Democratic Services Manager Remote
Job description
Democratic Services Manager – Oxfordshire County Council (HYBRID WORKING)
I am currently representing Oxfordshire County Council who are offering a permanent position for the right candidate at a Rate of £57,857 to £60,975 Per Annum
We are looking for a Democratic Services Manager you will be based at: OX1
We are currently working with Oxfordshire County Council to help recruit for a Democratic Services Manager,
Responsible to: Head of Governance
Responsible for: Democratic Services Team comprising:
Senior Democratic Services Officer x 4
Democratic Services Officer x 5
Governance Officer x 2
Job Responsibilities
This is a list of the main duties or tasks that the post holder will be expected to undertake.
1. Managing the Democratic Services Team
(a) Leading a team of 10 and representing its interests and those of its members
(b) Monitoring and reviewing standards and practices
(c) Day to day advice and guidance on duties in the context of corporate objectives
(d) Ensure the health and safety of all members of staff and ensure a safe system of working is in operation.
(e) Ensure formal appraisals are conducted (setting objectives for individuals and the team collectively) and appropriate training & development needs/opportunities are identified.
(f) Manage performance and deal with specific personnel issues
(g) Manage recruitment and selection
(h) Ensure that all relevant corporate policies are implemented including financial regulations, HR and corporate governance policies.
2. Governance
(a) Provide timely and accurate research and support to the Council’s Monitoring Officer, with due confidentiality as necessary.
(b) Deliver advice, interventions and solutions on behalf of the Monitoring Officer on best governance practice and compliance issues; to resolve problems at an early stage, with services, senior managers and members.
(c) Deliver effective governance advice (including training and communications) to the Council, its senior managers and elected members, to secure compliance and embed responsibilities and awareness.
(d) Assist the Monitoring Officer in the investigation of Members’ Code of Conduct complaints for the Council.
(e) Be a primary source of advice, on behalf of the Monitoring Officer, to senior managers and members, and to parishes, on ethical governance issues.
(f) Oversee and advise upon the Council’s processes for the registration of interests and gifts and hospitality.
(g) Ensure that all statutory and local registers in relation to members are kept up to date and publicised appropriately and on-line.
(h) Deliver effective advice to staff, managers and members on:
i) Politically restricted posts
ii) Any restrictions on publicity – eg. restricted period at election times
iii)Duties to publish information – Code of Data Transparency
iv)Schemes of delegation
(i) Assist the Monitoring Officer in advising upon and reviewing the Council’s Constitution
(j) Lead on projects requiring key governance oversight eg. boundary reviews, members’ allowances and reviews of decision-making.
(k) Assist the Monitoring Officer in reporting on governance issues to the Council’s leadership team and to member meetings’
(l) Draft reports on behalf of the Monitoring Officer, as needed, for senior management, Cabinet, Scrutiny, Council and Committees; and to present the same at these meetings, as required.
(m) To take an active part in the Council’s Senior Management Forum.
(n) To undertake budget management responsibilities for councillor and other governance functions
(o) Responsibility for business continuity, service level reporting and risk reviews for the governance functions.
3. Managing the decision making and associated processes
(a) Ensuring resources for supporting meetings of the Council, the Cabinet and committees and other aspects of the governance process are fit for purpose.
(b) Securing compliance with the Council’s Constitution, other requirements of the Council and the relevant legislation, including the Member Code of Conduct/ Employee Conflicts of Interest Policy.
(c) Managing the complex systems which underpin the decision-making process and overseeing support processes, eg. councillor records, appointments and timetabling.
(d) Ensuring the maintenance of public information, eg. availability of documentation for meetings and other statutory information in accordance with statutory deadlines and on-line.
(e) Advising members and officers and the public on procedural matters in relation to the Council’s decision-making and governance processes, and providing training as necessary.
(f) Monitoring and evaluating the performance of the decision making and governance processes and (with line manager) the operation of the Constitution as a whole, identifying and implementing appropriate improvements.
(g) Develop, deliver and manage the Council’s decision-making and governance processes through the effective and efficient use of systems and processes, including exploitation of modern.gov and other ICT enablers.
(h) Preparing agendas, producing/editing/coordinating reports, undertaking research and advising on review topics, developing and managing the execution of work programmes, drafting decision statements, drafting minutes, ensuring legislation and the Constitution is adhered to, providing advice and recommendations before and during meetings.
(i) Assisting in the delivery of County Council elections and any boundary or electoral reviews.
(j) Coordinating responses to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
For all staff - You have specific responsibilities under Health & Safety legislation to
· Take reasonable care for your own health and safety, and that of others affected by what you do, or do not do
· Cooperate on all issues involving health and safety
· Use work items provided for you correctly, in accordance with training and instructions
· Do not interfere with or misuse anything provided for your health, safety, or welfare
· Report any health and safety concerns to your line manager as soon as practicable
Essentials
· Experience of working closely with elected members and chief officers
· Relevant degree and/or evidence of extensive equivalent experience in a local government setting
Desirable
· An Association of Democratic Services Officer (ADSO) qualification (Certificate in Democratic Services Knowledge and Diploma in Local Democracy) or equivalent
· Experience of Research
Pre-employment Checks
Additional pre employment checks specific to this role include:
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check with Children’s and Adults Barred List
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check without an Adult/Children’s barred list check
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check with Children’s Barred List
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check with Adults Barred List
Standard Disclosure and Barring Service check
Basic Disclosure
Disqualification for Caring for Children (Education)
Overseas Criminal Record Checks
Prohibition from Teaching
Professional Registration
Non police personnel vetting
Disqualification from Caring
Other (please specify):
If you are looking for a new role or would like further information, please send across your up to date CV
If you know someone who would be a good fit for the role, please send over their contact details and get in touch, as we do offer a generous referral fee.
Look forward to speaking with you,
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £57,857.00-£60,975.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Work from home
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
- No weekends
Experience:
- Working with Elected Members: 1 year (required)
- Working with Chief Officers: 1 year (required)
- Local authority: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Association of Democratic Services Officer (ADSO) (preferred)
- Democratic Services Knowledge and Diploma in Local Democracy (preferred)
Work Location: Remote
Reference ID: Democratic Services Manager - Oxfordshire County Council
