Senior Constituency Secretary/Caseworker for Caroline Lucas MP (Brighton Pavilion)
Salary range: £19,000-£28,000 per annum

Location: Brighton

We need an experienced constituency senior secretary and caseworker to support Caroline as she begins work as Britain's first Green MP serving Brighton Pavilion constituents.

You will need excellent organisational and communication skills, be flexible and calm under pressure, and enjoy working in a high-profile role. You should have a strong understanding of the main issues facing constituents in Brighton.

You do not need to be a member of the Green Party.

Role includes:

• Managing the Brighton Pavilion constituency office.
• Providing secretarial and administrative support at a senior level to ensure the smooth running of the constituency office.
• Providing advice and support to constituents on a variety of issues through liaison with Government agencies, the voluntary sector and others to resolve matters.

This post is fixed term and full time.

We actively encourage people from ethnic minorities and with disabilities to apply.

We are also open to job sharing and flexible working.
Some evening working and travel may be required.

The post is based in Brighton.

Upon appointment you will be required to comply with the Baseline Personnel Security Standard, undertaken by the Members' Staff Verification Office (MSVO). See www.w4mp.org/html/msvo/main.asp for further info.

Closing date: 12 noon, 7th June 2010

To apply please send a CV and personal statement which addresses, including giving evidence, each element of the key responsibilities identified in the job description.

Applications should be sent by email to caroline.lucas.mp@parliament.uk

Thank you

If you need any other information in first instance please call Caroline's local party office on 01273 766 670.

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Senior Constituency Secretary /Caseworker

Job Description

Key Tasks

• Manage the Brighton Pavilion constituency office.
• Provide secretarial and administrative support at a senior level to ensure the smooth running of the constituency office.
• Provides advice and support to constituents on a variety of issues through liaison with Government agencies, the voluntary sector and others to resolve matters.
• Supervise the day-to-day work of other office staff, as required

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a full range of secretarial and administrative support including: managing and monitoring all incoming telephone and visitor enquiries, responding to e.mails and letters, efficient data and file management
• Manage Member's Diary commitments
• Ensure the office is fully equipped and office supplies are maintained.
• Support the Member in complying with the provisions of the MPs' Expenses Scheme.
• Liaise on behalf of the Member with relevant groups/personnel at Westminster and within the Constituency, including liaison with outside organisations and the general public.
• Drafting and signing letters on various issues on the Member's behalf.
• Deal with daily queries from members of the public by phone or in person, taking the appropriate initial action to resolve or document or escalate their concerns or enquiries.
• Ensure queries from constituents are dealt with in a sensitive and confidential manner and all records of contact with constituents are kept, with details of each case by adhering to the Data Protection Act principles and respect the confidentiality of data at all times
• Attend surgeries and other meetings to assist the Member in dealing with constituents' issues.
• Gather information from constituents to progress or close the case in a sensitive and confidential manner.
• Attend tribunals as required.
• Manage own caseload and progress of casework, ensuring all cases are logged updated with any actions taken and outstanding queries are followed up, with urgent cases reported to the Member.
• Analyse patterns of enquiries and produce reports.
• Supervise the day-to-day work of other constituency office staff, as required
• Maintain, update and develop knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance.
• Communicate effectively with both internal and external contacts.
• Competent use of IT including Microsoft Office package, casework management systems, email and internet to: draft correspondence and reports; set up and maintain spreadsheets; support caseworking; and undertake research.

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