At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Labour Group with meetings, research, and correspondence in a dynamic political environment.
- Company: Join Southwark Council, a diverse and innovative borough committed to community service.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a local government pension, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Guaranteed interviews for specific groups to promote diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in local governance while developing your skills in a vibrant setting.
- Qualifications: Organised, discreet, and confident in handling sensitive information and working collaboratively.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Our Service Southwark is one of London’s most diverse and innovative boroughs. The council works in a complex political, social and economic environment, with decisions being made every day that affect residents, communities, partners and local services. Our democratic and political support functions play an important role in making sure elected members are properly supported, well briefed and able to carry out their roles effectively. This includes supporting meetings, correspondence, policy work, research and engagement with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
We’re looking for a Group Support Officer to join the Labour Group Office and provide practical, organised and politically sensitive support to the Leader of the Group, Shadow Cabinet and wider Group members. Please note this is a 4 year fixed term contract.
About The Role
This is a varied support role working in the Labour Group Office. Reporting to the Political Officer, you’ll work closely with elected members and council colleagues to make sure the Group Office runs smoothly and provides effective support across a range of priorities. You’ll help organise meetings, prepare papers, take minutes, coordinate follow‑up actions and support the flow of information between members, officers and external contacts. You’ll also help manage correspondence, briefings, schedules, records and other day‑to‑day activity that supports the work of the Group.
Re”’s isn’t a routine administrative role. You’ll be working in a political environment where priorities can change quickly, information can be sensitive, and judgement matters. You’ll need to be organised, discreet and able to manage several pieces of work at the same time.
Key Responsibilities Include
- Supporting the Leader of the Group, Shadow Cabinet and wider Group members with meetings, briefings, correspondence and follow‑up activity
- Organising internal and external meetings, including preparation, minute taking and sharing actions or information afterwards
- Carrying out research and analysis to support policy development and Group priorities
- Producing clear reports, briefings and presentation materials for different audiences
- Working with council officers, elected members, MPs, voluntary organisations, statutory bodies and community representatives where needed
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for someone who’s organised, thoughtful and confident working in a political or public sector environment. You’ll need to be flexible, discreet and able to use your initiative. Just as importantly, you’ll need to be comfortable working with confidential information and handling contact with people at different levels. You’ll have a good understanding of current social, political and economic issues affecting local government and public services. You’ll also be comfortable carrying out research, interpreting information and turning it into clear written material. You’ll need to be able to write clearly and concisely, especially when dealing with complex or sensitive topics. You’ll also need good IT skills, including word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software, and the ability to use technology to support the work of the Group Office.
Required Experience
- Carrying out research and analysis
- Writing reports, briefings or presentation materials for different audiences
- Supporting meetings, correspondence and follow‑up activity
- Working collaboratively with colleagues, elected members or stakeholders
- Managing deadlines and delivering agreed pieces of work with minimal supervision
Additional Information
Guaranteed Interview Scheme: As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you’ll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long‑term health condition
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council‑wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together programme. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Benefits And More Information
In your role, we want you to feel supported, challenged and rewarded. You will benefit from our family‑friendly policies including flexible working, home working, and a local government pension scheme, plus many other staff benefits. You will join a motivated, driven and supportive team that strives for excellence and values its members. You will also be part of a successful and high‑achieving development team that is making a real difference to the lives of residents in the borough. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Staff Benefits page.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Support Officer (Labour Office) in London
✨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 Group Support Officer (Labour Office) in London
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 Southwark 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 Southwark 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 Southwark 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.
