Position: Senior Democratic Services Officer
Location: 25 Windsor Road, Slough, SL1 2EJ
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Duration: 6+ Months
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Pay Rate: PAYE: £277.80 Per day
Job Responsibilities
- Act as the lead officer for allocated committees, panels, scrutiny groups and appeal panels
- Prepare and distribute agendas, reports, work plans, minutes, notices and action logs in line with statutory and local deadlines
- Attend formal meetings, including evening meetings, to provide clerking, governance and procedural support
- Provide accurate procedural and constitutional advice to councillors, officers and members of the public
- Support the council's decision-making processes and democratic governance arrangements
- Research a range of topics and prepare reports, briefings and recommendations for consideration by members
- Draft policies, reports and briefing documents and present information where required
- Support the delivery of member training and development programmes, including new member induction
- Build effective working relationships with councillors, officers, partner organisations and members of the public
- Prepare and issue statutory notices and other formal documentation
- Support areas including complaints handling, petitions, member records, freedom of information requests, subject access requests and governance projects
- Provide guidance, supervision and mentoring to junior team members
- Deputise for the Local Democracy Manager when required
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with data protection requirements
- Keep up to date with developments in local government governance and democratic services best practice
- Provide support during civil emergencies and elections-related activities when required
Person Specification
Must-Have Requirements
Experience
- Experience providing procedural, technical or specialist advice to a range of stakeholders
- Demonstrable experience working within Democratic Services, Committee Services or Scrutiny Services
- Experience managing complex administrative tasks and competing priorities
Skills and Abilities
- Ability to research information and produce clear, accurate and well-structured reports
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Ability to work sensitively within a political environment while maintaining confidentiality
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to oversee the work of others
- Strong IT skills, including experience using standard office software and ability to learn new systems quickly
- Ability to develop positive working relationships with councillors, officers, partners and members of the public
- Excellent written and spoken English skills, including proofreading ability
- Ability to work independently and contribute effectively within a team
- Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills
Knowledge and Qualifications
- Detailed knowledge of democratic, committee and/or scrutiny services procedures and legislation
- English language qualification equivalent to GCSE Grade 4 (A*–C) or above
- Eligibility to work in the UK
- CV submission required
Nice-to-Have Requirements
- Experience using Modern.gov committee management software
- Relevant professional qualification, such as an ADSO Certificate in Democratic Services Knowledge or ADSO Diploma in Local Democracy
- Evidence of further or higher education
Job Reference: OR110048
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary, Fixed term contract
Pay: £277.80 per day
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Work from home
Experience:
- working within Democratic Services: 2 years (required)
- Committee Services, or Scrutiny Services: 2 years (required)
- preparing agendas, reports, minutes : 2 years (required)
- administrative tasks: 2 years (required)
- using committee management systems such as Modern.gov: 2 years (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
