Democratic Services Officer

Morson Talent are working with a Local Government organisation within the Transport industry who are looking to bring in a Democratic Services Officer to join their legal team on an initial 3-6 month contract. The candidate will be a proactive and solution-focused team member of Legal and Democratic Services, working closely with a team of executive/personal assistants.

The purpose of the Democratic Services Officer is to provide efficient and high-quality support to decision-making processes and meetings including administrative support to meetings, providing accurate support and advice to the senior officers, public and Members, and developing/maintaining a good working understanding of relevant Constitution sections and related procedures. The role will also include providing wider administrative support to colleagues as necessary.

Role requirements

1. Experience of local government democratic services and functions.
2. Support the administration and co-ordination of efficient, effective and transparent decision-making processes.
3. Provide high quality administrative support to a range of decision-making and/or other meetings as allocated by the Head of Legal Services.
4. Service a range of executive and non-executive meetings to facilitate the smooth, effective and transparent running of business, including working alongside Communication and IT colleagues to support effective web casting/recording of meetings.
5. Ensure that all documentation (e.g. agendas, minutes, notices, forward plan etc) is of good quality, accurate and dispatched efficiently, on time and in compliance with legal or other agreed timescales.
6. Ensure effective communication and publicity for meetings.
7. Work independently and accurately to ensure key commitments and deadlines are met, liaising with internal partners, senior officers, external democratic services officers, and political leaders to ensure that decision-making functions operate appropriately, efficiently and transparently while also enabling good public engagement.
8. Ensure proper maintenance of all relevant documents and archives relating to decision-making meetings.
9. Provide general administrative support across the business, as necessary and directed by Head of Legal/Head of Corporate Office.

Skills and experience

1. Experience of working within local government or a similar organisation and providing high-quality administrative/clerking support to formal decision-making Committees.
2. Understanding of the work of local government, experience of the coordination and administration of public meetings, and an appreciation of the political nature of this sector.
3. Understanding of how software and electronic tools can support efficient and transparent decision making, preferably including use/knowledge of the Modern.gov Committee Software System.
4. Experience of working with and developing effective working relationships with senior figures within an organisation.
5. Experience of providing guidance and advice on procedural matters (including the appropriate Terms of Reference, Constitutional related matters, and other relevant legislation and/or statutory guidance) to Chairpersons, Members, and Officers.
6. Experience of producing minutes (including minute taking at formal meetings), ensuring that discussions and decisions at meetings are accurately reflected and communicated, and that appropriate action arising from such meetings is undertaken and properly co-ordinated.
7. Excellent communication skills with the ability to handle with tact and diplomacy the sensitive relationships between members, officers, elected representatives, and members of the public. The post-holder will be expected to act in a politically neutral way at all times.
8. Delivery focused, with the ability to prioritise and excellent organisational skills.