Labour Group Political Assistant Bath, England
Job description
Hours: 23 per week
Contract Type: Fixed Term (until 30/06/2027)
Service Area: People and Policy
Department: Legal and Democratic Services
An exciting opportunity has arisen for the role of Political Assistant to the Labour Group on Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The Political Assistant role is unique within the Council in that it directly supports the Labour Group in undertaking research and policy development, providing administration support and communications advice to Councillors, drafting documentation, as well as supporting Group meetings and councillors’ participation in meetings of the Council and committees.
You will be working closely with the Labour Group Leader, Robin Moss as well as providing support to the Councillors within the wider Labour Group (7 elected members in total). This will involve working alongside Councillors to further the aims of the Labour Group within the Council, liaising with Council officers on behalf of the Group, and supporting Councillors in highlighting the Group’s policies and achievements.
The ideal candidate will be a strong self-starter, able to work alone and under their own initiative, with a good understanding of both politics and local government and educated to degree level or equivalent with excellent communication and writing skills. Ideally, you will also have an understanding of the main political issues within Bath & North East Somerset, as well as an understanding of modern communication tools. You should be able to give sound, clear advice on complex issues with a high degree of political sensitivity. You should be able to act at pace and work effectively with elected members, senior officers within the Council and external stakeholders.
Due to statutory restrictions on the role, the post is Politically Restricted and is for a fixed term until 30 June 2027. Following the Council elections in May 2027, the post may be re-appointed on a four-year contract.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. A disclosure check with the DBS will be undertaken.
The Council will shortly be advertising a number of part time Political Assistant or Political Group Support officer roles, but it is not possible to combine these roles due to their political nature.
Qualifications: Educated to degree level of equivalent.
Why B&NES Council?
We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. These include:
- A competitive salary package
- A range of flexible working and hybrid working options, including flexi-time, four regional offices and home-working, dependent on service requirements
- A generous holiday allowance and special leave provisions
- The Local Government Pension Scheme
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme – whatever life throws at you; we are committed to supporting you and your well-being at work and home
- Professional and personal development including in-house training and accredited qualifications including Aspiring Manager and Leadership Development
- Discount scheme including the VECTIS card that offers numerous local discounts including cycle to work and free entry to numerous local attractions with B&NES
Interested to find out more?
If you are interested in this post and require more details after reading the job description or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Michael Hewitt on 01225 395125 or email [email protected]
To apply
Please use the online application facility.
For further information on applying please see “Application Form Help” page on the Jobs website.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives. We have four core values which shape every aspect of our working life and how we look to the future. These values are to be Bold, Empowered, Supportive and Transparent.
Please explain in your application how you could incorporate these values into the role you are applying for.
As an equal opportunities employer, Bath & North East Somerset Council is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and is opposed to discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender reassignment, or marriage and civil partnership.
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us.
Interview Date: Friday 1st September 2023.
The start date will be as soon as possible after the appointment is made.
Safeguarding Statement:
The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.
As this post involves working within one of these groups, we will require a Disclosure & Barring Service check and/or subscription to the DBS online service. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment.
Please note the Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register. This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role, they will be interviewed before any shortlisting or interviewing of external candidates.
