Scrutiny Officer

West Yorkshire Combined Authority; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

28 days annual leave

Free bus and rail travel (MCard)

Local Government Pension Scheme

Professional development support

Volunteering days (up to 3)

Salary progression

Enhanced parental and bereavementleave

Counselling services 24/7

Headspace app access

Modern workspace near Leeds Station

Job summary

West Yorkshire Combined Authority in Leeds is seeking a Scrutiny Officer to support the Democratic Scrutiny Unit. The role focuses on research, analysis and briefing papers to assist the Scrutiny Committee in holding decisions to account.

Responsibilities include supporting meetings, delivering evidence-based recommendations, and enabling informed decision-making alongside elected Members and senior officers. Hybrid, full-time, 37 hours per week, with a salary of £38,412 per annum.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable political awareness, ability to operate effectively in a politically sensitive, public-facing environment and understanding of policy development, delivery and decision-making.
• Experience of working with senior leaders, elected members and other high-profile stakeholders, building relationships and providing credible advice and support.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to produce high-quality briefings, reports, presentations and correspondence tailored to a range of audiences.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan ahead, manage competing priorities, maintain attention to detail and work well under pressure.
• Experience of reviews, analysing complex information, identifying lines of enquiry and ensuring conclusions are supported by clear evidence.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of the Scrutiny Committee’s work programme, including formal meetings, site visits and other sessions, ensuring Members receive high-quality briefings, reports, minutes and administrative support.
• Conduct research and analysis of policies, decisions, programmes and performance information, providing clear, evidence-based advice and recommendations to support effective scrutiny and decision-making.
• Support scrutiny oversight, reviews, and task-and-finish exercises, working with elected Members, senior officers and external stakeholders to consider evidence, explore lines of enquiry and arrive at impactful conclusions.

Job description

Scrutiny Officer

£38,412 per annum - Grade 6

Leeds / Hybrid Full time / Permanent - 37 hours per week

Closing date – 11 November at 23:55

We currently have a vacancy for a Scrutiny Officer to join our Democratic Scrutiny Unit.

The Scrutiny Committee plays a vital role in democratic accountability and oversight, holding the Mayor and Combined Authority to account for decisions, delivery and performance. As a ‘critical friend’, it ensures good governance, policies, services, value for money and long‑term outcomes for local people. From April 2027, Scrutiny will take on significant new duties and powers to oversee public petitions, manage independent experts, conduct “Value for Money” and evaluation assessments, make reports to government and public agencies, scrutinise partners and contractors, and sanction non‑compliance.

As a Scrutiny Officer, you will be at the heart of this work, supporting the Committee with high-quality research, analysis, advice and briefings, manage reviews and inquiries, and ensure Members have the information and administrative support they need to do their job.

Our Offer

• Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi‑time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career.
• Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays.
• Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5).
• Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Investing in you –Take advantage of supported professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year.
• Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases.
• Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family‑friendly policies to support you when it matters most.
• Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends.
• Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2‑minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech.

The Role

• Support the delivery of the Scrutiny Committee’s work programme, including formal meetings, site visits and other sessions, ensuring Members receive high-quality briefings, reports, minutes and administrative support.
• Conduct research and analysis of policies, decisions, programmes and performance information, providing clear, evidence-based advice and recommendations to support effective scrutiny and decision‑making.
• Support scrutiny oversight, reviews, and task‑and‑finish exercises, working with elected Members, senior officers and external stakeholders to consider evidence, explore lines of enquiry and arrive at impactful conclusions.

Please review the Role Profile on our website for more information about the responsibilities.

About You

• Demonstrable political awareness, ability to operate effectively in a politically sensitive, public‑facing environment and understanding of policy development, delivery and decision‑making.
• Experience of working with senior leaders, elected members and other high‑profile stakeholders, building relationships and providing credible advice and support.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to produce high‑quality briefings, reports, presentations and correspondence tailored to a range of audiences.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan ahead, manage competing priorities, maintain attention to detail and work well under pressure.
• Experience of reviews, analysing complex information, identifying lines of enquiry and ensuring conclusions are supported by clear evidence.

Further Information

The Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, neuro‑divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage.

Under the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met