Democratic Services Officer in London

Main Purpose of Job: To be responsible for servicing Council committees, sub-committees, working parties, other member-level bodies, and key officer groups supporting decision making. To be familiar with the democratic arrangements in the Council and to advise Chairs, members and officers in the interpretation of Standing Orders, governance arrangements, decision-making processes and other procedural matters. To record decisions of meetings, write and process questions, references and Council reports, notify officers and Members promptly of Committee decisions, allocate and notify those concerned of action to be taken. To service quasi-judicial bodies (e.g. education admission and exclusion appeals) and at those meetings to give appropriate advice to members, staff and the public to ensure that proceedings accord with relevant legislation, principles of natural justice and internal procedures. To undertake special projects to improve the services provided by Democratic Services.

Summary of Duties: To take responsibility for servicing any of the Council’s formally constituted bodies or other informal meetings in accordance with the Council’s procedures. To develop detailed knowledge of local government administrative law. To be responsible to the Chief Executive, without reference to her/him, in accordance with the Council’s corporate arrangements for report preparation and submission, for the content of all committee reports within the work areas allocated and prescribed deadlines. To research and prepare replies for signature by the Leader of the Council, the Mayor etc. To assist the Deputy Democratic Services Manager in the development and implementation of the political structure for the Council in line with legislative framework. To advise on and support different methods of community involvement utilized within the Council, including public notice questions, petitions, speaking rights at public meetings and any other specially designed democratic engagement tool as appropriate and relevant. As directed by the Deputy Democratic Services Manager, to participate in corporate initiatives linked with a rigorous regime of performance indicators and efficiency measures in the provisions of services. To undertake all duties with regard to Health and Safety legislation and equality of opportunity. To undertake any other project work as may from time to time be directed by the Deputy Democratic Services Manager. To take responsibility, appropriate to the post for tackling racism and promoting good race, ethnic and community relations.

Criteria: S1 To attend evening meetings on a regular basis.

Knowledge: A degree or equivalent experience. Knowledge and experience of working within a democratic services role. Knowledge of modern governance, similar committee management system, database or customer relationship management (CRM) system and experience of using the system daily, using a variety of functions within the system to enhance management processes and procedures and to develop new projects to assist the organisation.

Experience: E1 Experience of servicing committees, working parties and quasi-judicial meetings. E2 Experience of drafting formal and sometimes complex letters, reports, and/or minutes and notes of meetings. E4 Experience of providing advice to councillors and officers on decision making processes and constitutional matters.