The Role
Post: Governance Adviser
Grade: TMG C (approximately £300 per day)
Reports to: Head of Governance (TMG C) and General Counsel (TMG A)
Staff directly responsible for: N/A
3 to 6-month period part time or full time, starting immediately
Background
The London Fire Commissioner has an ambitious transformation agenda to change the culture and behaviours of the Brigade and to improve the effectively delivery of the various action plans arising from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services and the Transformation Delivery Plan. These objectives require a governance structure which provides effective and efficient decision making and corporate oversight and assurance. This advisory role will provide additional support and professional advice to the organisation and support to General Counsel and the Head of Governance in delivering the required changes to the Board and decision-making structures, agendas and roles.
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Head of Governance, the Governance Adviser is responsible for Deputising for the Head of Governance; on driving the development of the Brigade’s governance function and the changes needed to facilitate the London Fire Commissioner’s transformation agenda; and supporting the development of the Governance Team.
Main Duties and Responsibilities Accountabilities:
- Ensuring that the Brigade operates, and is managed, within a best practice, sound, accountable and transparent governance framework
- Ensuring that governance processes work effectively meeting the requirements of political leaders, managers and operational services and that drives ad supports the transformation programme
- Leading the continued development of governance services to secure continuous improvement, value for money and operational excellence while maintaining best practice standards
- Ensuring the provision of constructive and authoritative governance advice to boards and teams
- Supporting the Monitoring Officer in the discharge of their statutory duties
Responsibilities
- Providing governance advice and support to all areas of the Brigade’s work, with particular focus on delivering change
- Ensuring that the Brigade’s governance is supported by effective and agile policies and procedures supporting a transforming organisation
- Providing professional leadership for staff of the Governance Team
- Acting as a catalyst for change, identifying opportunities for the continuous improvement and streamlining of services to simplify processes, improve quality and ensure a positive customer experience
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
- Governance and leadership in a large and complex organisation
- The management and development of in-house governance services
- The policy and statutory framework within which public authorities operate
- Change management
- Developing staff
- Advising constructively on complex governance issues
- Working effectively within a politically sensitive environment
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Self-starting and independent whilst being able to work collaboratively
- Strong analytical and critical reasoning skills
- Project management skills
- Ability to cope with differing views/opinions and ongoing change
- Strong IT skills in the area of governance processes
Personal style and behaviour
- Creative, innovative, leads by example, professional and inspiring
- Demonstrates personal insight into their actions, experience and behaviours that illustrate awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity and inclusion
- Personally credible with a professional demeanour that generates trust and confidence
- Leads by example and possesses a high degree of integrity
- Assured and assertive with mature judgement
- Strong understanding of and able to demonstrate commitment to diversity, inclusion and togetherness
Assessment Overview
Application by way of up to date CV and letter (no more than three sides of A4) which addresses the Skills, Knowledge and Experience and Personal style and behaviour required for this role as set out above.
Any enquiries please contact Kathryn Robinson, General Counsel for the London Fire Commissioner, at kathryn.robinson@london-fire.gov.uk
Application closing date: midnight 28th April 2021
Interviews; 30th April 2021 in the morning
Additional Information
Please ensure you give yourself enough time to complete and submit your application. Late or un-submitted applications will not be accepted.
Please note any correspondence received from us will be via e-mail and sent to the address you provide on your application form.
Benefits of working for LFB
• Generous holiday entitlement plus bank holidays
• Flexible working including job share
• Welfare Scheme
• Use of Brigade Medical Adviser/physios
• Season ticket loans
• Equality Support Groups
• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.
In line with the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) employment checks will be completed by successful candidates, which will include a basic criminal records check. Successful candidate will be required to declare any convictions for offences which are not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and any offer of employment is subject to the LFC receiving a criminal records disclosure which it considers satisfactory. Successful candidates should apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to get a copy of their criminal record and share the original disclosure certificate with the LFC. The check will only show convictions that are not ‘spent’. It will cost the successful candidates £23 (current charge) and usually takes up to 14 days.