James is looking for a senior caseworker to join his team, working three days a week on a nine-month term contract from February 2021 (maternity cover). There may be the possibility to start sooner, take on more hours, and extend the period of employment, subject to funding.

We are looking for a candidate with excellent communication and writing abilities, and a strong understanding of how to take up and resolve enquires from constituents about local issues, such as housing, planning, fly tipping, Council Tax, PCNs, and ASB.

During the Covid-19 outbreak, the role will be based remotely from home and involve a high level of autonomous working. As restrictions are eased, the role will increasingly be based in the new constituency office in North Greenford (near Sudbury Town station).

We would like the successful candidate to be ready to help manage at least one other member of staff, and to help with constituent contact through surgeries, appointments, or coffee mornings, when Covid restrictions allow.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assist with surgeries and other meetings and follow up as appropriate;
• Engage professionally, confidentially, and sensitively with members of the public, through telephone enquiries, social media, emails and face to face;
• Ensure all cases are logged in line with data protection legislation, and ensure all identified actions are taken;
• Liaise with Government agencies, voluntary sector and others to resolve cases;
• Manage a large caseload of complex cases and exercise a high level of autonomy in reaching decisions;
• Supervise other members of staff including coaching and mentoring.

Skills required:

• Clear understanding of how to approach casework relating to local issues such as housing, planning, fly tipping, Council Tax, PCNs, and ASB;
• Ability to deal with a large and varied caseload and to work well under pressure;
• Excellent interpersonal and ability to draft letters and emails to a high professional standard;
• Good IT skills including using a casework tracking system and MS Office;
• Motivated to work independently as well as the ability to work effectively as part of a small team;
• Sympathetic to the aims and values of the Labour Party.