Job vacancy: Parliamentary Assistant/Senior Parliamentary Assistant

Details

Job Title: Parliamentary Assistant/Senior Parliamentary Assistant

Closing Date: Midday, 5 December 2018

Location: London

Salary: Based on experience, in line with IPSA payscales

Job Description

Chi Onwurah MP is looking for a full-time Parliamentary Assistant. This is a demanding full-time role in a busy parliamentary office.

Key responsibilities:

• Research and briefing on a wide-range of policy issues
• Drafting speeches and articles
• Optimising media exposure and managing communications including press work and social media
• Leading on project work
• Monitoring and advising Chi on policy and political developments in Newcastle and nationally
• Drafting oral and written parliamentary questions and following up on the answers
• Supporting Chi’s frontbench work and her work on various APPGs
• Managing the day to day work of a Parliamentary office, keeping the website up to date, engaging with constituents and other miscellaneous activities

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• considerable adaptability, initiative and creativity in dealing with the varied and ambiguous situations that Westminster throws up
• a strong understanding of issues that affect Newcastle and the north east and Chi’s role in promoting the area in Parliament and more widely
• excellent political judgement and the ability to think and plan strategically
• self-motivation and a willingness and ability to get involved in a wide range of tasks
• strong attention to detail and excellent research, analysis, project management and writing skills
• a strong understanding of Chi’s key policy interests
• that they are comfortable doing a wide-range of different tasks prioritising a heavy workload
• sympathy to the aims and objectives of the Labour Party

Parliamentary experience is not essential but applicants will be expected to demonstrate a good understanding of the political environment nationally and in Newcastle.

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

Upon appointment you will be required to comply with the Baseline Personnel Security Standard, undertaken by the Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO). See Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO) page for further info.

Interview/Start Dates

The start date will be January 2019.

There will be a two-stage interview process. The first round of interviews will occur in the week beginning 10 December 2018. Interviews can take place in London or Newcastle.

Application Details

To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter demonstrating how you fit the criteria listed above and a short, one page essay on ONE of the following topics to matthew.davies @parliament.uk:

• What should a distinctively “Labour” industrial strategy look like?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Newcastle’s economy?