Full-time, initial 6 month contract.

Thangam Debbonaire, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Bristol West, is seeking a highly motivated, skilled and experienced individual to act as her constituency chief of staff, managing and promoting the work of a busy Parliamentary Constituency Office. Other office staff include Constituency Assistant (diary management, campaigns/policy and some casework), Admin assistant (including some casework) and two part-time caseworkers, with volunteers for specific additional campaigns and events. In Westminster, Thangam employs a part-time Parliamentary Assistant with whom the Chief of Staff will liaise daily.

An ability to travel to London occasionally is necessary.

 Key responsibilities:
• enable set up of new offices and maintenance once established
• ensure the MP is accurately informed on key issues in the constituency
• deal with complex queries and complaints on the MP’s behalf
• respond to media enquiries, prepare press releases and draft other materials
• liaise with groups/personnel at Westminster, within the constituency on the MP’s behalf
• manage the office team, ensuring accurate personnel records are kept and notifying IPSA of contractual changes as necessary
• overall responsibility for MP’s diary commitments in the constituency
• oversee responses by other staff to routine correspondence
• responsibility for all aspects of the constituency budget including dealing with IPSA

Person Specification

• Extensive experience as a manager in an organisation undertaking complex work.
• Outstanding communication and media skills.
• Experience of working with a wide range of people with complex demands.
• Excellent staff, budget and project management skills.
• Sound judgement.
• Track record of working in high pressure environment with tight deadlines and competing pressures.
• Specialist policy knowledge or ability to develop such knowledge on the key areas.
• Available to work some evenings/weekends.
• Commitment to the Labour Party ethos.
• Excellent local knowledge.
• Willingness and ability to work to the highest standards of public service.