The starting salary for this role is £40,296 per annum based on a 36-hour week. This is a 12-month fixed-term contract opportunity.
Do you enjoy variety and making sense of abstract challenges? Have a proven track record of supporting innovative strategies in dynamic environments? Get your energy from working together with internal and external stakeholders to progress shared goals?
We are excited to be hiring a new Strategy and Policy Officer to join our fantastic Corporate Strategy and Policy Team team. We're happy to talk about flexible working, including part-time and job share arrangements.
Your administrative base will be Woodhatch Place in Reigate although as a team we support hybrid working, which for us is a combination of working from home and across different Surrey offices. We tend to come into the office two days a week, with occasional requirements to attend other offices.
Rewards and Benefits
- 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
- 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About the Team
Here at Surrey, our ultimate ambition is that no-one is left behind. This means we help those Surrey residents who need us the most, and improving quality of life for everyone.
This is our guiding mission. As a council, we have undergone significant transformation in recent years. We have ambitious plans to continue transforming our services so we can deliver on our priority objectives to grow a sustainable economy, tackle health inequalities, empower our communities, and ensure a greener future.
The CSP Team is situated at the heart of the council and our mission is to lead thinking and stimulate collective action to enable delivery of the council's and residents' ambitions for Surrey. We add value and expertise around corporate strategy and strategic planning, policy analysis, design and development, strategic risk management and we champion equality, diversity and inclusion. We work in collaboration with colleagues across the Council, and manage many of the council's relationships and advocacy with external partners at a local, regional and national level.
Find out more about us on TikTok: Corporate Strategy and Policy recruitment video (tiktok.com).
About the Role
You will play a role in shaping the council's future; helping to set its strategic direction, and designing innovative new approaches to assist services in delivering on the council's ambitions more efficiently and effectively. You can expect to help develop key council strategies, and work in diverse policy areas to support recommendations, proposals and solutions to delivery problems. You will help to craft evidence-led policies and strategies that provide value for money and improve outcomes for residents and the community.
You will also research, identify and analyse emerging issues and requirements locally, regionally and nationally that will have an impact on the council, partners and residents. You will provide policy advice and briefings to the senior officer and political leadership; using a solid understanding of the local and national policy agenda, as well as perspective on potential implications for the council, partners and residents. In return, the work of the Corporate Strategy and Policy team promises plenty of autonomy, collaborative working, and personal stretch aligned to individual development goals. The post holder will grow new skills that engage strategy and policy at a local, regional and national level.
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:
- A creative problem-solver, ready to generate new ideas and insights
- An enthusiastic relationship builder
- A skilled communicator, with excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Able to carry out research and analyse data, presenting complex information and recommendations in a clear manner for both expert and non-specialised audiences
- Comfortable working at pace and with some uncertainty
To apply, alongside your CV, you will be asked to answer the following questions:
- What do you think the main strategic issues are facing Surrey County Council?
- Please share an example of where you have given advice to a senior stakeholder on a national or local issue. Your answer should demonstrate how you approached researching the issue and communicating your advice.
- Can you tell us about how you approach building trust and credibility with stakeholders?
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 8th July 2024 with interviews taking place week commencing 15th July 2024.
This post has been designated as a politically restricted post in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:
- The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
- The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.
We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.