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Conservative Group Political Assistant

Employer
Birmingham City Council
Location
Council House, Victoria Square Birmingham B1 1BB
Salary
up to £34,986
Closing date
11 May 2021
Reference
BCC001971

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Job Details

Fixed Term Contract until 31st May 2022.


About the role


Do you have some political or local government experience?


Are you confident dealing with the press, and providing political advice to senior local politicians? Are you a member of the Conservative Party or do you share the party’s beliefs and values?


The Group Political Assistant is unique in the Council, in that it directly supports the majority opposition group.


You will be based in Birmingham city centre, though there may be occasions when you will be expected to accompany politicians on visits throughout the city. 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 group. You will build relationships with the local press and proactively ensure that the group's messages are developed and communicated widely.


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.


About you


You will be a strong self-starter, able to work alone, with a good understanding of local government and current issues in Birmingham. You should be able to give sound, clear advice on complex issues with a high degree of political sensitivity.


You should be able to act at pace and work effectively with elected members, senior officers within the Council and external stakeholders.


This post is politically restricted appointment.


Essential Qualification


As set out in the job description


Desirable skills and experience


As set out in the job description


 


 


 


Salary for Political Assistants is set by the Secretary of State and is outlined in The Local Government (Assistant for Political Groups) (Remuneration) (England) Order 2006 (No.1509). There is a maximum salary ceiling currently of £34,986. Your salary will be as outlined in your letter of appointment.


Interviews for this post may take place virtually via video conferencing. Shortlisted candidates will be provided with further information.


For further information please contact Robert Connelly Assistant Director for Governance on 0121 303 2443 or email him at Robert_Connelly@birmingham.gov.uk or alternative please email Councillor Gareth Moore @Gareth.Moore@birmingham.gov.uk


We welcome applications from people with caring responsibilities and flexible working options will be considered.


Right to work in the UK documentation will be fully checked for all applicants.  All non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) may require a Certificate of Sponsorship from Birmingham City Council and must have an approved visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) before any employment offer can be confirmed. Unless they are an EEA or Swiss citizen or their family members, already living in the UK by 31 December 2020, then they will need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) instead

Supporting documents
Job Description
Person Specification

Company

Working for Birmingham City Council is more than just a job; it's about making life better for the 1 million plus people who live and work in the city.

We welcome people from diverse and underrepresented communities and encourage applications from, those with caring responsibilities, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, neurodivergent, disabled and LGBT+ people. As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, we are committed to promoting and supporting the physical and mental health of all our staff and removing barriers to improve inclusion.   We are making significant strides to understand and continuously improve our employees’ experience and we are committed to implementing progressive diversity talent management.

Information for applicants with a disability

We are a proud Disability Confident Employer.  We encourage applicants to disclose disabilities, so we can support them fully during our recruitment process and make any necessary reasonable adjustments. Please contact: 0121 675 7070 option 3 (lines open between 8.45am to 5.15pm Monday to Friday).

If you require an application in an alternative format, such as Braille or you are unable to complete an application form via WMJOBS, please contact bccHR@birmingham.gov.uk. When you have completed your application form this can be returned to bccHR@birmingham.gov.uk or for Braille applications these can be posted to, Recruitment Team, 2nd Floor, 10 Woodcock Street, B7 4BG.

The Council is a fantastic place to work. You will find an organisation that is both challenging and supportive; with a leadership impatiently adventurous in its pursuit of excellence. 

There is a clear vision which is ensuring that the Council is working for communities today and building for tomorrow, we focus our resources on five key priorities:

  • A Prosperous Birmingham: through a focus on inclusive economic growth, tackling unemployment, attracting inward investment, and maximising the benefits of the Commonwealth Games.
  • An Inclusive Birmingham: through a focus on tackling poverty and inequality, empowering citizens, promoting diversity and civic pride, and supporting and enabling all children and young people to thrive.
  • A Safe Birmingham: through a focus on making the city safer, safeguarding vulnerable citizens, increasing affordable housing, and tackling homelessness.
  • A Healthy Birmingham: through a focus on tackling health inequalities, encouraging physical activity and healthy living, supporting mental health, and improving outcomes for adults with disabilities and older people.
  • A Green Birmingham: through a focus on street cleanliness, improving air quality, continuing the route to net zero, and becoming a city of nature.

We see the Council’s role as providing strategic leadership – that’s being able to visualise a new future for the city and equipping others to share our vision. We want to ensure the provision of services for all, so we can support those least able to support themselves by working with partners and putting citizens and neighbourhoods at the heart of our decision-making.

We are always looking for people who put the customer at the centre of their approach, with a commitment to excellence to help us achieve our vision.  We will support you to develop and thrive in your role, building a pathway for long-term success, with lots of development opportunities, such as apprenticeships.

In return, we offer you excellent terms and conditions, generous annual leave, a great pension scheme, well-being support, annual travel passes and discounts at a number of city centre establishments.

Birmingham City Council is a Foundation Living wage employer - known as the Birmingham Living Wage. The Birmingham Living Wage, is determined by the Living Wage Foundation on an annual basis by the Centre of Research in Society Polity at Loughborough University. The current rate can be found at: www.livingwage.org.uk.   

For the awards and support for our employees, please follow https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/homepage/169/job_vacancies  

Company info
Website
Telephone
0121 675 7070
Location
Birmingham City Council
Birmingham
West Midlands
B2 2XU
United Kingdom

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