12-month fixed term contract or secondment opportunity

About the role 

We are looking for a Senior Adviser to play a leading role in the LGA’s work on devolution, public service reform and local growth.

The new Government has placed devolution at the heart of its mission to kick start economic growth and has already taken steps to reset the relationship between central and local leaders. The recent publication of the English Devolution White Paper is a significant milestone with far-reaching implications. Within this context the LGA is keen to ensure councils and combined authorities can play their full part for the benefit of their communities and businesses.

This is a high-profile role 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 projects.

The successful candidate will join an organisation with a strong track record of leading the national debate, that works confidently with partners across government to strengthen policy development and isn’t afraid to drive the political narrative on behalf of local councils.

About you 

You will have the knowledge, experience and credibility 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. 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. 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. 

About us

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. 

To apply

We are in the process of transitioning our Applicant Tracking System. If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete this online application form which includes a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria for the role before the closing date and email this to Recruitment@local.gov.uk.

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.

Closing Date: 5pm, 14th of February 2025

Interview Date:          26th & 27th February 2025

Full Senior Adviser Job Description

At the LGA we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open competition, with appointment on merit. The LGA are proud to be awarded a “Disability Confident Leader”.  If you are require  an reasonable adjustment, which is a change to the format or conditions of the recruitment process to accommodate any disability-related needs you may have. Please contact us via Recruitment@local.gov.uk 

Our benefits

• 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.