Senior Democratic Services Officer

 

Main characteristics

Location

Merseyside

Company

AKTON Resourcing Ltd

Salary

£20/hour

Employment type

Contract

Category

IT

Job summary

Senior Democratic Services Officer

£20/PH

Akton are currently recruiting for a Senior Democratic Services Officer to work for a local authority on a contract basis.

PURPOSE

To support the Principal Democratic Services Officers in all aspects of Committee and Democratic Services functions. Further support will be given to Committees through the production of a detailed annual programme of work and to provide support for reviews into service delivery, policy development and scrutiny. The post holder will provide an effective and efficient administrative support service for all Council and Committee meetings, decision making processes and independent appeals process. Furthermore, it will support the department in the modernisation and improvement of the council's democratic processes - ensuring that decision-making and the democratic process is robust and effective through timely agenda publication, report and minute production and use of committee management systems.

Main duties and responsibilities

Compile, draft and publish agendas.
Support democratic and scrutiny projects to ensure the continuous improvement of service, drafting and presenting reports to members and briefings and formal meetings as and when required.
Attendance at meetings, associated minute taking to produce an accurate record of the decisions made at the meeting.
Communicate/publish decisions made by Committees and ensure that all monitoring and necessary follow up actions are completed.
Directed by the Principal Democratic Services Officer, manage develop and maintain Committee work programmes and to arrange Committee Meetings, Chair's and Group Representatives briefings when required.
Interpreting the Constitution and legislation (supporting the implementation of any constitutional changes/developments), acting as an advisor to elected Members, senior managers, officers, external organisations and members of the public on Council policy, procedures, legislation, governance, decision-making and the Code of Conduct.
Provide clerking to the statutory independent panel process for consideration of admission and exclusion appeals, ensuring that all appeals are conducted in a timely manner and in accordance with relevant legislation and national Codes.
Demonstrate a commitment to personal development and keep abreast of changes in legislation, national and local guidance and regulations and best practice that impact on democratic services and assist with the development and promotion of local democracy and community leadership.
Assist with the promotion of consultations with stakeholders, strengthening the Council's relationships with public, private and voluntary organisations and residents within the Borough.
Support the Electoral Services Team by providing advice, support and project management assistance in relation to elections, referenda and electoral registration.
To undertake any other similar or reasonable duties commensurate with the level of the post as required by the Head of Democratic and Member Services.

Role specific knowledge, experience and skills

Qualifications:

English Language to "A" Level standard or equivalent.
Mathematics at GCSE level A to C grade or equivalent.

Knowledge & Skills:

Awareness of current local government issues.
Knowledge and experience of local government law and procedures and the role of Members and the conduct of meetings.
Have a good understanding of the Council's organisational structure.
Have a good understanding of the law and procedure relating to local authority Committee democratic processes.
Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels of the organisation and demonstrate sensitivity on political issues in supporting Councillors.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to compile written agendas, reports and minutes and wide variety of documents in clear and grammatically correct English.
Ability to co-ordinate own work and the ability to analyse complex issues and draw clear conclusions.
Have organisational and time management skills.
Ability to prioritise varying workloads and deal with high volumes of work whilst still maintaining a high-quality service.
Ability to produce accurate work of high quality within strict deadlines.
Ability to efficiently maintain manual and computerised administrative systems.

Experience:

Experience of local authority Committee administration.
Experience of drafting minutes, formal letters and/or other similar communications.
Experience in collating and organising large numbers of documents and undertaking detailed research/report writing.
Experience of dealing and working with Councillors and senior Council officers.
Experience of the Council's decision-making processes and procedures.
Experience of leading on specific projects using own initiative.

DESIRABLE knowledge, experience and skills

Qualifications:

ICSA, B.Tec Higher National, DMS, ADSO or equivalent qualification.

Knowledge & Skills:

Ability to produce documents using IT system, including MS Word and Excel.

Experience:

Committee Administration Experience.
Experience of webcasting and streaming Council and Committee meetings.
Experience of Modern.gov and the reports management system.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The postholder must be able to travel across the borough.

Able to attend evening meetings in and around the Borough (Weekly).

Able to work outside traditional hours, of a weekend and evening as required, adopting an agile working approach in response to business requirements.

This post has been defined as being politically restricted