Democratic Services Officer

Democratic Services Officer

Part time (Between 22.2 hours - 28 hours per week)

Permanent, £20,970.49 - £23,902.92 per annum for 28 hours per week (FTE £27,711 - £31,586)

This is a part time role based in Malvern and is part of a small team who assist the Corporate Governance Manager with the efficient and effective administration of Malvern Hills District Council Governance department.

This role will be helping to cover and support all necessary council committee meetings, sub committees, working groups and panel meetings in accordance with the requirements of the Council’s constitution and all relevant statutory legislation/regulations and guidance.

Our main meetings take place on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, so you will need to be able to work outside normal office hours. On average, this would be two or three evenings per month with less during the summer.

Once settled into the role, you will be expected to provide advice and support to all councillors in relation to governance, decision making, and democratic processes, as well as help members with their personal development as a councillor. Organising training and keeping up to date the members online information area is something that you would regularly be involved with.

You will also provide administrative support for both District Councillors and Parish Council Clerks to ensure that the register of member interests is kept up to date on the Council’s website.

In addition to the main areas of work above, you will also be expected to assist our elections team at peak times and be involved with assisting with matters such as Ombudsman complaints, assets of community value nominations, and highway consultations.

As with all our members of staff, you will demonstrate commitment to delivering the Council's values of great customer service, openness and accountability, innovation and improvement, and fairness and respect.

About you

The successful candidate will have:

• At least 2 A Levels at grades A-C (or equivalent qualification), although applications from candidates with a minimum two years relevant committee administration experience may also be considered. A good pass at GCSE English is essential.
• A minimum of one year’s relevant administration experience in supporting committees, working groups, panels, or similar.
• Experience of drafting agendas and minutes.
• Political awareness and sensitivity.
• An ability to deal with confidential and sensitive matters.
• Good organisation, communication, and written skills.
• Ability to produce accurate work to tight deadlines.
• Good IT skills.
• An ability to work flexibly.

In addition, you will also need to act in an efficient and professional manner at all times, demonstrate good people skills, be self-motivated, and manage your own work with little supervision. All our staff are expected to treat individuals with fairness and respect at all times.

What we can offer

Our staff are at the heart of what we do, and as a result, we are always looking to recruit, develop and retain the very best talent we can find. So, as well as a rewarding career, we offer a range of attractive benefits, such as:

• Excellent pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Generous annual leave entitlement with options to purchase additional annual leave.
• Committed training programme and development opportunities.
• Discounted gym and swim membership.
• Health and wellbeing support and a free Employee Assistance scheme including access to counselling services.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Employee discounts with a range of companies including EE and the Kaarp discount scheme.

We are an employer that values face-to-face communication, collaboration, and connection; therefore, all our roles have an office-based requirement with some agile working as part of the role.

To discuss the post or for further information, please call Heather Peachey, Head of Legal Services on 01684 862348.

Closing date: Monday 5 May 2025
Interview date: Thursday 15 May 2025

Please note if we experience a high intake of applications, we may close the role and interview for the position sooner than advertised.

Attached documents
Employee Benefits
Job Description