Electoral Services Data Processor

Company	Manchester City CouncilSee more
Address	Manchester, Greater Manchester
Category	Administrative

Job description

Working Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract Type: Full Time, 6 month time limited contract

Closing date : 22 February 2024

An exciting opportunity has arisen in Electoral Services for 2 Electoral Services Data Processors to work in the Elections Team based in the Town Hall Extension in Manchester city centre.

The Electoral Services Unit is responsible for the highest standard of administration of elections and referenda across Manchester and the maintenance and publication of the electoral register. Manchester currently has over 380,000 registered electors across 32 wards, covering 5 current and due to become 6 Parliamentary Constituencies.

The Electoral Services Unit supports the Returning Officer to deliver local elections every 3 out of 4 years, parliamentary general elections, at least once every 5 years, and the Combined Authority Mayoral Election, every 4 years, as one of the 10 Greater Manchester districts. Additional elections, including by elections and referenda may be called, as a result of local or national circumstances and these maybe at short notice.

The Electoral Services Unit also supports the Electoral Registration Officer to discharge her statutory functions. This includes compiling, maintaining and updating the Electoral Register, including undertaking the Annual Canvass across the City to ensure the Register is as accurate and complete as possible. Wider responsibilities include processing absent voter applications (postal and proxy) and maintaining a record of them, as well as encouraging participation in elections.

In addition, the Electoral Services Unit is responsible for the provision of a strong and credible perspective to government and the Electoral Commission regarding the development of elections and registration best practice in the delivery of elections and Electoral Services; co-ordinating the Council’s response to local government boundary reviews; developing and delivering a sustainable model for delivery of elections and electoral registration, taking into account the significant changes which will arise, in particular, as a result of the Elections Act and related secondary legislation

The Elections Act project:

The changes that have arisen as a consequence of the Elections Act include:

- the requirement for electors to show photographic id in a polling station

- the issue of photographic id certificates for those who do not have the required form of id

- accessibility requirements in polling stations

- the online application and identity verification for postal vote applications

- postal votes renewals every 3 years rather than every 5 years as is currently the case

- the review of EU citizens’ rights to be on the electoral register, based on whether they hold ‘retained rights’ or come from a country with a bi-lateral agreement

- the removal of the 15 year limit on Overseas Voters ability to vote in Parliamentary General Elections, so those who can prove previous residency or electoral registration in the UK can be added to the relevant electoral register as an Overseas Voter.

You will be joining Manchester’s Electoral Services Team at an exciting time as it goes through a period of transformation arising from the Elections Bill. As well as the Elections Bill, there are several other significant changes including the end of the Fixed Term Parliament Act, and the outcomes of the Parliamentary Boundary review, all of which will impact on the delivery of elections and registration.

Request

You should be professional, friendly and have a polite manner to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders including members of the public, members of parliament, local councillors, colleagues in other Elections teams and other wider external organisations. You should be enthusiastic, work to the best of your abilities and have a keen eye for detail.

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate clearly in their expression of interest, that they have the following skills:

Communication Skills: Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, accurately and in ways that promote understanding.

Planning and Organising: Ability to absorb, understand and quickly assimilate moderately complex information and concepts and compare information from a number of different sources

Problem Solving and Decision Making: Is able to make effective decisions on a day-to-day basis, taking ownership of decisions, demonstrating sound judgement in escalating issues where necessary. be logical in thinking and explain reasoning behind decisions or actions taken

Administrative Skills: Good level of literacy and numeracy skills to undertake calculations and produce letters and other documentation.

ICT Skills:: Ability to use multiple applications, systems and associated software packages.

With appropriate training and under direction, the ability to use specialist IT applications specific to Elections and Electoral Registration.

Willingness to work outside of normal office hours, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays as required to prepare for elections and other peak times such as annual canvass.

Please note that applications MUST include an expression of interest.

Applications that provide a CV only, will not be considered.

Benefits

We’re the local government authority for Manchester, and have teams across the city helping to make this a great place to live for everyone. We’re proud to do local government differently, in a city with an international reputation for diversity, creativity, culture and passion. When you join us, you’re joining a team of over 7,000 council staff helping to make our ambition for Manchester a reality. Whatever your role, you’ll be supporting our residents and communities to be the best they can be, and helping to build a Manchester that's fairer for everyone who lives, works, volunteers, studies or plays here. To make our ambition a reality, every person we recruit needs to play their its part. It takes a certain type of behaviour, attitude and way of working to get Manchester where it wants to be. Our people and partners have agreed five ‘behaviours’ – the grounding for how we must work together and treat one another: We take time to listen and understand We work together and trust each other We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things We’re proud and passionate about Manchester A career with us means you can be yourself, thrive, and build the career your talent and ambition deserve. Creating an inclusive team at Manchester City Council At Manchester City Council, we strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve. If you want to find out more about the role, our culture, flexible arrangements or any adjustments, please let us know by emailing [email protected]. If you are invited to interview we will ask you if you require any adjustments in order for you to best demonstrate your suitability for the role in the interview process. If you would like to access the job details in another format, such as large print, audio or printed on a coloured paper, please email [email protected] or call 0161 227 3373. Guaranteed Interview Scheme As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria: Members of the Armed Forces and veterans Are currently in care, or have previously been in care If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition Accessibility As a Disability Confident Employer, we provide support for employees with physical or mental-health conditions, a disability or neurodiversity. Our workplaces are accessible by design, and we make workplace adjustments including providing aids, adaptations and equipment. These, combined with our flexible working policies such as disability-related leave, enable our employees to perform their role, thrive and be their authentic selves in work. We’ve also included some useful tips on how to submit the best application. When you join us We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. Other relevant information Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment Our Manchester Strategy/Behaviours.pdf Privacy Notice

Refer code: 2812511. Manchester City Council - The previous day - 2024-02-16 21:01