I’m excited to be hiring for three positions on my team, helping me continue to deliver for the people of Rutland and Melton.
I am looking for a Policy Researcher & Parliamentary Assisistant, and a Parliamentary Assistant, who will be based in my Westminster office. This role would be ideal for someone looking to progress a career in public service, and will become familiar with the inner workings of Westminster.
I am also hiring an Executive and Administrative Officer, based in Melton Mowbray. This will be a highly organised individual, who will be fantastic at engaging with members of the public – who will often be in very difficult personal situations.
Read all three job descriptions in full below!
Policy Researcher and Parliamentary Assistant
This demanding role will involve senior stakeholder engagement in Rutland and Melton and nationally, and you will work closely with Alicia to deliver her priorities for her constituents, and for her work on various national security and foreign affairs committees You will be heavily involved in all aspects of Parliamentary life and will have responsibility for coordinating the team's busy workload in parliament, and working with the Office Manager in Melton.
The position would suit a candidate seeking the next step in their career in Parliament, who can manage competing priorities efficiently, professionally and calmly; is competent and confident acting on their own initiative, as well as being a strong team-player.
The role will include:
- Advising MP on policy and upcoming Parliamentary business
- Preparing potential interventions in parliament’s various forums, including OPQs, WQs, Westminster Hall, Adjournment Debates and the Chamber
- Prepare and present briefing notes for committees, parliamentary questions, debates etc, giving advice on policy issues and undertaking general research as requested.
- Building and maintaining good relationships with key stakeholders locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Horizon-scanning for opportunities to progress priority campaigns
- Line management of two staff members
- Drafting speeches and interventions
- Attend and participate in meetings as appropriate, taking notes and drafting appropriate submissions and interventions
Key skills required include:
- Able to lead and motivate a team
- A can-do attitude and willingness to get stuck in
- Ability to manage relationships with senior stakeholders who themselves have competing priorities
- Ability to analyse and synthesise research on compressed timescales
- Ability to devise, implement and develop long-term plans and strategies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organisational/administrative skills with good attention to detail.
- A positive can-do attitude, with a willingness to learn and respond to feedback.
- The ability to work to tight deadlines and complete tasks at short notice in a high-pressure environment.
- Strong writing abilities, in a variety of registers.
- Loyalty and discretion at all times, on matters sensitive or otherwise.
- Engage with stakeholders professionally, confidentially, and with care and integrity.
- Good general IT skills and competence with Microsoft Office packages.
- A knowledge of foreign affairs and current national security debates is an advantage.
Interview/Start Date: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with the successful candidate in post ASAP. Due to the senior nature of this role, applicants with previous senior parliamentary or within fast moving corporate or civil service environment are preferred.
Application Details: Please send your CV and brief cover letter to [email protected]. Applications without a specific cover letter will not be reviewed. In the email subject matter, please state ‘[YOUR NAME] – Parliamentary Assistant for Alicia Kearns MP’
Parliamentary Assistant
Parliamentary Researcher or Parliamentary Assistant. This is a full-time role based in Westminster with travel to Rutland and Melton.
Looking for a team member who is passionate about the difference MPs can make to the lives of their constituents, with strong initiative and is keen to make their mark, make the role their own, and support the work of a busy team working on pressing national issues. A positive attitude and willingness to roll up your sleeves and learn is much more valuable than directly relevant experience.
The role would suit a highly organised individual with the ability to work independently, show initiative and work well as part of a wider team. Good organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks is key. We particularly welcome applicants who are looking for practical professional experience with career ambitions within public service and will offer support with their career development.
The role will include:
– Assisting with, and leading on some, research on local and national policy issues, and all parliamentary activities including parliamentary speeches, questions, reports and more
– Leading on All Party Parliamentary Group activity on a range of subjects, in addition to providing experience of other Parliamentary work
– Developing expertise in responding to the policy needs of constituents, and assisting with casework as required
– Leading on daily issues management with the MP
– Assisting with special projects
– Additional duties dependent on candidate
– There will be a requirement for the role holder to work outside of normal working hours and travel to the constituency.
Key skills required include:
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational/administrative skills with good attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and within a small team.
• A positive can-do attitude, with a proactive attitude.
• The ability to work to tight deadlines and complete tasks at short notice in a high-pressure environment.
• Strong writing abilities, in a variety of registers.
• Loyalty and discretion at all times, on matters sensitive or otherwise.
• Engage with stakeholders professionally, confidentially, and with care and integrity.
• Good general IT skills and competence with Microsoft Office packages.
Interest in Rutland and Melton, foreign affairs and national security very welcome.
Upon appointment you will be required to comply with the Baseline Personnel Security Standard, undertaken by the Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO). See Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO) page for further info. MPs generally pay staff in accordance with IPSA guidelines.
Closing Date: 28th October 2021, but early applications welcome, with interviews commencing from 20th October
Interview/Start Dates: Looking to appoint the right candidate ASAP
Application Details: Please send your CV and brief cover letter to [email protected]. Applications without a specific cover letter will not be reviewed. In the email subject matter, please state ‘[YOUR NAME] – Policy Assistant for Alicia Kearns MP’
Executive and Administrative Officer
A new member of staff based in her office in Melton, who will be amazingly well organised, have a can-do attitude, high attention to detail, and can be flexible and creative when it comes to managing a demanding workload.
Previous employment working for an MP or in government / politics is not expected. A positive attitude, willingness to roll up your sleeves and being someone who loves helping others, and cares about our community will make you a perfect fit for our tight-knit and friendly team and is more important than previous experience.
Duties will include, but not limited to:
- Responding to enquiries from the public by telephone, letter and e-mail and passing on queries to other team members as appropriate
- Providing a range of secretarial and administrative support to enable effective delivery of support to the public
- Organising constituency events & visits
- Working with the Senior Caseworker to manage queries from members of the public from start to successfully resolving them and support constituents by meeting with them to offer advice and guidance
- Ensuring records are kept and information managed confidentially and in line with GDPR
Able to:
- Prioritise a demanding workload with an eye for detail with a can-do attitude
- Organise and present information in a simple and sensible way
- Write in an empathetic way
- Engage with members of the public professionally, confidentially, and with care and integrity.
- Competent in use of IT
Upon appointment you will be required to comply with the Baseline Personnel Security Standard, undertaken by the Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO). See Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO) page for further info. MPs generally pay staff in accordance with IPSA guidelines.
Closing Date: 29th October 2021, but early applications welcome, with interviews commencing from 20th October
Interview/Start Dates: Looking to appoint the right candidate ASAP
Salary: In line with IPSA payscales
Application Details: Please send your CV and brief cover letter to [email protected]. Applications without a specific cover letter will not be reviewed. In the email subject matter, please state ‘[YOUR NAME] – Administrative Officer for Alicia Kearns MP’
