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Senior Parliamentary Assistant:

Working For: Simon Lightwood MP, Shadow Minister for Local Transport (Wakefield)

Location: London

Salary: In line with IPSA pay scales and dependent on experience

Length of Contract: Permanent

Job Details:

Simon Lightwood MP is seeking to appoint an experienced Senior Parliamentary Assistant for his Westminster office. The successful candidate will be a self-starter with strong communication skills. A strong knowledge of current UK political landscape is essential.

Responsibilities:

Advise and lead on Simon’s shadow ministerial brief as Shadow Local Transport Minister (Buses, Taxis, Light rail, Active travel, Future of transport, Transport for London).
Build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships, including media and those related to the Shadow Transport brief.
Ensure the Member is fully briefed on potential questions and motions to be put to the house.
Develop and maintain a strong knowledge of bills, EDMs, Hansard, debates etc.
Evaluate, analyse and interpret data to ensure the Member is accurately informed on key issues.
Regularly draft speeches, written and oral questions, press releases and comments/quotes.
Advise on policy issues and prepare briefings for meetings, committees, debates etc.
Horizon-scanning, anticipate what advice or action may be required; proactively identify problems and resolve them.
Maintain and utilise knowledge of relevant legislation, including impact on the local constituency.
Prepare and present results for the purposes of briefing notes for committees, parliamentary questions, articles and press releases.
Respond to routine correspondence and enquiries from constituents, the media, lobbyists etc.
Produce and present high quality written reports, briefing notes, and professional advice.
Monitor media coverage and brief the MP on relevant issues.
Publicise the Member’s parliamentary work on using a variety of channels.
Oversee and delver and timely management of policy based casework
Line manage the Westminster based team

Personal Specification:

To be considered for the Senior Parliamentary Assistant role, you will need extensive experience of working in a political environment such as in parliament, a government department, a charity, think tank or public affairs organisation is essential.
Demonstrable experience of influencing decision-makers, both internally and externally, effectively campaigning for policy change would be desirable.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience of writing in policy, press and political contexts.
Highly organised with an ability to meet tight deadlines and handle multiple competing demands.
Clear understanding of legislation and legislative processes.
Competent at giving verbal as well as written briefings for media and detailed policy topics.
Experience of managing staff and volunteers
Able to write effective political copy for social media, website and other channels.
Proficient with Microsoft Office, Excel and various social media platforms.
Ability to work proactively and independently as well as part of a team.
There may be a requirement for the role holder to work outside of normal working hours and travel when necessary.
The role holder will be expected work from Wakefield a few days per month.
The role holder must also be sympathetic to the aims and values of the Labour Party.

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: Sunday 12th November (APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED)

Interview/Start Dates: Interviews are due to be held on Monday 20th November in Parliament. We would like the successful candidate to start as soon as practical.

Regrettably, it will not be possible to respond to each applicant – if you have not heard back by the end of the day on Wednesday 15th November, you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Application Details

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter of no more than two sides of A4, setting out why you believe that you are a suitable candidate for the role. Applications should be sent to Simon's Chief of Staff, Ellie James  elliec.james@parliament.uk stating ‘Application: Senior Parliamentary Assistant’ in the subject line.