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The Greater London Authority is pushing ahead with the recruitment of arguably the capital's most high-profile HR department ahead of the mayoral election next month.
The GLA is recruiting a nine-strong personnel team to be in place when the mayor takes office in July.
But although some staff will be in place immediately after the election, appointment of the overall head of HR and administration will be left for the mayor and the newly-elected assembly.
The team will be part of a workforce of 400. Of these, about 150 are transferring from absorbed organisations and other public bodies leaving 250 new staff to be recruited.
HR consultant Barbara Cleary, of the authority's interim transition team, said about 100 staff would be in place by July.
She said, "As with all senior posts, the head of HR will be left until later this year. The head of HR and administration post will be a high-profile appointment. It will be a big job for someone.
"The authority will not have thousands of staff, but it will be influential."
Cleary said the HR team will be made up of the head of HR and administration, a senior adviser, two senior advisers, two officers and two administrative support staff. All but one will be external appointments.
The appointment of some HR staff before the mayor takes power also means the successful candidate will not have the opportunity to implement their own recruitment policies in the selection process.
Recruitment of about 150 staff is under way to ensure the authority can function immediately after the election on 4 May.
Decisions over the remainder will be made by the mayor and assembly. The mayor will be able to recruit two political advisers.
Details of vacancies are being advertised on the authority's web site.
The authority has been advertising for an HR manager, to report to the head of HR and administration. Last Friday was the closing date for applications.
The GLAis absorbing a number of bodies including the London Ecology Unit and the London Research Centre.
