Policy and Programme Advisor

Job Introduction

The starting salary for this position is £41,127 per annum based on a 36-hour working week.

This role is open to remote working meaning you aren't required in the office 5 days a week. We’re less about you driving to work and more about us collectively driving down our carbon footprint. We care about how you work rather than where you work; the people rather than the postcode. In support of our people and our greener futures strategies, we’d welcome a conversation with the successful candidate on what remote working may look like for you.

About Us

Surrey County Council is making its most significant ever investment in supporting Surrey’s economy. As the largest economy outside of London and set against the backdrop of one of the most challenging and complex economic horizons in recent times, Surrey’s new Economy and Growth Team is supporting the Council in its ambitions to focus on the whole Surrey economy and to provide a resilient and ambitious economic environment through unprecedented economic challenges. This work has already started with the development of Surrey’s 2030 Economic Strategy which establishes a positive strategic context for growth, sets out the opportunity to both retain and secure additional investment in the county and focuses on how we will create inclusive, vibrant centres within the county - achieving SCC’s Corporate Objective to “grow a sustainable economy so everyone can benefit”.

The One Surrey Growth Board Plan for Growth sets out how a focus on Surrey’s economic strengths can be enabled by sustainable, long-term planning of transport and digital infrastructure, creating communities of the future and investing in skills and innovation. Through targeted economic interventions linked to the delivery of high-quality place-based growth, Surrey aims to retain its position as an economic leader and continue to underpin the economic recovery of the UK.

We are seeking a high calibre Policy and Programme Advisor to join our Economy and Growth team. If you are proactive, organised and able to work on your own initiative - we want to hear from you!

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for a strong candidate who can work across the whole programme to anticipate need and help drive forward the team’s programme of work. You will need to use your own initiative to ensure actions are assigned and addressed, key milestones are achieved, and stakeholders are kept informed. The Policy and Programme Advisor is a key role for the team in holding an up-to-date understanding of the overall work programme, to generate updates for internal reporting, to support cross team working and ensuring work streams are progressed to deliver impact to Surrey residents and businesses.

You will need to be able to clearly communicate, in writing and verbally, with a range of senior officers and stakeholders, including representatives from the One Surrey Growth Board. The Policy and Programme Advisor should be eager to learn about new policy areas, to undertake research, to provide advice and produce briefing notes on specific topics.

We’re looking for someone with the following skills and experience/ interests (Please use these criteria in completing your application):

• Grasping new subject areas - being able to interpret complex information/policy areas and translate into summaries for senior officers
• Researching new policy areas and putting forward recommendations for practical application
• Planning, tracking milestones and monitoring performance for projects or programmes of work
• Working independently and meeting tight deadlines
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills
• Excellent written communication skills
• Line management or supervision experience
• Local government experience or other similar relevant experience

At Surrey, our values and behaviours are just as important as our skills and abilities. They shape who we are as an organisation. Find out more about the values we follow. 

For more information, please find the full job description below and refer to this before submitting your application. We also invite you to read our Life at Surrey handbook to see insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Additional Information

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 12/12/2022.

Interviews will take place on week commencing 19/12/2022.

Contact Details

For an informal discussion please contact Rhiannon Mort by e-mail at Rhiannon.Mort@surreycc.gov.uk.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Benefits

From flexible working to job sharing, we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance. You will benefit from 26 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service, a generous local government salary related pension, as well as the option to join our car lease scheme. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit MyBenefits for Surrey County Council staff.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.