This is a one year fixed term contract, with the likelihood of extending by two further years in line with the three year What Works Cities program. 

We are Public Digital, a digital transformation consultancy. We help global institutions that matter thrive in the internet era. We operate globally, advising companies and governments on six continents.

We’re values-driven and we articulated them in our positions. 

Attitude as much as skill, is critically important to us as a team and we look for entrepreneurialism, initiative, kindness, and a willingness to pitch in. Our theory of change is: Digital. Teams. Work. 

Role overview

Public Digital is delighted to be working with Johns Hopkins University (JHU), in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, to deliver technical assistance as part of the What Works Cities program. 

This is an opportunity to develop and lead a program of technical assistance to 8 cities across Canada, the US and LATAM. 

There are 3 core strands to this role: 

• You will oversee engagements with cities and lead a Public Digital team of experts in helping cities to deliver excellent data practices, at scale. You will work with cities to set a high bar for delivering with data, and create the conditions for success to do so. 

• You will also develop our technical assistance practice, extending our international reputation for digital strategy, and establishing us as the partner of choice for public administrations looking to deepen their data & digital service delivery capability.  

• You will lead and manage our relationships with key program stakeholders, including Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

What you’ll do for us:

• Lead the technical assistance program, from mobilisation to delivery. 

• Lead and manage a small team, working on the program and with cities, keeping our delivery on track. 

• Manage our relationships with Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and other delivery partners. 

• Working closely with a data expert, develop our technical assistance offer in response to city needs. 

• Measure, record and share the impact of our work with cities. 

• Grow our public profile on this topic and demonstrate our impact: through publishing our work, speaking at events and developing connections with communities of practice. 

• Become a subject matter expert for best practices in data-driven, digital city administrations, to inform our delivery of this program and future support to cities. 

• Continually develop and manage a strong diverse, inclusive and engaging culture where people thrive and do their best, most enjoyable work for themselves, our teams and for our clients

What we’re looking for: 

• You are a planner, and organiser. You’re happy to work with ambiguity and sometimes changing priorities, but you will manage our work and our team to a structured plan.

• You’re excellent at stakeholder management. You will work with partners delivering complementary assistance to cities - you will build excellent relationships and form trusted partnerships. 

• You can demonstrate how your experience will make you an excellent leader in this role. You don’t need in-depth technical expertise in data, but you need to be comfortable with digital delivery concepts and getting the best out of experts you are working with. 

• You are motivated by a sense of purpose - our technical assistance is targeted at helping cities deliver better outcomes to citizens. You will shape the team’s work around this purpose. 

• You’re credible and confident, and will engage persuasively with city mayors and senior leaders. 

• You’re collaborative, and like to work in the open. You’ll be comfortable with internet ways of working.

• You are committed to developing a diverse, inclusive team and culture where people thrive and do excellent work. 

• Experience working with funders, universities and/or public administrations would be an asset. 

• Working fluency in Spanish, Portuguese or French is a bonus, but isn’t required. 

What’s in it for you?

• Opportunity to grow and establish your public profile around an important topic.

• Opportunity to work strategically with city leaders across the US, Canada and LATAM, supporting them to deliver meaningful impact for city administrations and their citizens. 

• Work within an engaged, collaborative and supportive environment, with peers who are experts in their field. 

• Be entrepreneurial and contribute to the growth and success of Public Digital.

• Be empowered and trusted to lead an exciting and impactful program. 

• Home and remote working, flexibility in how you deliver work. There is likely to be a need to travel for kick-off meetings with cities, as well as some calls later in the day UK time. You will have flexibility to structure your working time accordingly.

• Ability to build and develop your expertise and profile through publishing blog posts, presenting at events and sharing knowledge and experience.

• Buddy system and prioritised mental health.

• Generous holiday allowance.

• Private healthcare.

How we get to know you

If you would like to chat to us before applying for this role, please email us at careers@public.digital

We review all applications on the basis of your answers to the sift questions on our BeApplied. Your responses are critical and will determine whether you progress to the next stage of selection. As a blind sift, we do not shortlist on the basis of your CV. 

We would like to understand your background, attitudes, experiences and your motivation in wanting to work with us. We typically do this through a:

• phone interview up to 30 minutes;

• panel interview, which includes a case study sent to you in advance; and 

• a chat with a peer online. 

Closing date for applications: 26th November 2021