Name: Boshra Begum
Working at: London Borough of Havering
Studied: BA (Hons) Politics and MSc Public Policy at Queen Mary University of London
Motivations for applying?
Advice? Take every opportunity and in many cases there is enough scope and support to create your own opportunities. The NGDP programme not only places you at the heart of a local authority through the placements in key services, it also gives you unprecedented access to senior members. Within a month of the programme I found myself sitting in on Senior Leadership Meetings where key strategic decisions are discussed.
How have you changed?
I have always been a proactive individual however this programme has challenged me through the work load making sure I am able to follow through to the delivery stage.
Favourite projects?
In my previous placement one of the main projects I enjoyed was centred on Information and Advice strategy concerning the Adult Social Care department. What seemed a straightforward task is turned out involve have a variety of stakeholders with competing interests both within my local authority and external. There were also implications for commissioning as well as following the corporate guidance of the council. The project has required sitting down with colleagues in different departments and brainstorming a new holistic approach within the department and it is exciting to play a leading role in a cultural shift.
Any impact that your placement made on the service or council either financial or enabling transformation?
Project Title: Public Realm Transformation programme (Environment).
The information in the action plan I am producing will be used for possible future contract/procurement routes, inform internal transforms through change management process or a combination of these measures.
What I Learnt: I am currently supporting the Project Manager, to develop a Project Plan to undertake a gap analysis of performance information that will be required for the Public Realm Transformation programme. I also obtained a budget and was able to commission/procure within a VfM framework experienced professional agencies to survey, collect and collate missing data. I am learning about how the transformation programmes contribute to local authorities working in a more efficient way and making savings.
The difference it made: The information in the action plan I am producing will be used for possible future contract/procurement routes, inform internal transforms through change management process or a combination of these measures.
What about your development?
The ILM is a great way to make sure that we are still on top of our professional development outside our placements, and a level 7 qualification is highly regarded. Other than this I have also developed my training skills and am qualified NI195 Monitoring officer, also I have also attended various events with SOLACE such as their masterclasses. I am also on the Public Bubble committee and also a member of the NGDP Women’s Network.
Hobbies: Can be found in a coffee shop planning weekends away! I also enjoy volunteering with a local citizen’s organisation in my borough, horse riding and running.