Parliamentary Assistant to Ellie Chowns MP

This is an opportunity to work with Ellie Chowns, Green MP for North Herefordshire and leader of the Green MP group. Your role will be to support her to have the maximum impact in Parliament. You will be fast thinking, able to juggle lots of competing priorities and committed to giving her the best possible support to represent her constituents.
You should be someone who enjoys a busy and diverse workload, can work at pace, has outstanding organisational and interpersonal skills, as well as excellent political judgement and resilience.
To apply, please send a copy of your CV and a supporting statement no more than 800 words demonstrating how you meet the person spec to cath.miller@parliament.uk. Please put Ellie Chowns PA application as the subject.

Upon appointment you will be required to comply with the Baseline Personnel Security Standard, undertaken by the Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO). See https://w4mp.org/jobs-listings-events/jobs/members-staff-security-verification-questionnaire/ for further information.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist the MP in making the best possible use of Parliamentary opportunities to achieve progress on strategic priorities.
• Assist in writing external communications including speeches for the MP.
• Assist with casework as required.
• Attend and participate in meetings as appropriate.
• Compilation of briefing packs for MPs, take notes of meetings and draft appropriate submissions.
• Coordinate effectively with other staff in the Parliamentary Green Party, especially other parliamentary assistants, the MP’s comms officer, and the MP’s constituency team.
• Develop and maintain current knowledge on relevant areas of parliamentary business including motions, legislation, Hansard, debates etc. This would include issues of importance both nationally and in the local constituency.
• Diary Management.
• Engage confidentially, professionally, with care and integrity with members of the public, through telephone enquiries, social media, email and face to face.
• Efficient data and file management to ensure the office complies with the data protection legislation.
• Give advice on policy issues.
• Have working knowledge of relevant legislation and upcoming business including how they impact on the constituency.
• Help draft amendments for reports and prepare briefing material.
• Maintain positive on-going relationships with all parties including members of the public, groups, suppliers and Westminster where required.
• Project work.
• Provide general admin support.
• Respond to routine correspondence and enquiries.
• Supervise staff members where appropriate.
• To advise and ensure the MP is fully briefed on potential questions and motions to be put to the House.
• Triage and manage the MP’s parliamentary inbox.
• There may be a requirement for the role holder to work outside of normal working hours and travel for work occasionally.
• Undertake research on relevant subjects as directed.
• Undertake any other tasks that the MP requires to help them fulfil their responsibilities.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills, including the ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure, to work to a high standard of accuracy, and to meet tight deadlines.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment.
• Quick thinking and quick to learn, including being able to move at speed between different topics and tasks.
• Independent and fast decision maker.
• Highly resilient.
• Able to work under own direction, manage own workload, prioritise well and work proactively as well as reactively.
• Good teamwork skills; able to work effectively in a small team.
• Able to deal with issues in a confidential and sensitive manner.
• Sound political judgement.
• Strong understanding of the responsibilities of an MP.
• Direct Parliamentary experience is a plus.
• Excellent IT skills, including the use of email, WhatsApp, the internet, Microsoft Office suite, data management tools and websites.
• A commitment to Green values and social justice.
• Not a member of any other political party.