Priti Patel is looking for an experienced individual to join her Parliamentary team as a Parliamentary Researcher and Assistant in the Westminster office.

Previous experience of working in Parliament, and ideally in an assistant or researcher role, is essential, and the position requires an individual who is highly organized, used to working in a fast-moving environment and able to work independently.

Knowledge of the Witham constituency, and wider Essex area, is preferable but not essential. Similarly, experience in handling of complex health and education casework and delivery of local campaigning work around these issues is beneficial.

Duties:

• Respond to correspondence and enquiries from constituents.
• Liaise with and draft correspondence to government departments or agencies, local government and authorities and other organisations to help resolve cases.
• Draft written casework responses to constituents.
• Advance casework, log all cases; monitor progress and ensure all identified actions are taken.
• Undertaking research and prepare briefings on local, national and international policy issues
• Helping to organise community engagement events.
• Writing press releases and campaign updates
• Attending meetings with and on behalf of the Member
• Ensure records managed confidentially in line with the Data Protection Act

Skills, Experience and qualities:

• Proven research skills with the ability to draft correspondence and briefings, and to write succinctly and confidently.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including good telephone manner.
• Excellent organisation skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with Caseworker.MP system.
• Ability to deal with constituents in a compassionate, understanding and sensitive way.
• Ability to undertake research on casework and policy issues - an awareness of central and local government structures is useful.
• The ability to prioritise workload and proactively work through complex issues with constituents.
• Able to work well under pressure both independently and as part of a team.
• Sympathetic to the aims and values of the Conservative Party.