GMCA Statutory Scrutiny Officer & Deputy Head of Governance & Scrutiny
GMCA
Statutory Scrutiny Officer & Deputy Head of Governance & Scrutiny Are you an experienced governance or scrutiny professional looking for a role with real influence and visibility? Or are you working in a related officer role and looking for the chance to broaden your experience in a high-profile, politically aware environment? This is a rare opportunity to help shape and lead scrutiny in Greater Manchester working closely with the Mayor, elected members, senior officers and strategic partners across the city-region. You’ll play a central role in supporting transparent, robust and effective decision-making, while helping scrutiny add value at the earliest stages of policy and delivery. This role offers an exceptional development opportunity for someone who wants to deepen their experience, raise their profile and build valuable relationships across Greater Manchester, before taking that learning and insight back into their substantive role. Why this role? Greater Manchester has some of the most comprehensive scrutiny arrangements of any combined authority in the country. With devolution continuing to evolve, this role offers the chance to work at the forefront of modern public governance in a fast-moving, high-profile environment. As Statutory Scrutiny Officer, you will: For someone joining on secondment, this is an opportunity to gain unique strategic experience, strengthen political awareness and broaden your understanding of governance across a major combined authority. It is also a chance to develop relationships and insight that will add real value when you return to your substantive post whether through stronger partnership working, greater confidence advising members and senior leaders, or a broader understanding of how decisions are shaped across the system. What you’ll do In this key role, you will: You will also play an important role in developing scrutiny in response to the changing devolution landscape, including implementation of the Trailblazer Scrutiny Protocol and related governance developments. Who we’re looking for We’d love to hear from candidates who bring: You may already be working in governance and scrutiny and be looking for your next challenge. Equally, you may be in another role within local government or the wider public sector and want the opportunity to develop your experience in a broader, more strategic and member-facing environment. This secondment would particularly suit someone who wants to return to their substantive role with enhanced strategic awareness, stronger experience of working with senior elected members, and a wider understanding of governance, scrutiny and decision-making at city-region level. Why join us? This is a chance to work at the centre of one of the UK’s leading devolved institutions, in a role that combines influence, variety and public impact. You’ll gain exposure to major strategic issues, work closely with senior leaders and elected members, and help shape how good governance and effective scrutiny support better outcomes for Greater Manchester. As a secondment opportunity, the role offers the added benefit of focused professional development within a defined period allowing you to build new skills, confidence, networks and experience that you can take forward in your longer-term career. Whether you are looking to test yourself in a more strategic environment, expand your experience of member-level working, or bring new insight back to your current team, this role offers a strong platform for development. If you are motivated by public service, enjoy working in a complex political environment, and want a role where your advice, judgement and relationships really matter, we’d love to hear from you. About us: The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) brings together the cityregion’s ten councils and key partners including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) - to deliver the Greater Manchester Strategy. Our shared vision is to create a thriving city region where everyone can live a good life. We work to grow an inclusive economy and ensure people have what they need to live happy, healthy lives, tackling inequalities. Our policy department include Digital, Economy, Education, Work & Skills, Environment, Place Making, Public Service Reform, and Safer & Stronger Communities - who are supported by our essential corporate functions like Finance, Legal & Governance, People Services, Procurement and Communications. We value the diversity of our employees, and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across Greater Manchester. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, Trans status and Non-binary identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. 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. To find out more about working for us please click here: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/ Our offer: In return for your hard work, we offer our employees a competitive package as part of our offer that you can find out more about here: Greater Manchester Combined Authority - Home | greater.jobs Mandatory Information: Politically Restricted This post is classified as politically restricted, as in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, as the post holder will be required to regularly advise the GMCA, it’s Committees, or communicate with the media on behalf of the GMCA. Artificial Intelligence (AI) We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. However, we value human talent and are looking for passionate individuals to join our organisation. Please ensure you personally complete your application and read all the instructions carefully to maximise your chances of success. Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting, however we understand that AI may be used as a reasonable adjustment, if using AI to support your application, please give a brief explanation why to help ensure fair selection process. Privacy Notice (Click here) Employees on the redeployment register will be given priority for any vacancies in the first instance. If employees are identified as a match from the register then the vacancy may be withdrawn or put on hold pending an outcome. For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK - if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note we are not a licenced sponsor. Hybrid working This role is part of GMCA’s hybrid working scheme. As part of our commitment to ‘Build Back Fairer’ in Greater Manchester following the Covid-19 pandemic, we have evolved our management methods by trusting and empowering staff to deliver their work in the best way that suits the business and their individual needs, and supports health and wellbeing. Our hybrid working policy sets out a flexible approach, combining attendance at our Manchester city centre office, allocated GM Local Authority office(s), or on site in the community, with remote working, typically from home (within a reasonable commutable distance from Greater Manchester); the location of work is primarily dictated by the needs of the business: ‘Do what is right for you and the business on that day’. If appointed to the role you will work with your manager to agree and regularly review the best working pattern for you, your team and your work.
Contract: Fixed-Term Until February 2028Supporting Documents
↗ Statutory Scrutiny Office & Deputy Head of Governance & Scrutiny
Ready to apply?
Location
Tootal Buildings, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU, United Kingdom
Job ID
1164
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AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.
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This means:
A trained hiring manager reads every application
Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job
Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role
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AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.
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What you can bring
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AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.
AI is most helpful when used to:
Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria
Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors
Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something
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Do:
Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement
Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure
Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice
Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience
Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself
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Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application
Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have
Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements
Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice
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