At a Glance
- Tasks: Support democratic processes and ensure smooth governance in a remote role.
- Company: Local Authority with a focus on transparent and effective governance.
- Benefits: Fully remote work, flexible hours, and competitive salary.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and enjoy a varied workload.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in local government while working from anywhere.
- Qualifications: Experience in democratic services or governance, strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
A Local Authority is seeking an experienced Democratic Services Officer to join its governance team on a fully remote basis. This is a key role supporting the democratic decision-making process, ensuring the smooth and compliant running of committee and council procedures across the organisation. This position offers an excellent opportunity to work at the heart of local government, supporting elected members and senior officers in delivering transparent and effective governance.
The Role
- Supporting the democratic process and ensuring that committee and governance arrangements are delivered efficiently and in accordance with statutory requirements.
- Preparing agendas, reports and minutes for council, cabinet and committee meetings.
- Advising elected members and officers on governance, procedure and constitutional matters.
- Supporting the organisation and administration of formal decision-making processes.
- Attending and servicing committee meetings (virtually and occasionally in person if required).
- Ensuring compliance with constitutional, legal and statutory requirements.
- Managing publication of agendas, decisions and public notices in line with legal deadlines.
- Supporting Member development and induction programmes.
- Maintaining accurate governance records and decision logs.
- Providing procedural advice on Standing Orders, access to information and decision-making rules.
About You
The ideal candidate will have experience working in a democratic services, governance or committee support environment, ideally within a Local Authority or public sector setting. You should demonstrate:
- Strong understanding of local government governance and decision-making processes.
- Experience preparing committee papers, agendas and minutes.
- Excellent written communication and attention to detail.
- Confidence advising officers and elected members on procedural matters.
- Ability to work accurately to strict statutory deadlines.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Ability to work independently in a remote setting while remaining part of a wider team.
Knowledge of local government legislation, including access to information and constitutional frameworks, would be highly beneficial.
What’s on Offer
- Fully remote working arrangement.
- Flexible working and supportive team environment.
- Opportunity to work closely with elected members and senior leadership.
- Varied and interesting governance workload.
- Competitive salary/rate depending on experience.
Democratic Services Officer employer: The Oyster Partnership
Join a forward-thinking Local Authority that prioritises transparency and effective governance while offering a fully remote working arrangement. With a supportive team culture, flexible hours, and the chance to engage directly with elected members and senior leadership, this role provides a unique opportunity for professional growth in the public sector. Experience a varied workload that keeps you at the heart of local government decision-making, all while enjoying the benefits of a competitive salary and a commitment to employee development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Democratic Services Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in local government or democratic services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for virtual interviews by setting up a professional backdrop and testing your tech. We want you to shine, so practice answering common questions related to governance and decision-making processes.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your expertise! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've successfully managed committee papers or advised on procedural matters. This will demonstrate your value to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Democratic Services Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in democratic services and governance. We want to see how your skills match the key responsibilities listed in the job description.
Show Off Your Writing Skills:Since excellent written communication is a must for this role, ensure your application is clear, concise, and free of errors. We’re looking for attention to detail, so take the time to proofread before hitting send!
Demonstrate Your Knowledge:Use your application to showcase your understanding of local government processes and legislation. We love candidates who can speak confidently about governance and decision-making, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure you apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Oyster Partnership
✨Know Your Governance Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on local government governance and decision-making processes. Familiarise yourself with the statutory requirements and constitutional frameworks relevant to the role. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Prepare for Committee Paper Questions
Since you'll be preparing agendas, reports, and minutes, expect questions about your experience in this area. Bring examples of past work where you've successfully managed these tasks. Highlight your attention to detail and how you ensure compliance with legal deadlines.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
As a Democratic Services Officer, you'll need to advise elected members and officers. Be ready to demonstrate your excellent written and verbal communication skills during the interview. You might even want to prepare a brief mock presentation or explanation of a complex governance issue to showcase your ability to convey information clearly.
✨Emphasise Your Organisational Skills
Working remotely means you need to be super organised. Share specific strategies you use to manage your time and workload effectively. Discuss how you keep track of multiple tasks, especially when it comes to meeting deadlines for publishing agendas and decisions.
