Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Council's scrutiny function and support Members in evaluating policies and performance.
- Company: Join Sandwell Council, a values-driven organisation making a real impact in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 31 days annual leave, hybrid working, and fantastic training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to employee development await you.
- Why this job: Make a lasting difference to residents while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in local government and strong organisational skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 41511 - 46731 £ per year.
Grade/Salary: Band G (£41,511 to £46,731) | Contract Type: Permanent | Hours: Full-time (37 hours), flexible working
Sandwell Council’s Democratic Services Division is seeking an enthusiastic, driven and experienced Scrutiny Officer to support the effective delivery and continuous improvement of the Council’s overview and scrutiny function. This role plays a vital part in strengthening democratic accountability, supporting Elected Members to challenge, review and influence decision‑making, and helping to improve outcomes for residents. You will work closely with Members, senior officers and external partners in a complex political environment, providing high‑quality professional advice, co‑ordinating scrutiny activity and ensuring the Council’s scrutiny arrangements operate effectively and transparently.
Responsibilities
- Lead on the delivery and continuous improvement of the Council’s scrutiny function, supporting Members to challenge, question and evaluate policies, performance and strategic priorities
- Support the Statutory Scrutiny Officer on all aspects of scrutiny, including the development of work programmes, co‑ordination of reviews, evidence gathering and stakeholder engagement
- Monitor, track and evaluate scrutiny recommendations and their impact, including preparing the annual scrutiny update report to Council
- Provide high‑quality professional advice and support to scrutiny committees, task and finish groups and individual Members
- Contribute to the design and delivery of an effective Member development programme, supporting learning and continuous improvement
Attributes
- Strong experience of local government committee administration, with a comprehensive understanding of overview and scrutiny legislation and practice
- The ability to provide clear, confident and impartial advice to Elected Members and officers
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work flexibly in a fast‑paced environment
- A high level of attention to detail, with a commitment to producing accurate, high‑quality work and reports
Why Sandwell Council?
At Sandwell Council, our work has a real impact. We are proud to be a values led organisation that supports its employees with excellent benefits, a competitive remuneration package, and a strong focus on development. By joining us, you’ll play a key role in delivering services that make a real and lasting difference to thousands of people across the borough.
Benefits
- Competitive market salary and 31 Days Annual leave (Excluding bank holidays)
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Hybrid Working and Flexible working options
- Fantastic training and development opportunities
- A supportive, inclusive and ambitious working environment
How to apply
Please submit a CV and supporting statement to Stephnie_Hancock@sandwell.gov.uk or click on the ‘Apply for Job’ button below. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a high number of applications be received. Applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. If you are an internal candidate and currently at risk, please let the recruiting manager know. If you wish to apply as Care Leaver or a Disability Confident candidate, please make sure to state this when submitting your CV. If you have a disability and require assistance in submitting your CV, please contact Stephnie_Hancock@sandwell.gov.uk
Deadline for applications: Tuesday 19 May 2026
Scrutiny Officer, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in Devon employer: Association Of Democratic Services Officers
Contact Detail:
Association Of Democratic Services Officers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Scrutiny Officer, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in Devon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Sandwell Council on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and help us stand out in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching recent scrutiny reports from Sandwell Council. This shows us that we’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their mission of improving outcomes for residents.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our responses to common interview questions, especially around local government and scrutiny processes. The more confident we are, the better we’ll communicate our skills and experience!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through the Sandwell Council website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Scrutiny Officer, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in Devon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Scrutiny Officer role. Highlight your experience in local government and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Organisational Skills: Since the role requires excellent organisational skills, give examples of how you've managed competing priorities in the past. We love to see how you handle fast-paced environments and keep everything on track!
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get a lot of applications, so get your CV and supporting statement in as soon as possible through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Association Of Democratic Services Officers
✨Know Your Scrutiny Stuff
Make sure you brush up on local government committee administration and overview and scrutiny legislation. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just interested in the role, but that you understand its importance in strengthening democratic accountability.
✨Prepare for Real-World Scenarios
Think about potential challenges or scenarios you might face as a Scrutiny Officer. Prepare examples of how you would support Members in questioning and evaluating policies. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and your ability to work in a complex political environment.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Since this role requires excellent organisational skills, be ready to discuss how you manage competing priorities. You could share specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully coordinated multiple tasks or projects simultaneously.
✨Engage with the Council's Values
Familiarise yourself with Sandwell Council’s values and behaviours. During the interview, relate your personal values to theirs and express how you can contribute to their mission of making a real impact in the community. This will help you stand out as a candidate who aligns with their goals.