Research Analyst

The London Assembly scrutinises the Mayor's activities by questioning the Mayor about their decisions and investigates issues of importance to London. The Secretariat works for the Assembly to support its activities.

About the team: The Scrutiny and Investigation team works with Assembly Members to deliver their scrutiny priorities, providing advice and briefing, engaging with stakeholders and producing Assembly outputs. This role is based in the Research Unit, within Scrutiny and Investigation. The Research Unit provides a specialised research and analysis service, as well as publishing background papers on London government and key policy issues.

In the role of Research Analyst, you will be a source of expert advice and support for the Assembly and its staff. You will be responsible for leading on a wide range of research and analytical tasks, which may include:

• designing surveys
• analysing complex datasets
• producing visualisations for Assembly reports
• conducting literature reviews
• researching policy issues
• drafting papers for publication

You will also be contributing to the design and delivery of the Assembly’s scrutiny work programme, with potential to be involved in briefing Assembly Members and leading scrutiny projects. You will be assigned to two or three project teams that support a specific committee, focusing on issues such as transport, policing and crime, the environment and housing, although work flexibly across all committees as required.

What your day will look like: There is no typical day in the Research Unit as the work we do is highly varied. On any given day you might be:

• Meeting with Senior Policy Advisers to discuss the research input needed for a new investigation
• Gathering data from a range of sources to produce analysis and visualisations for briefings and reports
• Designing a survey to help build the evidence base for an investigation
• Delving into the background of a complex policy issue and writing a paper for Assembly Members and Londoners
• Monitoring financial and performance data from across the GLA Group
• Meeting with key contacts in the research community to exchange ideas and expertise
• Delivering a presentation with new research and analysis, for Secretariat colleagues or Assembly Members

Skills, knowledge and experience: To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Technical skills and experience: Knowledge and understanding of political, policy and governance issues relating to London and the UK more widely. Experience working on data research, monitoring and visualisation projects, and effectively delivering outcomes on these in a comparable work environment. Degree or equivalent experience.
• Research and Analysis: gathering intelligence (information, opinion and data) from varied sources, making sense of it, testing its validity and drawing conclusions that can lead to practical benefits.
• Planning and Organising: thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.
• Communicating and Influencing: presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate and engage with us.

Equality, diversity and inclusion: 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.

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.

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening. The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff.