Principal Policy Officer – Equalities in London

Communities & 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.

The Communities Team works with communities, civil society organisations, funders and public sector partners to help make London a fairer, more connected and inclusive city. We develop and deliver programmes that support communities to thrive, strengthen civil society and increase opportunities for Londoners to participate in their communities.

You’ll join a team working across a varied portfolio, with opportunities to contribute to policy development, programme delivery and partnership work. The team works closely with colleagues across the GLA and with organisations across London, so you’ll have the opportunity to build a wide network and see how your work contributes to the Mayor’s priorities.

We are looking for an exceptional, confident and passionate equality policy expert to lead a small team and drive forward the Mayor’s priorities for tackling structural inequalities across London. As Principal Policy Officer for Equalities, you will support the Head of Communities and the Senior Manager for Engagement, Insight and Equalities in delivering the Mayor’s priorities to tackle structural inequalities and address the inequalities experienced by Londoners. This will include supporting the delivery of the Mayor’s Reducing Inequalities Mandate and leading projects and initiatives that improve outcomes for people with protected characteristics.

A key aspect of the role will be to lead the development and delivery of approaches, resources and tools that enable the GLA to meet its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010, including the Public Sector Equality Duty and other relevant legislation. This will involve providing expert advice and guidance to teams across the organisation, helping them to understand how their work can better address inequalities and ensure that equality considerations are embedded in policy development, decision‑making and delivery.

The postholder will manage a small team and also provide strategic advice and expertise on equalities issues affecting Londoners to the Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, other members of the Mayor’s Office and the GLA’s Corporate Management Team. Through this work, the role will help ensure that the GLA is equipped to respond effectively to the experiences and needs of London’s diverse communities and make meaningful progress towards tackling structural inequalities.

What your day will look like:

• Contribute to setting the strategic direction of the GLA’s work on structural inequalities, including identifying, developing and managing a portfolio of policy and programme activity to advance the Mayor’s priorities.
• Lead the development of statutory and non‑statutory strategies and policies, including undertaking and overseeing research, analysis, option appraisals and consultation.
• Provide expert advice on equalities legislation and its application to GLA policies and programmes.
• Oversee, coordinate and quality assure expert advice, briefings and reports for the Mayor, Deputy Mayors and senior officers on structural inequalities, including responding to emerging issues and external developments.
• Maintain an up‑to‑date understanding of relevant legislative, policy and social developments, identifying opportunities and risks that may affect the Mayor’s priorities.
• Work collaboratively across the GLA and wider GLA Group, and build strong relationships with partners across the public, private, voluntary and community sectors to ensure that equality considerations are embedded in relevant policies, programmes and projects, and inform their development and delivery.
• Lead and contribute to communications on the Mayor’s policies and priorities relating to structural inequalities, representing the GLA at meetings, seminars and conferences and through a range of media.
• Contribute to corporate and unit‑level planning and performance management, promoting equality of opportunity and recognising the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities.

Skills, knowledge and experience:

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

• Professional experience, expertise and knowledge of social policy, in particular within a London context. Experience of working in a role or on projects focused on equalities will be advantageous.
• Expert knowledge of relevant equalities legislation and its role within the administration of public bodies.
• Direct experience of, or the ability to quickly develop expertise and understanding of, issues relevant to specific groups sharing protected characteristics.
• A track record of managing multiple projects successfully and delivering results on target and within budget.
• Experience and understanding of policy development processes within a complex political environment, including first rate analytical skills, the ability to think strategically and long term, and with an eye on how policy will be implemented in practice.
• Excellent knowledge of the stakeholders and relationships that are key to the development and delivery of social policy in London.

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.

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.