Opposition Assistant (Lib Dem Group)

at  Southwark Council

ABOUT SOUTHWARK

As a council, we are successful, passionate, and forward thinking. We are committed to tackling injustice and inequalities and rebuilding our local economy following the pandemic, ensuring that our residents and businesses are central to everything we do.
As a diverse central London borough, Southwark faces a range of challenges, which we aim to address through the delivery of the Borough Plan. We are looking for candidates to join our team to help us continue to make Southwark an inclusive borough for all our communities.
Southwark Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We monitor our recruitment practices to check that we are employing people in a fair and non-discriminatory way. We also publish annual workforce reports. We are proud to have a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough.

HOW WILL YOU MAKE AN IMPACT:

• A recent graduate with ambitions for a career in a political or government environment, or an individual with proven administrative skills seeking to make a mark in this field.
• Knowledgeable about the functions of a local authority and the roles of councillors, with an understanding of the political context in which they operate.
• A passion for democratic processes will drive you to excel in support and administration.
• Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, enabling you to collaborate effectively with councillors, officers, and external stakeholders.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and capable of thriving in a fast-paced team environment.
• Highly IT literate, with the ability to handle various digital tools and platforms.
• Able to commit to a fixed-term contract until 30 June 2026, with the possibility of extension.
• This role offers flexible home working blended with travel into our London Bridge HQ.
  Recruitment timetable
  Application Closing Date: 11.59pm on the 8th of September 2024
  Interview Date: 20th of September 2024

APPLICATION PROCESS

If you are interested in applying for this role, please submit a CV and complete the application forms detailing your suitability for the role. The Job Description and Person Specification can also be found at the bottom of this page under attachments.
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 initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Provide comprehensive administrative, policy, and research support to the Liberal Democrat opposition group, including the Majority Opposition Group Leader and shadow spokespeople.
• Assist opposition councillors in fulfilling their roles in Scrutiny, Council Assembly, Community Forums, and other key meetings.
• Draft and present reports and briefs for councillors, plan agendas, and undertake special projects on behalf of the opposition group.
• Handle confidential information with the utmost discretion and integrity.

SUPPORT WITH PURPOSE:

• Attend and minute high-level meetings, ensuring all details are accurately captured.
• Liaise with external bodies and manage communications with a professional and sensitive approach.
• Manage and prioritise multiple tasks, meetings, and events with exceptional organisational skills and initiative.
• Understand and balance the diverse needs of opposition councillors, managing expectations with tact and diplomacy.

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