Full Time for up to 12 months to cover for Maternity leave. The Service

As a service we take pride in our work by valuing others, focusing on what's important so that we make a real and positive difference. Our values are outlined in our Ways of Working and our Guiding Principles and if they reflect how you are and how you work then this could be the role that meets your expectations.

What is the role?

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the political heart of the City Council, working primarily with the Leader and Cabinet members but also assisting all other Councillors as required. This high profile role requires you to liaise with all departments at the City Council, including regular contact with the PA's to the Chief Executive, Strategic Directors and Lord Mayor, as well as external contacts. This is a very demanding, proactive and reactive role, one of constantly juggling priorities. The role requires good interpersonal, communication skills and IT skills, a high level of political awareness, an ability to adapt to change, time management skills and a good sense of humour!

Who is the person?

• Must have at least two years' experience in diary management, arranging meetings, prioritising a heavy and ever changing workload, high standard of typing, filing, be able to compose routine correspondence (e-mail and paper), transcribe dictation recordings, arranging agendas, travel arrangements.

• Ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times, as highly classified, controversial and sensitive information passes through the Members' Section.

• To remain politically neutral at all times .

• Dealing with members of the public. The office receives many telephone calls from members of the public and sometimes the callers can be concerned or upset.

• Be able to act as a link between Councillors and internal/external contacts, including the media. Be able to decipher urgent messages and know when and when not to interrupt the Leader.

• Member / Officer relation skills. Preferably the person seconded to the post will have had experience in working with Members' and will be able to understand and meet the needs of those they support

• Be able to juggle priorities in a reactive environment. Sometimes certain issues become hot topics to members of the public and this impacts on the workload, e.g. large increase in calls to the office, urgent meetings and briefing sessions to be set up etc.

• Ensure adequate cover for the office and that work submitted to the office is prioritised and completed on time.

Closing time/date, Midday, on the 7th of August 2014 Applications received after this may not be considered.