Senior Democratic Services Officer

Position : Senior Democratic Services Officer Location : 25 Windsor Road, Slough, SL1 2EJ Start Date: ASAP Contract Duration: 6+ Months Working Hours: 37 hours per week Pay Rate: PAYE: £ 277.80 Per day Job Reference: OR(phone number removed)

Job Responsibilities

• Act as the lead officer for allocated committees, panels, scrutiny groups and appeal panels.

• Prepare and distribute agendas, reports, work plans, minutes, notices and action logs in line with statutory and local deadlines.

• Attend formal meetings, including evening meetings, to provide clerking, governance and procedural support.

• Provide accurate procedural and constitutional advice to councillors, officers and members of the public.

• Support the council s decision-making processes and democratic governance arrangements.

• Research a range of topics and prepare reports, briefings and recommendations for consideration by members.

• Draft policies, reports and briefing documents and present information where required.

• Support the delivery of member training and development programmes, including new member induction.

• Build effective working relationships with councillors, officers, partner organisations and members of the public.

• Prepare and issue statutory notices and other formal documentation.

• Support areas including complaints handling, petitions, member records, freedom of information requests, subject access requests and governance projects.

• Provide guidance, supervision and mentoring to junior team members.

• Deputise for the Local Democracy Manager when required.

• Maintain confidentiality and comply with data protection requirements.

• Keep up to date with developments in local government governance and democratic services best practice.

• Provide support during civil emergencies and elections-related activities when required.

Person Specification Must-Have Requirements Experience

• Experience providing procedural, technical or specialist advice to a range of stakeholders.

• Demonstrable experience working within Democratic Services, Committee Services or Scrutiny Services.

• Experience managing complex administrative tasks and competing priorities.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to research information and produce clear, accurate and well-structured reports.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

• Ability to work sensitively within a political environment while maintaining confidentiality.

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to oversee the work of others.

• Strong IT skills, including experience using standard office software and ability to learn new systems quickly.

• Ability to develop positive working relationships with councillors, officers, partners and members of the public.

• Excellent written and spoken English skills, including proofreading ability.

• Ability to work independently and contribute effectively within a team.

• Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills.

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Detailed knowledge of democratic, committee and/or scrutiny services procedures and legislation.

• English language qualification equivalent to GCSE Grade 4 (A C) or above.

• Eligibility to work in the UK.

• CV submission required.

Nice-to-Have Requirements

• Experience using Modern.gov committee management software.

• Relevant professional qualification, such as an ADSO Certificate in Democratic Services Knowledge or ADSO Diploma in Local Democracy.

• Evidence of further or higher education.