Job Title Assistant Director, Policy, Intelligence and Analysis (incorporating Programme Director, Future Shape of the Council) Barnet Band and scale range 241-244 Reports to Director of Strategy (and Future Shape programme board) Service area Strategy Number of staff responsible 11 for Budget responsibility ( ) 4,000,000 Purpose of Job: As the senior policy specialist in the Authority, play a key role in supporting the Leader, Members, the Chief Executive, Director of Strategy, Council Directors Group, and other senior managers in analysing strategic intelligence and setting policy direction for London Borough of Barnet. This post has a key role in ensuring that policy development combines current evidence, futures analysis and the latest academic and policy thinking and, in turn, directly impacts on service delivery. The post holder therefore will have a key role in developing and maintaining productive relationships with senior staff in the council and our partners and at regional, national and international levels. This post will provide leadership of the Future Shape of the Council programme, ensuring that it develops in line with Council policy and delivers the changes required. Lead the activity in three critical and related areas of work: Strategic policy development deliver forward-thinking, innovative policies in response to local, national and international stimuli and in more blue-sky arena. Strategic business intelligence establish a high quality strategic evidence base for informed policy making and prioritisation in public service across the borough, delivered alongside partner bodies and staff in directorates. Leadership of the Future Shape of the Council programme Key accountabilities: Overall the post holder will have a lead accountability and responsibility for specific priority areas as agreed with the Director of Strategy and Chief Executive
The initial responsibility as head of profession is to develop an excellent strategic policy and intelligence unit that will ensure that the borough s public services of the future will be driven by a high quality core of intelligence-led policy analysis and thinking. It is then to lead on a number of specific policies and generate expert advice, while also playing a lead role alongside the Director of Strategy and Assistant Director of Strategic Change in establishing the Council s new strategic core team and the strategic role for the Council. Head of Profession Lead strategic policy development and expand the use and influence of high quality business intelligence within the council and across partners and, through these, play a key part in the success of our continuing change agenda Act as head of profession for strategic intelligence and policy, managing and developing professional links and effective working relationships with other policy and business intelligence teams across Directorates as well as other councils, Council partners, central government, senior officers and Members, in order to influence policy development and integration Provide policy advice to the Leader and Chief Executive on any issue which could influence future policy, strategy or operation, including advice on politically sensitive and confidential matters. Influence new developments in central government policy on behalf of the Authority so as to promote Barnet as an innovative and forward thinking council. Embed high quality research and business intelligence as a core activity of the future Council and with partners and providers in order to maximise the amount and quality of data being analysed Programme direction, Future Shape of the Council Lead the implementation of the Future Shape of the Council programme, in particular the development of the Council s and partners understanding of the key challenges facing the borough and the priority areas of activity for public service in Barnet. Working through the Programme Manager, provide overall leadership of the various workstreams and projects of Future Shape implementation to ensure that relevant organisational development, procurement and service development activities are policy-led and focused on the key priorities of the Council Build cross-organisation and cross-partner relationships to support the delivery of the preferred future shape option for change. Through active prioritisation and negotiation, create space and identify resources to effectively deliver the programme
Ensure the programme drives changes that are effectively integrated into the business Policy leadership Lead on the development and implementation of key policies and strategies, so as to ensure that public services are delivered effectively across the council and, where relevant, partner bodies..lead policy and business intelligence input to complex, council-wide projects, which have a significant impact on the authority s business and budget and achievement of its priorities. Develop and promote the council s policy and business intelligence work to develop a reputation for Barnet as a centre of policy and service innovation and creativity. Positively influence the attitudes and behaviour of key external partners (e.g. civil servants, politicians, strategic and service delivery partners) in order to maximise opportunities for the London Borough of Barnet. Team start up, directorate leadership, and organisation development Establish the new Policy, Intelligence and Analysis team as a hub for the council, at the centre of a network of future policy and intelligence work for public service in the borough. In doing this, the post holder should model the collaborative approach to policy development that is central to the council s future success. Share responsibility with the Director of Strategy and Assistant Director of Strategic Change for leading the establishment of the new strategic hub, and contribute to the development of the new networked and project-based model of working. Leadership and management Lead, manage and communicate with staff in the team, promoting staff development and team work Undertake appraisals and regular one-to-one meetings with staff, setting team and individual performance objectives linked to those of the Strategic Change and Communications teams Develop and deliver on team plans, work to and within a given budget and manage team risks
