Democratic Services Officer (Temporary for Six-Months) in Sheffield

Democratic Services Officer (Temporary for Six-Months) in Sheffield

Sheffield Temporary 35570 - 35570 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
South Yorkshire Pensions Authority

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support elected councillors and manage meetings for governance and corporate services.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking pensions authority with a strong public sector ethos.
  • Benefits: Generous leave, flexible hours, wellbeing initiatives, and a salary-related pension scheme.
  • Other info: Modern office environment with excellent transport links and career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in local governance while enjoying a supportive work culture.
  • Qualifications: Experience in business support or administration, with strong communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 35570 - 35570 £ per year.

£29,542 to £35,570 per annum + benefits

6-month Fixed Term Contract Until June 2027, Full Time (35 hours per week)

Salary on appointment will be dependent upon qualification level and experience and in line with the requirements stipulated on the role profile at either Level 1 or Level 2.

Are you looking for a new challenge in a varied and interesting role? If so, we have an exciting opportunity to join our friendly and forward-looking team here at South Yorkshire Pensions Authority on a fixed term basis. The Democratic Services Officer role sits in our highly collaborative Governance and Corporate Services team and involves a wide range of duties supporting the elected councillors and other members of our Authority, Committees and Local Pension Board.

Who we are:

As a democratically accountable, single purpose pensions authority, we are both a local authority and a pension fund. We are responsible for administering the local government pension scheme for the four councils and other local government-related employers in South Yorkshire – managing a pension fund of over £12 billion, serving nearly 180,000 scheme members. As a local government body ourselves, we have a public sector ethos and place a great deal of importance on our organisational values and behaviours – which are all about being honest and accountable, professional, progressive, and empowering. We have a culture that encourages work-life balance, and we offer flexible working hours. Our Barnsley office provides a state-of-the-art working environment with free on-site parking and located within 10 minutes' walk of both the train and bus stations; it makes us easily accessible.

What you'll be doing:

  • Working directly with elected and co-opted Authority Members, Local Pension Board members and senior officers, you'll provide professional support to their formal meetings.
  • In this varied and fast-paced role, you will work within a team responsible for co-ordination of Authority, Committee, and Local Pension Board meetings, including preparing and publishing agenda packs, producing minutes, scheduling work programmes and ensuring decisions are recorded and published.
  • This is an exciting time to take up this role as we respond to a range of new governance requirements in the LGPS.
  • You'll play a key part in supporting the learning and development of our Authority, Committee and Board members, including promoting and organising an annual programme of training and events to meet their needs, and keeping them up to date through regular monthly updates.
  • You will respond to email, telephone and face-to-face enquiries, providing advice, guidance and information, while working collaboratively with colleagues and external partners to resolve issues effectively.

What you'll be able to offer:

  • You will have recent experience in a business support, democratic support or administrative role, and be able to demonstrate some knowledge and interest of working in corporate or public sector governance.
  • You will have the ability to work accurately whilst dealing with deadlines and different priorities, and will communicate professionally and effectively, working well with others to achieve objectives.
  • You will have strong attention to detail and the ability to understand and apply regulations and policies.
  • Experience of working within a public sector environment or within local government democratic services would be advantageous.
  • Educated to Level 2 or 3 standard, or able to evidence equivalent knowledge or experience.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and accurately in a range of situations.
  • Good IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications such as Word and Excel.

What's in it for you:

  • We have a generous annual leave policy that offers between 28 days and 36 days annual leave per year depending on length of service, plus all statutory bank holidays and you can accrue and take up to 13 extra days leave per year by utilising Flexitime.
  • We have several work-life balance policies including a Flexible Working Hours policy (Flexitime) which allows you to work your contracted hours to suit both you and the team that you are working in.
  • You'll automatically be enrolled into the LGPS (Local Government Pension Scheme) which provides a salary-related pension, to which the employer contributes.
  • We offer a range of wellbeing initiatives including regular webinars on health & wellbeing, fresh fruit, tea, coffee, and employer provided flu vaccination vouchers each year.
  • We also organise regular social and charity events.
  • We offer a 24/7 confidential helpline, access to workplace counselling and Occupational Health.
  • Access to a range of benefits and discounts through the Wider Wallet scheme.
  • Centrally located modern office for public transport links and staff on-site parking available.

Closing Date – Friday 13th November 2026 at 12pm

Interview Date – Friday 20th November 2026

We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward should enough quality applications be received prior to the current closing date.

Democratic Services Officer (Temporary for Six-Months) in Sheffield employer: South Yorkshire Pensions Authority

South Yorkshire Pensions Authority is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values work-life balance through flexible hours and a generous leave policy. Employees benefit from continuous professional development opportunities, including training in technical aspects of pensions, making it an ideal environment for those looking to grow their expertise while contributing to a reputable pension fund in Sheffield.

South Yorkshire Pensions Authority

Contact Details:

South Yorkshire Pensions Authority Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Democratic Services Officer (Temporary for Six-Months) in Sheffield

✨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.

✨Tap Into Your University Resources

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 Democratic Services Officer (Temporary for Six-Months) in Sheffield

Business Support
Democratic Support
Administrative Skills
Knowledge of Corporate Governance
Public Sector Experience
Attention to Detail
Time Management

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 South Yorkshire Pensions Authority

✨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 South Yorkshire Pensions Authority.

✨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 South Yorkshire Pensions Authority 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.