Senior Democratic Services Officer

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 Reference: OR(phone number removed)

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

Eligibility to work in the UK.

CV submission required.