Catherine West MP is seeking a motivated, reliable and hard-working individual with strong communication skills as her Parliamentary Assistant on a 12-month contract from September 2019.

Catherine’s team is small and it’s a very busy office so the successful candidate will need to have excellent organisational and time-management skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

We’re looking for someone pro-active with:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including experience of writing speeches, articles and liaising with the media.
• Good political judgement with the ability to analyse reports and provide succinct briefing notes ensuring key issues are identified.
• Strong IT and social media skills.
• Parliamentary experience together with an extensive knowledge of Parliamentary processes.
• A strong knowledge of current political issues at local, national and international level. Interest in foreign affairs would be desirable.
• A commitment to the aims and values of the Labour Party together with an awareness and understanding of the constituency of Hornsey & Wood Green.
• Experience of line managing staff is desirable.

The job will be varied and the successful candidate must be willing to undertake a variety of tasks, but the role will primarily include:

• Liaising pro-actively and re-actively with local and national media.
• Drafting briefings, oral and written questions for the Member and motions to be put to the House.
• Monitoring bills, Early Day Motions, legislation, Hansard, debates and ensuring the Member is fully briefed on relevant issues.
• Helping to publicise the Member’s duties on social media and on her website and following up on social media queries and comments as required
• Managing the policy queries that the Member receives by email, mail and at advice surgeries and responding effectively and courteously to constituents.
• Drafting written representations to Ministers, local authorities and other organisations as appropriate.
• Line managing temporary staff.
• Retaining records and information confidentially and in line with the Data Protection Act.

Please note, this is a one-year fixed term contract. The post is full-time, but job share applications would be welcome.