Policy & Strategy Officer

We’re Lichfield District Council. A local authority in the Heart of England, providing vital services to 108,000 people. The district is a beautiful place to live, and work and boasts a historic city centre with an impressive cathedral and is just 15 miles north of Birmingham.

Our organisation is ambitious, innovative, and highly driven to be the best in all that we do. We want to further this growth potential in all key areas of the business by hiring great people. In return, we can build stronger foundations, provide quality services, and help support our company objectives longer term.

JOB PURPOSE

We are looking for a Policy & Strategy officer to join our Environment team. You will help develop and deliver policy and outcomes on carbon reduction, climate change and sustainability including the formulation, reviewing, and updating of a Carbon Reduction Plan for the Council and wider district to meet carbon zero aspirations.

A successful candidate will also be able to provide climate change expertise and work to promote awareness of Climate Change issues and secure actions to contribute to strategic goals.

The Post is Career graded, Bands G, H, I

Salary range, depending on experience: £29,777 - £40,221, plus great benefits, private healthcare, local government pension and free on-site parking.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the development and implementation of various plans, strategies, and related action plans, monitoring their overall delivery and reporting on implementation to elected members, the Council’s leadership team and external partners.
• Work closely with colleagues in the Policy and Strategy Service to ensure insight, data and analysis informs policy and strategy development producing sound and robust decision making based on local needs and issues.
• Represent the District Council at meetings, inquiries, hearings, other consultation, and engagement meetings and on external working parties held in connection with the work of the policy and strategy service.
• Support work on the development and delivery of various policy initiatives taking the lead and providing strategic input in the specialist policy area.
• Positively contribute to wider policy development working collaboratively across the whole organisation and with external partners.
• Prepare reports in connection with the work of the service, including the Council’s response to national government and regional policy reforms and proposals, and to present such reports to a variety of audiences as appropriate.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field.
• At least 2 years’ experience within a local government or related policy environment requiring an understanding and interpretation of strategic policy making and implementation.
• Knowledge of local government policy and strategy development and implementation.
• Experience of developing and implementing policies and strategies that have delivered positive outcomes for either a community or customers in a large complex organisation.
• Experience of managing and delivering projects from planning to implementation and evaluation.
• Good interpersonal, communication and presentation skills with the ability to establish effective working relationships with staff, partners, and stakeholders at all levels.
• Good report writing skills and an ability to write effective strategies, policies, and procedures.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS

• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to ensure targets and deadlines are met.
• A positive and proactive attitude.
• Ability to adapt quickly.
• Attention to detail.
• Full driving license and access to car.

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR US

• Friendly and supportive environment underpinned by our values.
• Hybrid working including flexibility around working patterns.
• Local government pension. With the scheme you get Life cover – 3 times your salary as a lump sum if you die in service.
• Generous annual leave.
• Private Healthcare
• Discounted membership to our two leisure centres
• Offices opposite Lichfield Train Station
• Private health insurance on completion of probationary period
• Local government pension
• Free onsite Parking
• Fantastic modern offices with complementary refreshments.

NOTE:

All offers of employment are conditional offer subject to satisfactory clearances which include:-

• Two satisfactory references covering the last 3 years of employment.
• Evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom; and
• Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if applicable.

WHAT NEXT?

To be considered for this exciting new opportunity, please send your CV and Supporting statement to Hannah.fox@lwmts.co.uk.

If you need any support with completing your application, or any part of the recruitment process, please contact hannah.fox@lwmts.co.uk so that we can discuss reasonable adjustments.

We look forward to hearing from you.