Adviser ​

Salary: £54,587 per annum (includes London weighting)

Location: Westminster, London or Home based

Directorate: Policy

Contract type: secondment, full-time

Term: up to 12-month secondment opportunity (open to internal candidates and secondments ) The posts relating to public health and community safety and resilience will be to cover a period of maternity leave.

Please note: Office-based staff are required to work in the LGA’s London office two days per week as a minimum, subject to business need. For home-based staff, some occasional travel to London and wider afield is likely required.

About us

The Local Government Association (LGA) is the national membership body for local authorities. 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.

About the role

We are looking to recruit four Advisers to play an important role in the LGA’s Policy team, working with colleagues to help shape national policy and programmes.

Role One - will support the LGA’s policy work on fire and rescue related matters, with a focus on improving the response to emerging national risks such as extreme weather events (including following and wildfires), new technology and community resilience and home defence. This role will design and deliver the programme for the annual Fire Conference in 2027, develop and deliver webinars for Fire and Rescue Authority members, and contribute to our work to develop an inclusive and welcoming culture in the fire and rescue service. It will also be expected to contribute to the community safety team’s wider priorities.

Role Two - will support the LGA’s community safety policy work, with a focus on improving civil resilience and preparedness, taking forward recommendations from the Grenfell and Covid Inquiries strengthening councils emergency planning role, and leading the LGA’s input into the post implementation review of the Civil Contingencies Act. This is a flexible role and will also contribute to the team’s wider community safety priorities including community cohesion, modern slavery, regulation and licensing

Role Three - will support the LGA’s public health work with a strong focus on improving children’s health and wellbeing, including early years, prevention, and reducing inequalities. Will also contribute to priorities across adult social care, strengthening the link between health improvement, care systems, and community-based support.

Role Four - will support the LGA’s work to shape guidance and regulation following passing of English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act including neighbourhood governance and strengthened oversight and scrutiny arrangements and play a leading role in kick starting work on the future of devolution.

The successful candidates will join an organisation with a strong track record of leading the national debate, that works confidently with partners across government to strengthen policy development and isn’t afraid to drive the political narrative on behalf of local councils. VAs priorities change within the policy team you may be required to pivot based on political change and business need.

• The position is required to support immediate delivery needs

• The organisation is consulting on its operating model

• The grade and responsibilities are subject to confirmation

• Priority consideration may be given to employees at risk where they have the required qualifications and experience

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Job Description

About you

You will have the knowledge and skills to engage effectively with colleagues and stakeholders from across the public, private and voluntary sectors. You will be able to take a proactive and organised approach to your work, with a good understanding of the wider environment and the ability to build positive working relationships, including with the LGA’s political groups and external partners.

The successful applicant will be a strong communicator and problem solver, with the ability to work both as part of a team and independently when needed. You will have experience using a range of communication tools, including social media, and understand how to operate in a politically sensitive environment. You will be able to grasp issues quickly and adapt to changing priorities. While not essential, experience of working in local government or a similar setting would be beneficial.

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 apply

If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online application, and include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria for the role before the closing date.

For the purposes of shortlisting, we are specifically assessing candidates against the following criteria:

1. As a member of the programme team(s), contribute to the delivery of assigned projects and programmes within resource and budget allocations that deliver the LGA’s business plan and help councils meet their challenges and priority outcomes.

2. Work as part of a team, contributing towards building a culture of flexible and collaborative team working to ensure that the LGA meets its business objectives and responds effectively to new or changing requirements.

3. Undertake horizon scanning and intelligence gathering to inform future agendas. Undertake research to establish a strong evidence base that informs and influences the policy and improvement agenda.

4. Prepare reports, policy papers and briefings for senior managers and LGA group Members on sensitive and complex issues relating to the LGA’s position on policy issues. Contribute to publicity and marketing materials for the LGA.

5. Contribute to the development of lobbying positions and improvement strategies within assigned areas of work. Accompany Heads of Policy, Principal Advisers and Senior Advisers at meetings to represent the LGA with local government Members, government officials, Ministers, Parliamentarians and other interested parties at national level (and European as necessary).

6. Contribute to the development of networks and partnerships that are of value to the LGA and work to maintain a positive reputation for the LGA with local authorities, central government, partners and stakeholders.

Closing Date: 5pm, 12th June 2026

Interview Date: 29th June 2026

At 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.uk

Our 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-lga

Our values & behaviours

Our 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.