Governing Bodies Advisory Officer

£27,270 - £29,139 a year | Temporary (secondment)

Location:

Caernarfon. Term time job: 39 weeks.

Hours:

37 per week.

Cyngor Gwynedd is committed to being an inclusive employer and enhancing workforce diversity. Your application form will be assessed anonymously. Your title, name and email address will not be shared with the appointing panel for the purpose of shortlisting.

Personal attributes:

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with good collaboration skills
• Attention to detail, reliability, willingness to be flexible to provide cover when required within the team
• Effective communication with a range of audiences
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

Desirable attributes:
Demonstrates initiative (forward‑thinking / proactive approach)

Qualifications and Relevant Training:

• Equivalent to NVQ Level 3 in administration or another relevant qualification (Essential)
• Relevant IT qualifications or experience (Essential)
• Relevant experience (Essential)
• Previous administrative experience (Essential)
• Experience of working collaboratively as part of a team (Essential)
• Broad awareness of the work of the Education Department and Schools (Desirable)
• Experience of being a school governor (Desirable)

Skills and Specialist Knowledge:

• Understanding of the principles and practices of school governance (Essential)
• Good verbal and written communication skills (Essential)
• Ability to take effective minutes of meetings (Essential)
• Ability to work to tight deadlines (Essential)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality (Essential)
• Understanding of statutory frameworks and relevant regulations (Desirable)
• Listening and speaking at a higher level in Welsh and English (Essential)
• Reading and understanding at a higher level in Welsh and English (Essential)
• Writing at a higher level in Welsh and English (Essential)

Purpose of the post:

• Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the heart of everything we do.
• Provide an effective and professional advisory clerking service for Gwynedd schools.
• Advise schools and governing bodies directly on their statutory legal responsibilities (constitutional matters, duties and powers).
• Work with the Governor Support Team and Governing Bodies to share and develop best practice across the county.
• Be accountable to the governing body, working effectively with the chair, the headteacher and other governors.
• Commit to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Main duties:

• Advise schools and governing bodies on all aspects of school governance (constitutional and procedural).
• Ensure governing bodies fulfil their statutory obligations and comply with local and national policies.
• Ensure governing bodies have current signed Instruments of Government and comply with them.
• Advise on the process for reconstituting governing bodies and updating the Instrument of Government.
• Advise governors and appointing bodies on changes in membership and expiring terms of office.
• Ensure new governors receive appropriate information to carry out their role effectively.
• Advise on eligibility, quorum, election procedures and disqualification regulations.
• Attend meetings and record accurate minutes, identifying responsibility for agreed actions.
• Advise on the establishment, membership and review of committees, including their terms of reference.
• Work with the Chair and Headteacher to prepare agendas and supporting papers for meetings.
• Ensure papers are distributed in accordance with statutory requirements.
• Prepare clear and objective minutes, including decisions and action timescales.
• Monitor follow‑up actions and related correspondence.
• Ensure statutory and recommended policies are in place.
• Maintain school records, policies and governing body documentation.
• Promote local authority training programmes and keep records of governor attendance.
• Ensure compliance with statutory training requirements.
• Undertake research as required by the governing body.
• Keep up to date with educational developments and legislation affecting governance.
• Chair the part of the meeting where the Chair of Governors is elected (where appropriate).
• Support…