At a Glance
- Tasks: Support democratic processes and provide high-quality administrative support to the Council.
- Company: Join Basildon Borough Council, a key local authority in Essex.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, temp-to-perm opportunity, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and a fulfilling role in public service.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that makes a difference in the community and enhances local governance.
- Qualifications: Experience in administrative support for committees and excellent organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 20374 - 26129 £ per year.
Basildon, Essex
£20.374 PAYE / £26.129 Umbrella Temp-to-Perm
36.25 Hours per Week
Closing Date: Monday 21st September 2026
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Basildon Council to recruit a Governance Officer on a temp-to-perm basis. Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate will be required to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week.
MAIN PURPOSE
The Governance Officer supports the Council’s democratic and decision-making processes by providing high-quality committee, member and executive support. Working as part of a small team, the post helps ensure meetings are well managed, compliant with the Constitution, relevant legislation and corporate standards, and supported by effective governance arrangements. The role provides support to Council committees, partnerships and internal working groups, including agenda preparation, meeting attendance, constitutional advice, minute production, follow-up actions and clear communication of deadlines.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The role will require evening attendance at meetings.
Accountabilities
- Develop and maintain an understanding of local government democratic processes, with support and direction from senior officers.
- Provide administrative support for the Executive, committees, sub-committees, Partnerships and officer or councillor groups.
- Attend meetings where councillors are present and represent the Service as required.
- Arrange and clerk meetings, prepare agendas, reports and minutes, and ensure decisions and actions are accurately recorded and communicated in line with the Council’s Constitution.
- Coordinate appointments to Outside Bodies, including nominations, Annual Council reporting, outcome notifications and member contact arrangements.
- Responsible for the arrangement of Training for Members as and when required as directed.
- Managing the record of any Member training.
- New Member starter administration.
- Actively promote and comply with the Council’s diversity and equality policies.
- You must ensure that you comply at all times with the General Data Protection Act, relating to personal information held by the Council.
- Any other duties appropriate to the post: These other duties must be equivalent to or below the salary and status of the role and, where appropriate, under the Equality Act 2010, due consideration must be given to any employees with a “protected characteristic”.
- Undertake all the duties within the framework of Equal Opportunities.
- You must cooperate in all matters relating to Health and Safety and implement all procedures for your job role.
- The identification of Health and Safety related risks within the working environment must be highlighted to your management.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Demonstrable experience of managing and providing administrative support to formal committees and partnerships i.e. production of agendas and minutes and adhering to statutory deadlines whilst maintaining the strictest confidentiality.
- Excellent organisational skills and ability to cope with challenging workloads.
- Excellent I.T skills, including experience of the use of report management systems and streaming/webcasting.
- Knowledge of Mod.Gov.
- Excellent written communication skills including the ability to write quality reports and minutes of meetings.
- Ability to work under pressure and in sometimes difficult emotional situations at the same time as maintaining high standards.
Why choose Basildon Council?
Basildon Borough Council is one of the largest local authorities in the East of England region and serves a population of approximately 172,000 people. The town of Basildon is regarded as a key economic hub with the main areas of employment being engineering, research and development, distribution and financial services. Basildon is also the second biggest economy in the Thames Gateway, outside of Canary Wharf. Working for Basildon Borough Council means making a practical and positive difference to the lives of people living and working in the Borough and provides a fulfilling career. Each of our employees - whatever job role they are undertaking - can feel motivated by having a unique opportunity to use their skills to make Basildon a better place to live. Whether it is conserving our countryside, by regenerating our Borough, by housing our residents or by collecting the refuse on time.
Note: ECC are advertising this role on behalf of Basildon Council. Basildon Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults, and expects all employees, contractors and volunteers to share its commitment to prevent abuse, harm or exploitation. The Council applies a robust recruitment vetting process. If you are successful you will need to undergo a Pre-employment Vetting Procedure.
What you should do next
If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via Working for Essex website. If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email Ashleigh.Drake@essex.gov.uk
Governance Officer – Basildon Borough Council employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for Social Workers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people with disabilities. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, innovative practices, and professional development, our team enjoys a nine-day working fortnight and numerous opportunities for growth within a dynamic local authority. Join us in Chelmsford, where your contributions will be valued, and together we can empower the next generation to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Governance Officer – Basildon Borough Council
✨Get Engaged in Local Politics
Dive into your local council meetings or community boards. These spaces are packed with people who are already in the public sector and might have insider tips on upcoming temporary roles. Plus, you can connect directly with key decision-makers.
✨Stay Alert for Seasonal Recruitment
Many public sector jobs ramp up during certain times of the year, especially around election seasons or local budget planning periods. Keep your eyes peeled for recruitment drives during these windows, as they're prime times for temporary positions.
✨Leverage Online Job Portals
Don’t forget to check government job boards or websites like the local council's site for temporary postings. This is where many roles first get advertised, and applying directly here can speed things up.
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If you're at university, make the most of your career services to discover opportunities in the public sector. They often have connections with local government employers who are looking for temporary staff and can help you polish your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Governance Officer – Basildon Borough Council
Some tips for your application 🫡
Emphasise your understanding of public policy:In your application, make sure to highlight any knowledge or experience you have related to public policy, governance or community engagement. Show us how you can contribute to the public sector’s mission, especially if you've worked on relevant projects or initiatives before!
Tailor your CV to the sector's expectations:When crafting your CV, focus on including experiences that showcase your ability to work within government structures or similar environments. Use clear, concise language and consider adding any volunteer work or internships that reflect your commitment to public service.
Show flexibility and willingness to learn:Since this is a temporary role, it’s crucial to convey your adaptability and eagerness to pick up new skills quickly. In your cover letter, let us know how you plan to make the most of this short-term experience and what you hope to learn from it.
Include relevant certificates and training:If you've completed any training or have certifications that are relevant to the role (like public administration, project management, or data analysis), don't forget to mention them. These can really make you stand out in the application process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Public Service
In the government and public sector, showing that you're genuinely passionate about serving the community is key. Get ready to share examples where you've contributed to social good or tackled community issues, as this will resonate with interviewers from Essex County Council.
✨Prepare for Policy and Regulatory Questions
Expect questions about policies, regulations, or recently implemented government initiatives. Brush up on the latest news relating to public sector developments—being informed will help you demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running, especially in a temporary role.
✨Flexibility is Your Best Friend
Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly. Share examples where you've successfully taken on new challenges or adjusted to different team dynamics, that'll show Essex County Council that you’re reliable and can effectively support various projects without a long onboarding process.
✨Prepare to Showcase Teamwork Skills
In the public sector, collaboration is vital. Be ready to discuss past experiences working in teams, especially in diverse environments. Highlight how you've contributed positively to group settings—this could really set you apart from other candidates in this temporary role.
