Political Assistant

Hull City Council; Hull and East Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a Research and Political Support Officer to assist the Majority Opposition Group Leader. The role involves providing political advice, managing relationships with the press, and supporting councillors in a politically sensitive environment. Ideal candidates should have experience in local government work, strong organizational skills, and a high level of IT literacy.

Qualifications

• Experience or clear interest in political or local government work.
• Membership of the Labour Party or alignment with its beliefs and values.
• Knowledge of local authority functions and councillor roles.

Responsibilities

• Provide political advice and support to the Majority Opposition Group Leader.
• Draft and present reports while liaising with outside bodies.
• Ensure key decisions from Group meetings are swiftly implemented.

Skills

Political advice

Working with the press

Social media management

High IT literacy

Organizational skills

Initiative

Job description

Overview

Fixed term, to meet the requirements of Section 9 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989

Responsibilities

• Providing research, political advice and support to the Majority Opposition Group Leader and Labour councillors in Hull, you will draft and present reports, provide high quality support, plan agendas, attend and minute meetings and liaise with outside bodies and the press on behalf of the Labour Group.
• You will assist the group in its relationship with the local press and proactively ensure that the group's messages are developed and communicated widely, through a variety of media outlets.
• At the same time, you will ensure that key decisions from Group meetings are swiftly implemented and proactively identify issues of political interest, whilst supporting councillors with public speaking engagements and formal council questions and motions.
• You will be knowledgeable about the functions of a local authority and will be familiar with the roles of councillors and political party groups and will be able to work in a politically sensitive environment.
• Equally importantly, you will bring considerable initiative to support the Majority Opposition Group to undertake their role, and will display a very organised and self-motivated approach, backed by a high level of IT literacy and a sensitive approach to managing confidential information.
• Finally, you will need to be able to understand the diverse needs of the Labour Group and balance individual councillors' demands and expectations.
• As well as taking direction from the Leader of the Group you will work closely with the Group Whip and Democratic and Member Support colleagues.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Experience or clear interest in political or local government work; ability to deal with the press, manage social media outlets and provide political advice to senior local politicians.
• Membership of the Labour Party or alignment with the party's beliefs and values.
• Knowledge of the functions of a local authority and familiarity with the roles of councillors and political party groups in a politically sensitive environment.
• Ability to work in a politically sensitive environment with initiative, strong organisation, and high IT literacy; ability to manage confidential information.
• Ability to understand diverse needs of the Labour Group and balance councillors' demands and expectations.
• Ability to work under direction from the Leader of the Group and to collaborate with the Group Whip and Democratic and Member Support colleagues.

Disability Confident

Disability Confident
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