Essential competencies

• Deal with daily enquiries from members of the public who either present at the Office, over the phone or via email and take the appropriate action to resolve, document or escalate the complaint or enquiry.
• Manage the constituency diary and progress personal caseload ensuring all cases are logged, and then updated with whatever action is taken and outstanding solutions are followed up.
• Draft responses, or respond directly to constituents on any issues raised on behalf of the Member.
• Maintain an up-to-date working knowledge of relevant guidelines/legislation deemed necessary for dealing with casework.
• Build strong and enduring working relationships with key staff in governmental and non-governmental departments.
• Develop knowledge in specialist casework areas such as welfare, housing and immigration.
• Ensure records of contact with constituents remain confidential by adhering to the Data Protection Act principles, respecting the privacy of data at all times.
• Persistently maintain, update and develop personal knowledge of demanding, specialised or complex cases.
• Effectively communicate with both external and internal contacts and in many circumstances, act as the primary point of contact in the MP’s office.
• Provide secretarial and general administrative services for relevant meetings to ensure the smooth running of the MPs constituency office.
• Provide support to other members of staff in terms of political campaigning and the formulation of press releases.
• Competent use of IT, in particular Microsoft Office, email and internet to support all of the above.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work to tight deadlines.
• An appreciation that some evening and weekend work is required as part of the role.

* Have the desire and commitment to go that extra mile to resolve issues and recognise the responsibility that comes with being a front line point of contact.

Desirable

• Full UK driving license with access to own vehicle.
• A knowledge of the current political environment, both nationally and within the Ochil & South Perthshire area.
• A sympathy and understanding of the aims and objectives of the Labour Party.