London Assembly and secretariat

The London Assembly scrutinises the Mayor's activities by questioning the Mayor about their decisions. The Assembly also investigates issues of importance to London. 

There are 25 Assembly Members, elected every four years at the same time as the Mayor. The Secretariat works for the Assembly to support its activities. The 
Communications Team support service to promote the work of the Assembly through press office, social media, publicity and events.

About the Scrutiny and Investigation team

The Scrutiny and Investigation team works with Assembly Members to deliver their scrutiny priorities, providing advice and briefing, engaging with stakeholders and producing Assembly outputs. 

This role is based in the Research Unit, within Scrutiny and Investigation. The Research Unit provides a specialised research and analysis service, as well as publishing background papers on London government and key policy issues.

About the role 

In the role of Research Analyst, you will be a source of expert advice and support for the Assembly and its staff. You will be responsible for leading on a wide range of research and analytical tasks, which may include:
•    designing surveys
•    analysing complex datasets
•    producing visualisations for Assembly reports
•    conducting literature reviews
•    researching policy issues
•    drafting papers for publication

You will also be contributing to the design and delivery of the Assembly’s scrutiny work programme, with potential to be involved in briefing Assembly Members and leading scrutiny projects. You will be assigned to two or three project teams that support a specific committee, focusing on issues such as transport, policing and crime, the environment and housing, although work flexibly across all committees as required.

This job is ‘politically restricted’ under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. 

This role is based at City Hall, in the Royal Docks (Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE) 

What your day will look like

There is no typical day in the Research Unit as the work we do is highly varied. On any given day you might be:

•    Meeting with Senior Policy Advisers to discuss the research input needed for a new investigation
•    Gathering data from a range of sources to produce analysis and visualisations for briefings and reports
•    Designing a survey to help build the evidence base for an investigation
•    Delving into the background of a complex policy issue and writing a paper for Assembly Members and Londoners 
•    Monitoring financial and performance data from across the GLA Group
•    Meeting with key contacts in the research community to exchange ideas and expertise
•    Delivering a presentation with new research and analysis, for Secretariat colleagues or Assembly Members

Skills, knowledge and experience 

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

Skills and experience

•    Knowledge and understanding of political, policy and governance issues relating to London and the UK more widely.
•    Experience working on data research, monitoring and visualisation projects, and effectively delivering outcomes on these in a comparable work environment.
•    Degree or equivalent experience.

Behavioural competencies 

•    RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS: gathering intelligence (information, opinion and data) from varied sources, making sense of it, testing its validity and drawing conclusions that can lead to practical benefits.
•    PLANNING AND ORGANISING: thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.
•    COMMUNICATING AND INFLUENCING: presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate and engage with us.