Senior Democratic Services Officer
i-Jobs
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 Reference: OR(phone number removed)
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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