Develop and maintain communication at all levels across the council in order to facilitate the smooth and effective development and use of policy and business intelligence Lead discussions with and advise partners on behalf of Barnet at local, regional and national levels regarding business intelligence and policy & equalities related matters in order to promote Barnet s profile and to secure support for the development and implementation of strategies and policies Change and improvement Provide overall leadership of the implementation of the Future Shape of the Council programme, working through the Programme Manager and relevant project managers to ensure the programme drives changes that are effectively integrated into the business Lead the development and review of strategies which respond to the needs of the council and the people Barnet Identify areas for change and improvement in policy and business intelligence culture in the council and partners and work with colleagues in the Strategic Change and Organisational Development teams, as well as service based colleagues to drive up standards Ensure the Authority has staff and stakeholders skilled up to develop and implement policy changes, as well as business intelligence, providing opportunities to share good practice and feed into new initiatives Maintain an overview of projects within the Policy, Research and Intelligence area, as well as council wide or service lead projects which have a dependency on this area Engage all stakeholders when proposing or implementing change Through leadership, advice, expertise and challenge, ensure that equalities considerations are embedded in all change management initiatives and major projects Flexibility Work with a degree of flexibility required to perform work not specifically referred to above although falling within scope of the post at the appropriate grade Able to attend evening meetings as well as events external to Barnet, for the improvement of Barnet, which, occasionally, may require an overnight stay Council s Commitment to Equalities Deliver on the council s commitment to equality of opportunity both in the provision of services and as an employer. Promote equality in the work place and in the services the council delivers, including as a community leader Qualifications required Type Professional qualifications/memberships Level required Evidence of Continuing Professional
Education Development- Essential A professional or management qualification-desirable Degree level or equivalent-desirable Knowledge, skills and experience Senior level management in a large complex organisation. Strong and credible relationships with leading people in other councils, central government, think tanks, academia, private and voluntary sectors. Understanding of the major business requirements and complex strategic issues within a large organisation such as the London Borough of Barnet. Strong understanding of the key challenges to local public service delivery, and the role that change management and collaborative working will play in the future. High level analytical, communication, organisational, influencing and coordination skills. Ability to provide credible strategic advice to Cabinet and Council Directors Group, including advice on politically sensitive and confidential matters in an assertive manner. Credibility with elected members, senior managers within the council and in partner organisations Ability to provide strategic advice on government initiatives and policy and their impact and understanding where and how the organisation can influence future strategy and policy at a national level. Ability to manage and lead multi-disciplinary teams involving senior managers from internal and external partner and provider organisations at a local regional and/or national level. Key behavioural Competencies Competency Personal Effectiveness Key to role Delivers professional and persuasive presentations to large internal and external groups Positively influences the perceptions of people internally and externally about LB Barnet Builds strong internal and external networks and uses them positively to benefit LB Barnet and its stakeholders Applies skilful negotiation techniques to achieve conflict resolutions and win-win outcomes Speaks up, even when views or messages may
Leadership Working in partnership be unpopular and maintains composure in difficult situations Champions a culture that values equality and diversity, and ensures these are built into the delivery of services Demonstrates a high level of personal drive and energy that sets an example to others Fosters a dynamic, achievement orientated culture In all projects, negotiates outcomes that are beneficial to residents of Barnet Brings creativity to approaches to solving complex policy problems Promotes a vision for the future that inspires others Provides ongoing support and encouragement to all Adapts leadership style to suit the situation Accepts ultimate responsibility for results of own area, whether positive or negative Promotes the achievements of teams and employees to generate a broad sense of satisfaction and pride Promotes a culture that values continuous personal and professional development Identifies and develops future leaders Constructively uses conflict as an opportunity to generate innovative solutions Challenges team members to work together on a shared agenda Identifies opportunities for co-operation and interdependency across groups and promotes cross functional working Actively contributes to the creation of an open, and interdependent culture Fully understands national and local influences on the organisation and their implications for the future delivery of services Identifies and breaks down barriers to effective partnership working Seeks and gives constructive feedback to partners and providers Working constructively with senior elected members