Apprentice Democratic Services Assistant

The Guildhall Northampton

Northampton

On-site

GBP 21,000 - 22,000

Full time

12 days ago

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Job summary

The Guildhall Northampton seeks an Apprentice Democratic Services Assistant to join the Democratic and Electoral Services team in Northampton. You will support council meeting administration, prepare agendas, publish reports and maintain records of decisions and committee business.

You’ll work toward a Level 4 Governance Officer Apprenticeship, starting January 2027, gaining valuable governance, local government and democratic services knowledge while developing organisational and project

Responsibilities

Provide administrative support across democratic and governance activities, organise council meetings, prepare agendas, publish reports and maintain records of decisions.
Support meetings such as the Schools Forum and Pensions Board, and assist with appeals processes and governance activities.
Coordinate correspondence, monitor inboxes, arrange meetings and support projects from planning to completion.

Job description

Vacancies

Apprentice Democratic Services Assistant

About The Role

Democracy and good governance play a vital role in shaping local communities, and this apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity to be part of that process. As an Apprentice Democratic Services Assistant, you'll join our award-winning Democratic and Electoral Services team, supporting the democratic functions that help West Northamptonshire Council make decisions on behalf of residents and communities every day.

Working towards a Level 4 Governance Officer Apprenticeship, you'll gain valuable experience while building specialist knowledge in governance, local government and democratic services. This role is ideal for someone who already has some administrative experience and is looking to take the next step in their career through a structured development opportunity. The successful candidate will start in January 2027, giving you time to prepare for the next stage of your professional journey.

You'll work with elected Members, senior officers, lawyers and members of the public, providing essential support that helps democratic processes run effectively and transparently. It's a fascinating area of local government where no two days are the same and where you'll gain exposure to decision-making at the heart of the Council.

What will you be doing?

You'll provide administrative support across a range of democratic and governance activities, helping to organise council meetings, prepare agendas, publish reports and maintain accurate records of decisions and committee business. You'll support key meetings, including the Schools Forum and Pensions Board, while also assisting with appeals processes, governance activities and enquiries from elected Members, officers, parents and members of the public.

Working alongside experienced colleagues, you'll learn how democratic processes operate and develop an understanding of local government governance, constitutions and committee procedures. You'll manage correspondence, monitor busy inboxes, coordinate meeting arrangements and support projects from planning through to completion, giving you the opportunity to develop strong organisational and project management skills.

As part of your apprenticeship, you'll be supported by a team with a strong reputation for mentoring and development. You'll have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to succeed within Democratic Services and local government.

About You

You're organised, curious and eager to learn. You already have some administrative experience and are looking for an opportunity to build a long‑term career while gaining a recognised qualification. You enjoy working with people, have excellent attention to detail and can manage competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of accuracy.

You're interested in governance, democracy, local government or public services and enjoy understanding how decisions are made. Confident communicating with a wide range of people, you're not afraid to ask questions, challenge assumptions and learn from new experiences. You'll be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where professionalism, impartiality and discretion are important.

Most importantly, you'll bring a positive attitude, a willingness to develop and a genuine interest in making a difference to local communities. In return, you'll join an award-winning team that is passionate about supporting and developing future talent, helping you build a successful career while living our THRIVE values every day.

Our benefits

You can also see our full list of employee benefits on our careers site here: Why you should work for us | West Northamptonshire Council.

About Us

At West Northants Council, it's about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.

Our vision is 'to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive'. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services. Hear from our Chief Executive, Martin Henry, about building a career at WNC.

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion is woven into the fabric of WNC and everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and maximise their full potential. We are a disability confident employer, a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and a Care Leaver Covenant partner.

The following film was created by us to communicate our intentions - watch WNC colleagues explain what DEI means to us.

If you need additional support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, including needing the job description in another format or language, please email careers@westnorthants.gov.uk for support.

We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so we recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

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