Senior Policy Development Officer WCC621116

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View more categories View less categories Sector: Public Sector Role: Senior Executive Contract Type: Fixed term Hours: Part Time

Job Details:

• Salary range: £54,684 - £57,726 per annum
• Work location: Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, Westminster, SW1E 6QP
• Hours per week: 36
• Contract type: Temporary up to 12 months
• Politically Restricted post: Yes
• Closing date: 30 May 2025
• Interview date: Week commencing 9 June 2025

About Us:

Corporate Services in Westminster City Council is a world of extraordinary stories, where passionate and expert professionals go above and beyond for their colleagues every day.

Daphne, our champion for people with learning difficulties, is a real beacon. She advocates for colleagues with these difficulties, teaches managers how to identify and understand the conditions, and supports their teams at work. Daphne's empathy and expertise, combined with her personal experience managing dyslexia and dyspraxia, provide her with unique insight that benefits our people and residents daily.

Please view the extraordinary story of Daphne's Insight here.

The Role:

As a Senior Policy Development Officer, you will contribute to delivering for residents and businesses across Westminster. You will join as maternity cover, managing portfolio areas with leadership opportunities, and identifying challenges requiring joined-up thinking. Your work will involve horizon scanning, working with subject matter experts, and understanding the policy landscape, including issues like rough sleeping and temporary accommodation.

You will collaborate with the Media Team to promote policy positions, respond to queries, and strengthen stakeholder relationships. You will create policy delivery plans, advise on legislative processes, and understand parliamentary and Whitehall relationships. Additionally, you will maintain strategic briefing notes for Councillors, update public policy priorities, and develop policy positions. Mentoring colleagues and supporting reactive issue handling will also be part of your responsibilities.

Please refer to the Job Description for more information.

About You:

You are an open, collaborative leader with experience in cross-cutting policy, especially impacting front-line services. You understand the challenges of these issues and can develop strong relationships with practitioners. You can work effectively with senior officers and elected members, engaging them on challenging topics through briefings and meetings. Knowledge of national and local politics, government decision-making, civil service, and ministerial relationships is essential.

You are a motivated multi-tasker with excellent writing skills and a commitment to due process. You understand local government levels and the political landscape, including devolution and HMG priorities. Your interpersonal skills enable you to build diverse relationships and analyze data for public affairs messaging. You suggest creative solutions, work well under pressure, and are adaptable and resilient. A commitment to equity and diversity principles is also required.

Westminster City Council supports Care Leavers and encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, especially from the Global Majority, utilizing positive action provisions of the Equality Act 2010 where applicable.

We reserve the right to close or extend the vacancy early depending on applicant volume.

What We Offer:

Westminster is a vibrant place with over 200,000 residents, 50,000+ businesses, and a diverse workforce. Our strategy aims for a Fairer Westminster, placing communities at the heart of decision-making, fostering inclusivity, and celebrating diversity.

We are committed to an inclusive workplace, promoting equality, diversity, wellbeing, and flexible working patterns. We are a Disability Confident Employer, guaranteeing interviews for disabled applicants meeting the essential criteria and providing reasonable adjustments.

Our workforce reflects the communities we serve, and we aim to increase diversity through positive action.

Extraordinary Stories of Our Colleagues:

At Westminster City Council, our people lead with passion. Daphne advocates for colleagues with learning difficulties, while Shofa, inspired by her brother's mental health struggles, created the Westminster Youth Market to empower young entrepreneurs. Their stories exemplify our commitment to supporting and valuing our staff.