Dr Sarah Wollaston MP for Totnes is seeking to recruit a Parliamentary Assistant on a fixed six month contract for maternity cover purposes from the start of October 2019 until the end of March 2020.
Ideally, the successful candidate will take on the following responsibilities:

• Handle correspondence from constituents, drafting responses and providing advice and support to constituents on a variety of issues through liaison with Government agencies, the voluntary sector and others.
• Manage own caseload and progress of casework, ensuring all cases are dealt with in a sensitive, confidential and timely manner and accurate records are kept in adherence to the principles of the Data Protection Act and GDPR.
• Attend surgeries in Totnes and other meetings to assist the Member in dealing with constituents’ issues. Helping to deal with the Member’s diary.
• Research and draft responses or respond to constituents on any issues raised on behalf of the Member, including researching policy and responding to campaigns.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation/guidelines as appropriate in dealing with casework.
• Liaise with relevant groups within the constituency and communicate appropriately with internal and external contacts, alongside drafting newsletters.
• Dealing with local media enquiries, drafting press releases and articles.
• General office admin, including answering phone calls, dealing with the post, keeping the members website up to date
• Keeping the Member’s social media pages up to date.

It is intended that there will be a handover period with some training and a handbook written to assist on how to do the job. May suit a recent graduate looking to gain some experience in the political sphere.