Superintendent Registrar in London

To fulfil the statutory role of Superintendent Registrar at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in accordance with the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953, the Marriage Act 1949 and Civil Partnership Act 2004, ensuring the lawful, accurate and timely registration of births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships. The postholder leads and manages the Register Office as a distinct business unit, delivering high-quality, customer-focused services, ensuring legal compliance, and driving service improvement and modernisation. The role also contributes to Directorate and corporate leadership, represents the service strategically, and deputises for the Proper Officer as required.

Specific Accountabilities of the Role

• To be responsible for liaising with and understanding the working requirements with key external contacts such as General Register Office, Home Office, Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, Department of Work and Pensions, Local Primary Care Trust, Leaders of Faith Groups, Local businesses – funeral directors, wedding venues.
• Responsible for the delivery of all statutory services relating to the registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages, Civil Partnerships and Citizenship Ceremonies, meaning that Registration Service is available 24/7 to accommodate such requests as the provision of Registrar General’s Licence (deathbed) marriages as well as extensive service delivery during weekends for ceremonial occasions when senior staff must be present.
• To exercise the legal and statutory powers vested in the Superintendent Registrar role, including making decisions on whether a marriage or civil partnership ceremony may proceed, following appropriate training and authorisation.
• The postholder will be expected to develop and maintain a detailed working knowledge of registration, marriage and civil partnership legislation, and to build the confidence and professional judgement required to interpret and apply this legislation effectively in practice.
• Ensuring sound measures are in place for the performance management of the functional unit including targets and indicators suitably benchmarked which are either met or exceeded.
• Supervise and develop the Partnership Agreement with the London Borough of Havering for the registration of births.
• Ensuring the statutory requirements regarding Approved Premises licensing are maintained throughout the Borough.
• Inspect properties for suitability and advise licence holders where rectifications are necessary and reporting any difficulties with these procedures to the Proper Officer.
• To hold responsibility for building management and business continuity arrangements for the service, including establishing, maintaining and testing a Business Continuity Plan and ensuring the service is fully integrated into the Borough’s major incident and emergency planning.
• The postholder is the Responsible Person for the safety and management of Woodlands House, the Register Office site for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and is accountable for their own health and safety and that of colleagues, service users and members of the public.
• To lead, develop and support the ongoing development of the Register Office team, including mentoring staff and supporting the apprenticeship programme to build skills, capability and future capacity.
• The postholder is responsible for their own continuing professional development and for promoting a learning culture through participation in training and development activities.