Strategic Member Advisor (INTERNAL) in London

This position is open to internal candidates employed by LBB. Any applications received from external candidates will not be considered and will be automatically rejected.

Important Information for Current Barnet Council Employees: Where possible, employees who have access to Oracle are encouraged to apply via the Opportunity Marketplace (Internal Career Site). This helps to ensure applications are correctly identified as internal and avoids potential delays during the recruitment process.

About Barnet Council: Barnet is a borough with much to be proud of. Our excellent schools, vibrant town centres, vast green spaces and diverse communities all help make it a great place to live and work. As a council we want to build on these strengths as we move into the future. We are growing and developing as an organisation to meet the challenges facing our borough and we are committed to working with partner organisations and residents to make Barnet even better. As an organisation, our staff are committed to Our Values: Learning to Improve, Caring, Inclusive, Collaborative – which drive everything we do.

The role of the Strategic Member Advisor is to work closely with Senior Members, providing comprehensive and high-quality, strategic policy advice and support. Senior Members include the Leader of the Opposition, Committee Chairs, and Shadow Cabinet Members. The Strategic Member Advisor supports Senior Members with the development of policy and strategy. They will offer policy analysis and advice, shape the approach to communications and provide Members with perspectives on service delivery and policy options taking into account advice from Executive Directors and senior officers, acting at all times in the best interests of the council.

The Strategic Member Advisor will line manage a Political Assistant, ensuring that the political assistant complies with the requirements of that role and that there is a clear distinction between that post holder and other officers. This role does not include provision of political advice, and the post holder is not permitted to canvass on behalf of a political party or individual elected member. This post is politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Therefore, they are not able to influence the public in a party political way.

About you: You must have knowledge of all aspects of local government organisation and services with detailed, up to date understanding of local, regional and national political issues and how they relate to and impact on the local authority. You must have extensive experience of working in highly complex and political environments research and analysis, and policy briefings in a Local Authority or similar context as well as working in a political environment with politicians and senior officers. In addition, the successful post holder will have experience of undertaking complex policy research into local government issues and to contribute to the development of Group policy.

What we offer:

• 31 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, which provides a valuable guaranteed income in your retirement together with security for your dependents
• A comprehensive Flexible Working Policy which supports work-life balance by empowering staff and management to make decisions around when, where, and how work is done
• A vast range of lifestyle discounts from major retailers, supermarkets, energy suppliers and more
• Broad range of payroll benefits including cycle to work, eye care vouchers, travel and gym membership
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Employee well-being training programs including confidential employee assistance

How to apply: Read the job description and person specification before clicking ‘Apply’ to commence the online application form. If you would like any further information about the role before applying, please contact Andrew Charlwood, Head of Governance Andrew.Charlwood@barnet.gov.uk.

Barnet Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Barnet operates stringent safer recruitment procedures, this may include AI Detection Screening, Biometric ID/Right to Work Checks, Qualification and Registration Checks, Up to 6 years of Employment Data and Insights to Accelerate Screening (Konfir), Up to 5 years of Employment History References, DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Checks, Credit Checks and Social Media, Sanctions and Occupational Health Screening.

To deliver Barnet Council’s commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Barnet Council embraces all forms of flexible working (including part-time, compressed hours, and hybrid working) and is committed to offering employees a healthy work-life balance. Candidates are encouraged to talk about relevant requirements and preferences at interview. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking.

Barnet Council is a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process.

All posts with the council are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the council satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you will be employed.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

Please ensure you regularly check the email account (including JUNK MAIL folders) that you use to submit your application, as any further communication regarding your application will be sent electronically. Should you not hear from us within four working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted.