About the Role

Liverpool City Council has reviewed the support services available to Councillors and you will lead on driving transformation and ensuring that the support meets the needs of the ruling group and enables the corporate core of the City Council to function effectively.

The role will involve close working with elected members, senior officers and external stakeholders such as the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Therefore, the successful candidate will operate to a high level of political sensitivity and be able to adapt to complex or urgent situations.

This is a role for someone with ambition, who is self-driven and can remain aware of issues and development affecting the City Council and its elected members. You will report to the Head of Democratic Services but will develop a strong relationship with the Leader and Cabinet in particular.

This is a unique opportunity to join an organisation on an improvement journey that will provide the opportunity for you to play a key part in its delivery.

Responsibilities:

• To assist the Principal Member Support Officer in drafting, developing, and progressing briefing notes for the political leadership of the Council, including fulfilling detailed research.
• Undertaking, as required, strategic research projects, gathering and analysing information, presenting findings to the Leader, Cabinet and administration, as required via reports, briefings and group presentations.
• To supervise and provide guidance to Member Support Services for the Leader, Cabinet and Ruling Group to enable the corporate core of the City Council to function effectively.
• Support the Principal Member Support Officer to provide a wide range of detailed administrative functions to ensure the efficient and effective operation of support services to the Leader, Cabinet and all Members of the administration.
• Undertaking work at a high level of autonomy, responsibility and confidentiality and to work under own initiative.

What You’ll Need:

• Evidence of supporting elected members or decision makers.
• Experience of drafting detailed research documents including reports and briefing notes.
• High level communication skills and the ability to interface with politicians and the public.
• Effective IT skills including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work in a political environment and demonstrate the highest level of confidentiality.

This is a politically restricted post as set out in the main provisions of Part 1 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (section 2)(as amended). The law aims to ensure the political impartiality of local government staff who hold posts involving duties of a politically sensitive nature.

If you would like to talk to a member of the team about the role or have an informal discussion, please contact Peter Seddon, Principal Democratic Services Officer (peter.seddon@liverpool.gov.uk).

Please note that in accordance with the Council’s policy, employees who are in a formal redeployment situation will be considered in the first instance for all vacancies.