Policy and Administrative Assistant

Do you want to work in a unique organisation whilst contributing to the future success of the South West, supporting the 29 local authorities in membership of South West Councils?

This job is for you if you love variety, are flexible and up for some challenges - juggling skills might help You will be joining a proactive team of professionals committed to supporting local authorities and other public and not-for-profit organisations. It is the ideal opportunity to both play to your skills and develop new ones. It will provide a stepping-stone on your career path in local government, the wider public or not for profit sector, event management or PA and Executive Assistant work.

Our office base is in Taunton, Somerset, where you can choose to work all the time alongside many of our colleagues. But we also offer real flexibility through hybrid working, where you can work some of your time from home if that suits you best and works for the business. (Appropriate equipment will be provided).

**What skills do you need?**
- Good self-organisational and work planning skills, including the ability to prioritise to ensure work delivered on time and to agreed standards.
- Flexibility and willingness to learn new skills.
- Good interpersonal skills, including communication, approachability, judgement and patience.
- A high level of attention to detail.
- Experience of taking notes and minutes or the willingness to develop this competency.
- Ability to undertake research, analysis and provide policy briefings.
- Excellent team working skills, contributing positively to the team.
- Excellent customer service skills, showing awareness of the level of service expected towards customers and dealing with them in a positive and polite manner.
- Ability to demonstrate personal commitment, enthusiasm and achievement of high-quality standards.

**About South West Councils**

South West Councils is a small team of 28 supporting the work of 29 local authorities across the South West and 100+ Associate members (such as police, fire & rescue services, national parks, schools and parish and town councils). We support local authorities in information sharing and lobbying on behalf of the South West to try and get a better deal for the region. We also support learning and development activity and provide specialist HR advice. Working at South West Councils is full of variety but also with the opportunity to focus on particular work areas.

A job with us as provides flexibility, fair pay, an excellent pension scheme, generous holiday allowance, job satisfaction, training and supports career development.

**Who can Apply?**

South West Councils values a diverse workforce and is supportive of the needs of all applicants and employees.

Applications from people wishing to work part time or job share are welcome.

The South West Councils team are currently working a mixture of office working and working from home. The role is office based (with occasional travel) but there will also be the opportunity to work from home at times should an individual wish to do so and this fits with business needs. Appropriate equipment will be provided.

If you have looked at the job details on our website and would then like an informal conversation about the role and potential working arrangements, please call Karen Stone on 01823 270101.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Part-time hours: 37 per week

**Salary**: £22,777.00-£24,054.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Flexitime
- Sick pay
- Work from home

Schedule:

- Flexitime
- Monday to Friday
- No weekends

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Taunton