Senior Strategy Adviser, Chelmsford

This is a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for 12 months.

This role will be filled on a hybrid basis. This means you can work remotely part of the working week with an expectation to attend the office in Chelmsford at least 1 day per week. Any journeys to the office would be at your own expense. More specific details about this can be discussed at the interview stage should you be invited.

Essex County Council is on an exciting journey. We are part of the Government's Devolution Priority Programme and are in the process of creating a new Mayoral Combined County Authority for Greater Essex with the first mayoral elections due in May 2026. Alongside this, we are developing proposals for Local Government Re-organisation in Essex, with businesses cases being submitted in September 2025 and new unitary councils due to be established in 2027/28. These reforms will set the framework for local government in Essex for decades to come and will lead to better outcomes, services and value for money for our residents.

This role is a temporary 12-month role that will be part of the Policy Unit team working on these issues as we move into the planning and implementation phase of this exciting and challenging programme.

Accountabilities

• Responsible for providing strategy and policy advice to ensure the Council is provided with detailed information in regard to how strategies have been planned and developed in order to make informed decisions.
• Responsible for supporting the development of corporate planning activity to ensure the development of robust strategies which deliver agreed outcomes.
• Responsible for demonstrating agility and flexibility in developing and agreement of clear strategies and policies relating to ECC's role at a corporate level against agreed targets and objectives.
• Responsible for developing relationships with key partnerships ensuring this maximises the opportunity to bring intelligence and insight to ECC and making recommendations as to future partnership opportunities.
• Responsible for highlighting and understanding the implications of local and national guidance and how it relates to commissioning and delivery, and links to corporate policy and strategy.
• Contributes to using quantitative and qualitative data including demographic and performance information to identify specific challenges and ensure presentation of proposed policy solutions are robust.
• Acts to provide high quality advice on policy and strategy to support key stakeholders using a range of media and ensuring able to meets the demands of a broad and diverse range of audiences.
• Responsible for developing a broad perspective and understanding of the external policy landscape in order to interpret proposed changes and consider the impact on ECC.
• Works collaboratively to develop links to engage with the latest thinking in business, academia and think tanks and ensure able to challenge Council members on the robustness of current policies and practices.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to degree level or equivalent by experience together with evidence of continuing professional development in relevant professional area, such as, knowledge of democratic processes.
• Experience of policy development either in a think tank, civil service, local government or other similar environment.
• Exemplary written and communication skills, able to deliver within required deadlines alongside significant experience of planning and reviewing the delivery of a range of services and operating project management skills.
• Understands the components of the policy and strategy making process and the relationships that exist between ECC and partners at all levels of government.
• Evidence based approach to discern options and trends, and able to translate complexity into simple conclusions to inform practical commissioning.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience in core policy areas such as specific people, place or corporate themed policy work, local government policy, technical and operational skills, analytical skills, relationship building, organisational effectiveness.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government's devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email.