Political Assistant

This is a Full Time Fixed Term Post. This post is fixed term for one year due to statutory requirements, but may be subject to extension after this period. Interviews will take place week commencing Monday 31 August 2026.

Do you have political or local government experience? Are you confident dealing with the press, managing social media outlets and providing political advice to senior local politicians? Are you a member of the Reform Party or do you share the party's beliefs and values?

Providing research, political advice and support to the Reform Group Leader and Reform councillors in Hull, you will draft and present reports, provide high quality support, plan agendas, attend and minute meetings and liaise with outside bodies and the press on behalf of the Reform Group. You will assist the group in its relationship with the local press and proactively ensure that the group's messages are developed and communicated widely, through a variety of media outlets. At the same time, you will ensure that key decisions from Group meetings are swiftly implemented and proactively identify issues of political interest, whilst supporting councillors with public speaking engagements and formal council questions and motions.

You will be knowledgeable about the functions of a local authority and will be familiar with the roles of councillors and political party groups and will be able to work in a politically sensitive environment. Equally importantly, you will bring considerable initiative to support the Reform Group to undertake their role, and will display a very organised and self-motivated approach, backed by a high level of IT literacy and a sensitive approach to managing confidential information. Finally, you will need to be able to understand the diverse needs of the Reform Group and balance individual councillors' demands and expectations.

As well as taking direction from the Leader of the Group you will work closely with the Group Whip and Democratic and Member Support colleagues.

ROLE AND PURPOSE

To provide a high level of advice, assistance, research and media support to the assigned Political Group (the group) on a broad range of policy and other issues.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Strategy – Advise the group as appropriate on matters of policy and the political implications of council decisions or activity and develop policy options. Undertake policy research and analysis and prepare reports, position papers, presentations, etc. as required by the group leader, portfolio holders/shadow portfolio holders, or with the agreement of the group leader, other members of the group. Prepare draft notices of motion for council and other meetings for consideration by the Group leadership. Develop and maintain good working understanding of the functions, operations and staffing of the council to support other tasks. Develops the necessary communication systems and working relationships between Directors/Senior Officers and Cabinet/Opposition Leaders, to ensure that intelligence is up-to-date and business change is being effectively delivered within the boundaries of confidentiality and sensitivity. Prepares presentations, non-political speeches, briefings and other media articles in support of, and in conjunction with, Cabinet Members/Leading Opposition Members and the Communications Team to support relationships with internal and external stakeholders, particularly to aid Partnership working. Working with the Corporate Communications team develops, implement and coordinate a proactive programme of press and media relations work to assist the Group. Provide the Leader and Group Members with high quality specialist advice on all aspects of press and media relations.
• Customer Focus – Investigate and obtain information on matters of interest or concern to members of the group. Organise, prepare agendas for and minute Group meetings. Assist group cohesion, co-ordination and effectiveness through the dissemination of information to the group. Establish and maintain links with parliamentary, research and other bodies as appropriate and disseminate relevant information to the group leadership and other members of the group as appropriate. Attend cabinet, other council or group meetings and meetings of other organisations, including political party meetings as required. Undertake other duties that may be required by the leader of the Group or portfolio holders, and that are commensurate with the post and the grade for the post. Responds to requests from Members to analyse, interpret and evaluate existing policies, and research and develop alternative options utilising constructive thinking. Provides high level professional research and policy formulation/analysis and support to Cabinet, or Shadow Portfolio Holders and Opposition Leaders, in the operation, development and delivery of specific portfolios and the wider joined up objectives of the Council. Working with group members to ensure aims are aligned with the national policy context of the relevant group, and senior officers to determine feasibility. Opportunities and alternatives. Gather, collate, analyse and distribute information, from a range of sources and all levels of complexity, on behalf of the Group, including the preparation of appropriate reports and briefing notes to ensure Members of the Group are well informed on the Council’s business and other appropriate issues, including the national policy agenda for local government.
• Performance Management – Establish, maintain and develop quality systems within the service in order to continuously improve continuously the provision and delivery of services to meet the Group’s needs and requirements. Manage projects on behalf of the group associated with the work of the group, including but not limited to monitoring of the manifesto, and research and other development projects to assist in policy formulation. Monitor casework for members of the group as required to ensure casework is undertaken effectively. Evaluates progress and achievement against set criteria and established aims and objectives, and works with the Group Leader, Cabinet, or shadow portfolio holders, and Senior Council Officers to develop alternative approaches or opportunities to achieve the required outcome. Analyses the contributions of key stakeholders and policy direction from National and European sources and provides guidance on policy development and improvement. Monitor all areas of the Council’s business, identifying potential problems and opportunities and suggesting solutions to the Group. Where appropriate, assist Member oversight and scrutiny, making suggestions for policy/service development.
• Leadership – Establish and maintain links with the local, regional and national political party as appropriate and disseminate relevant information to the group leadership and the group as appropriate. Develop and maintain good working relationships with senior officers of the council on behalf of the Group. Undertake the duties of the group press officer as required, including liaison with local media on behalf of the group leader and other spokespersons, issue press statements on behalf of the group, arrange interviews and act as point of contact for the group. Contributes policy viewpoints at meetings, seminars, conferences and other forums, to ensure that the approach and perspectives of the Leader/Cabinet/Opposition Leaders are represented accurately and understood.

Compensation Grades: GRADES 10.

Pay Ranges: £45,091.00 - £48,226.00

Benefits of Working of Hull City Council:

• A competitive salary
• An excellent pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Initially 23 days annual leave depending on length of service. You will also get eight public holidays per year, and three additional days off, one in May/August and one during the Christmas/New year period
• Career development and learning experiences from a range of training courses and learning methods
• Supportive and forward-thinking culture
• Great career development opportunities

Please ensure that you complete and submit your application by midnight prior to the closing date. Please ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria against the person specification as listed in the job description.