Fixed-term until 31 March 2025About usThe Local Government Association (LGA) is the national membership body for local authorities. We work on behalf of our member councils to support, promote and improve local government.We are a politically led, cross-party organisation that works on behalf of councils to ensure local government has a strong, credible voice with national government. We influence and set the political agenda on the issues that matter to councils to help them deliver local solutions to national problems.We also provide councils with the tools and resources to respond to challenges present and emerging, and support improvement across the sector.Planning Advisory ServiceWe are recruiting for several fixed term opportunities until 31 March 2025 with extension possible but not guaranteed. Secondments, and part-time secondments, are very welcome for these roles.About Planning Advisory ServiceThe Local Government Association, working in partnership with Defra, Natural England and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) is helping councils to improve their planning services. The Planning Advisory Service (PAS) delivers help, advice and training to officers and councillors across England that is designed to help them understand and respond to the Government's reform agenda.PAS has been operating since 2004 and has a well-established reputation for the quality of its work. We have been growing an important environmental planning agenda focused on , and protected site strategies.We are a majority home-working team but some of us are based at our office in Westminster. Our work can require regular visits to regions and councils that will sometimes require staying away from home. In line with our funding this role is offered as a fixed term post until 31st March 2025 although secondments and part-time workers are very welcome where appropriate.About the roleThe Principal Consultants are the lead practitioners for PAS projects. You must bring expertise in planning within the local government sector, as well as the environmental planning and reform agenda. You will also be keen to broaden your knowledge and experience as you support the PAS team often working on the newest areas of planning. Experienced, credible and confident you will have excellent analytical, project and communication skills.All candidates will benefit from technical expertise in planning and BNG alongside deeper knowledge of either enforcement, DM or planning law. Applicants will need to be confident working with elected members and officers at all levels of local government. Critically, candidates will need to be creative, innovative, and really want to see the change that they will be helping Councils to deliver.You must have the right to work in the UK, the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.To applyIf you would like to be considered for the role please complete the online form and include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria for the role before the closing date.We are specifically assessing candidates against the following criteria: * In-depth knowledge of planning, the delivery of projects and infrastructure or environmental regulation with a degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline
Strong and varied record of achievement in planning services in local government
Sound political awareness and credibility to design and deliver change in complex environments
Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret performance and budget information
Highly developed written and oral skills with the ability to speak confidently in public and to present complex ideas in a clear and comprehensive way
Excellent project management skills, with the ability to design and deliver improvement projects to a demanding group of stakeholders
Closing Date: 5pm, Sunday 28th April Interview Date: Thursday 9th and Friday 10th May, interviews will be in personAt the LGA we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open competition, with appointment on merit. The LGA are proud to be awarded a “Disability Confident Leader”. If you are require an reasonable adjustment, which is a change to the format or conditions of the recruitment process to accommodate any disability-related needs you may have. Please contact us via HRandPayroll@local.gov.ukOur benefits
LGA annual leave entitlement is 29 days, rising to 31 days after three years' service and to 33 days after five years' service, plus all UK public holidays (pro rata for fixed term and part time contracts).*
Flexible & agile working - office-based staff are required to work in the LGA's London office two days per week as a minimum, subject to business need and this may vary significantly between different roles and from week to week.
Future development - face-to-face and virtual courses are scheduled in line with developmental goals
The LGA offers 24/7 access to a free, confidential employee assistance programme managed by Health Assured. This service is also available for Dependants.
Family friendly policies
For more of LGA's benefits and working with us, please view our webpage https://www.local.gov.uk/benefits-and-working-lgaOur values & behavioursOur Values and Behaviours are there to give us an understanding of who we are as an organisation and who we want to be. They are a framework to help us understand:
how we work with each other
how we work with our members and stakeholders
our expectations for ourselves and each other
Our values are:Inclusive - We ensure that our work is inclusive of all voices.Ambitious - We are ambitious for councils and their communities and are committed to striving for excellence in all that we do to support our colleagues, our membership and the sector to deliver the best possible outcomes.Collaborative - We bring together the expertise and skills needed, working as one team.
