards with an ethos of continual improvement and contribute to key performance indicators, and goals for the Strategy & External Affairs division with the Strategy, Insight and Governance Directorate and for the wider council.
We are looking for candidates with:
- Experience of working in a local government or related environment and awareness of the partnership landscape in which local authorities operate.
- Experience of leading the design and development of an insight, policy and strategy approach using quantitative and qualitative research to make evidence-based decisions on key strategic issues, including identification of major challenges and opportunities with a good understanding of longer-term direction and ‘bigger picture’ to develop the right strategic goals, objectives and indicators.
- Experience of communicating insights and results of data analyses through written reports, dashboards and presentations alongside experience of policy analysis and research on policy options and communicating these and developing solutions and engagement with partners.
- Experience of horizon scanning and forward planning on policy and external affairs, developing external affairs strategies, and overseeing and organising events such as roundtables, panels, and launch events.
- Ability to use ICT and digital tools to a good standard e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook etc
- Ability to work independently using your own initiative, as part of a multi-disciplinary team and within a matrix management structure and with partners.
- Knowledge of how public sector organisations function, and the importance of statutory and non-statutory partnerships to local government, and the role of evidence, politics and public participation in policy development.
- Good diagnostic skills with the ability and evaluate multiple sources of evidence to create insight and recommend solutions with clear and creative thinking.
- Ability to manage and take responsibility for own workloads, handle multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels, orally and in writing, and put across complex ideas to a range of audiences and advise and guide colleagues.
- Good interpersonal skills, knowledge of relationship management, policy and political awareness including working with elected representatives, and an aptitude to work across organisational boundaries.
- Promote the council’s core values and equal opportunities and supporting other colleagues to act as role models
To Apply
Please upload your up-to-date CV via the attachments part of your application, this is required for shortlisting. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached.
Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.
We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.
For any informal enquires please contact the Resourcing Team <Resourcing@birmingham.gov.uk>
Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.
Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.
Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You can view our Corporate Safeguarding Policy | Birmingham City Council here.
Job Description and Person Specification
Insight, Policy & Strategy Lead JDPS.pdf
