Dame Margaret Hodge MP has a vacancy for a caseworker in her constituency office.
Normally based in the constituency office in Barking, this role will be part of a small team helping Margaret’s constituents. The ideal candidate will have experience of casework, campaigning, advocacy, or social work. They will have excellent written English and a professional telephone manner. This position may involve some evening and weekend work.

Key responsibilities:
• Dealing with correspondence, telephone enquiries and emails from constituents, taking up their cases, and providing timely responses.
• Attending or organising constituency events, such as street meetings and coffee afternoons.
• Helping to develop local or national campaigns out of issues that arise through casework. Monitoring key developments in the constituency.
• Gathering information or data relevant to assist cases.
• Liaising with various agencies and organisations to resolve constituents' problems.
• Efficiently logging all cases, monitoring progress and ensuring that actions are taken.
• Retaining records and information confidentially and in line with the Data Protection Act.
• Establish, monitor and update a social media and online presence in the constituency.

Essential criteria:
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong organisational skills, including workload management and an ability to operate under pressure.
• Proven track-record of excellent people or customer service skills - ability to deal with constituents and community interest groups in a compassionate and empathetic manner.
• A self-starter who can work well independently and as part of a team.
• Sympathetic to the aims and values of the Labour Party.

Other desirable (but not essentials) skills:
• Previous work for another MP would be beneficial but not essential, as would experience with the software programme CaseworkerMP.
• A good understanding of the political environment would be advantageous, and a knowledge of local issues in the constituency is very desirable.
• Previous casework, campaigning or community advocacy experience would be beneficial.
• Proficiency with IT programmes, such as MS Office applications.

Margaret values inclusivity and diversity, and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.