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Reference: 76138

Date Added: 7 October 2020
Closing Date: 26 October 2020

Job Title: Private Secretary

Working For: James Gray MP (North Wiltshire)

Location: London

Salary: In line with IPSA pay scales

Length of Contract:

Job Details

James Gray, MP for North Wiltshire, is seeking a Private Secretary for his Westminster office, to provide comprehensive administrative and secretarial support. Working alongside the incumbent Chief of Staff, and liaising with the Office Manager who is based in the constituency, the successful applicant must be able to prioritise a heavy workload efficiently and effectively, often under pressure.

This is a full time permanent position.

MAIN DUTIES

1. All Correspondence and Casework
• Ensuring that the heavy volume of letters and emails that come into the office are answered within our benchmark of 2 working days;
• Replying to a heavy volume of standard letters and emails, with assistance from the Policy Research Unit, ensuring the highest standards of accuracy and presentation;
• Providing advice and support to constituents by letter, email or telephone, on a variety of issues, liaising with Government agencies, the voluntary sector and others;
• Drafting detailed letters to Ministers, CEOs, Local Authorities and other senior public figures;
• Taking regular dictation from Mr Gray (transcription).

2. Communications and Research
• Some ad hoc press releases, research and media briefings.

3. Diary Management

4. General administration including confidential record-keeping and filing.

5. Assisting with the Secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Groups chaired by Mr
Gray, particularly the APPG for Polar Regions and the APPG for the Armed Forces.

6. Providing general cover for the Chief of Staff and Office Manager when necessary.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

1. Strong secretarial and administrative background with demonstrable experience of managing a heavy workload whilst working calmly under pressure.
2. Experience of handling confidential information with tact and sensitivity.
3. Proven ability to prioritise own workload.
4. Ability to communicate information effectively to a wide range of people, and a pleasant and confident telephone manner.
5. Excellent grammar and typing speed and advanced knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite.
6. Effective time management and organisational skills and the initiative to work independently, referring to the Chief of Staff or Mr Gray only where necessary.
7. Experience of keeping detailed records and maintaining administrative systems.

Upon appointment you will be required to apply for security clearance, undertaken by the Security Vetting and Pass Office. See Members’ Staff Security Clearance page for further info. MPs generally pay staff in accordance with IPSA guidelines.

Closing Date: 26 October 2020

Interview/Start Dates

As soon as possible.

Application Details

Please email amy.swash@parliament.uk for an application form.

Website: https://www.jamesgray.org/

Additional Notes

25/10/2020 - This advert has been marked as removed and is no longer live. Please do not apply for this role.