Job Vacancy Local Engagement Officer

The Opportunity

Location: North West and Yorkshire (Must live a reasonable distance (around 10 miles) from key locations within the region (Leeds, Manchester or Liverpool) and must be able to travel regularly to Westminster.

The Local Engagement Officer will be responsible for carrying out key engagement activities in Members' constituency offices in and around Yorkshire and the North West. The Local Engagement Officer will provide IT coaching, training, advice and guidance to the offices in their region, through a mix of contact methods, primarily face-to-face but also virtual, email and telephone contact.

They will also act as an advocate, building relationships and representing the interests of Members and their staff within the Digital Service, and vice versa, and will ensure that the Digital Service is responsive to current and future Member needs.

The Local Engagement Officer will be motivated by a strong customer service ethic. They will be required to develop a good understanding of the work of Parliament and its Members, to understand their priorities and the context within which they work.

It is essential that the Local Engagement Officer can act autonomously and under their own initiative as well as being an effective team player and will take responsibility for their own performance and the achievement of agreed targets. As a representative of PDS, they will demonstrate the ability to remain calm in the face of difficult situations, acting with professionalism and diplomacy.

The ideal candidate will recognise the importance of political sensitivity and confidentiality, delivering consistent and impartial advice throughout. They should be comfortable in spending time in constituency offices within their assigned region, with regular travel to Westminster to keep abreast of business at Westminster and PDS developments. They will take responsibility for organising and managing their time away from Westminster, with support from the wider team.

What You Need

* Strong customer service ethic, with the ability to work in partnership with a wide range of people, including middle and senior managers, to manage expectations and to handle challenging situations.

* Ability to gather information, analyse processes and recommend courses of action while incorporating the knowledge and views of colleagues, users and suppliers. Excellent influencing, negotiation and facilitation skills; experience working with a range of stakeholders negotiating outcomes that align with programme objectives and priorities.

* Outstanding presentation skills, with the ability to deliver promotional sessions, demonstrate technology and respond to challenging questions whilst under scrutiny from large groups of staff.

* Experience working without close supervision or without close contact with line manager, independently and proactively managing workload, knowing when to escalate issues or decisions appropriately.

* An understanding of change management approaches, whether through formal theory or an awareness of how to implement change in the workplace.

* Demonstrable commitment to a work environment of mutual trust and respect, where diversity and inclusion is valued.

About The Team

Our Local Engagement Officers are based around the UK and can offer guidance and advice about the full range of services available to MP's and their staff, as well as provide coaching and training sessions for your staff to help you make the most of our services.

About Us

UK Parliament is steeped in history and tradition. It is an important part of UK life and we need to ensure as many people as possible can engage with its work. This is why we are at the start of a huge transformation programme powered by technology. The Parliamentary Digital Service (PDS) works with the House of Commons and the House of Lords with all their IT and digital needs. We are here to realise the digital ambitions of a modern Parliament and welcome you to join us in building a digital democracy.

Our Package

Please refer to our Candidate Information Pack for a full list of our benefits which include:

• up to 35 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays
• generous maternity pay policy up to 6 months full pay
• great pension scheme options (contributory and non-contributory)
• on-site subsidised gym, nursery, catering, post office, travel office and GP
• flexible options including hybrid working and family friendly policies

How To Apply

Please make sure you're clear on the requirements of the role. These can be found in the Job Description and Candidate Information Pack. You will need to upload a CV and show how you meet criterion 1,3,4. Our application process is anonymous, so please remove any personal information from your CV.

Apply By:

Interviews: W/C 30th September 24

Format: Panel Interview (Remote)

Our Culture

For our people, we provide an amazing opportunity to bring their talents to an institution that sits right at the heart of society in the UK. We are helping to change UK Parliament and strengthen democracy. What matters here is your potential for growth and your commitment to playing your part in our ongoing success.

We are passionate about providing an environment which promotes inclusion, diversity and equality. Regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, beliefs or any of the other things that make you, you. We welcome applications from people who feel under-represented in the workforce. This includes those who may feel disadvantaged because of their socioeconomic circumstances.