AddressOverview
Senior Democratic Services Officer
Location : London
Our mission
We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive. To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.
Job overview
Islington Council is seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic candidate to join our Committee Services team, contributing to the effective operation of democratic processes and procedures.
Main duties of the job
You will have a key role in facilitating local democracy by managing the work of council committees, organising high-profile public meetings, and supporting elected members in their role. You will be responsible for preparing agendas and minutes of the council’s committees, webcasting meetings, and providing advice to members, officers and residents on council governance procedures. You will also contribute to the council’s scrutiny function by supporting elected members to carry out reviews of local services, writing reports that recommend improvements in service delivery and developments in council policy.
The successful candidate will also support the administration of School Admission Appeals and Exclusion Review hearings.
The role is an ideal opportunity for someone who is well organised, has exceptional administrative skills and can work well under pressure. You will have excellent written and verbal communications skills, be collaborative and proactive, have a high level of political awareness and enjoy working to deadlines. You will also have strong IT skills and be keen to embrace new technologies and innovative ways of working.
Previous experience in Democratic Services is not essential but would be beneficial.
Working for our organisation
The Committee Services team plays a crucial role in enabling democratic decision making in the council, facilitating participation in local democracy and championing the council’s governance processes.
The successful candidate will be able to work from home on a regular basis but needs to be able to come to the Borough of Islington once or twice a week. The role involves regular evening meetings at Islington Town Hall.
This post is designated as politically restricted.
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Jonathan Moore by emailing jonathan.moore@islington.gov.uk to arrange a time.
Closing date: Sunday 18 February 2024 at 23:59
Interviews: Tuesday 5 March 2024
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- To manage the business of a number of the council’s committees, including forward planning, organising agendas and speakers, compiling and writing papers and publishing to statutory deadlines.
- To facilitate committee meetings (including virtual meetings and hybrid-meetings using webcasting technology), organising venues, attendees and presentations, monitoring attendance, minuting discussions and decisions as required, and monitoring action on committee decisions.
- To provide advice to committee Chairs, members and officers on the council’s constitution, committee procedures and decision making.
- To establish good relationships and work closely with councillors, colleagues and partner organisations to carry out high quality scrutiny reviews with meaningful outcomes.
- To undertake research, information and evidence gathering and data analysis to inform the scrutiny process, drafting reports and recommendations as appropriate.
- To provide a proactive and flexible service to councillors, colleagues, partners and residents.
- To develop and use new technology to improve the democratic process and service delivery, including maintaining up to date information and advice on the council’s intranet and internet.
- To communicate and publicise the work of the council’s committees and provide a proactive service to encourage wider engagement and participation.
- To keep informed about the impacts of new legislation and good practice affecting the work of the team.
- To work effectively as part of a team, providing support and assistance to colleagues as required and to assist with the wider work of the team, including undertaking additional tasks related to the role, such as member surveys, benchmarking, processing freedom of information requests, and producing corporate documents.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience in clerking local authority or similar meetings
- Experience of providing advice to Members and officers on procedures at meetings
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to work in an organised and accurate way and to meet tight deadlines in a complex fast moving environment, to prioritise work and ensure tasks are delivered on time and to a high standard.
- Ability to work using own initiative, work flexibly within a team with a willingness to participate in resolving problems and sharing workloads.
- Ability to deal with a range of issues, some of which may be politically sensitive.
- Strong communication and presentational skills both verbally and in writing to a range of audiences.
- Research and analysis, report writing and project management skills.
- Ability to use information technology confidently and to work innovatively to establish new practices and methods of working which improve the democratic process and service delivery.
- Ability to provide a pro-active service and flexible service, including attending evening meetings, sometimes at short notice.
- Ability to manage and promote services in accordance with customer care standards, health and safety, equal opportunities in employment and service delivery, and relevant performance indicators.
Documents to download
Apply online now
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Jonathan Moore
- Job title
- Deputy Head of Democratic Services and Governance
- Email address
- jonathan.moore@islington.gov.uk
- Telephone number
- 020 7527 3308
