Job vacancy: Parliamentary Assistant to Amy Callaghan MP
Amy Callaghan MP is seeking to employ a Parliamentary Assistant based in Westminster.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and highly capable individual to join Amy’s team, to support her work as the Member of Parliament for East Dunbartonshire.
A significant proportion of time will be spent to support Amy’s parliamentary work, so the candidate should demonstrate a knowledge of parliamentary business.
Job title: Parliamentary Assistant
Hours: Full-time – 37.5 hours per week
Salary: Between £25,500 – £36,374 – dependent on experience. You will also benefit from a 10% employer’s pension contribution.
Location: 3-4 days per week in Westminster and the remainder of the time will be home-working. Occasional travel to the constituency may be required.
Responsibilities:
Develop and maintain current knowledge on relevant areas of parliamentary business including Motions, Legislation, Hansard, Debates, etc.
To advise and ensure the MP is fully briefed on potential questions and motions to be put to the House.
Prepare and present briefing notes for committees, press releases, parliamentary questions, etc.
Have working knowledge of relevant legislation and upcoming business including how they impact on the constituency.
Assist in writing external communications, including speeches for the MP.
Compilation of briefing packs for MPs, take notes of meetings, and draft appropriate submissions.
Help draft amendments for reports and prepare briefing material.
Undertake research on relevant subjects as directed.
Research and monitor local, regional, and national media coverage online and through social media and brief the MP on relevant issues.
Handle administrative arrangements for meetings with members of the public/MP surgeries/stakeholder meetings/APPG meetings.
Attend and participate in meetings and surgeries and follow up as appropriate.
Engage professionally, confidentially and with care and integrity with members of the public, through a variety of methods
Respond to enquiries by telephone, email and social media, passing on queries to another team members/MP as appropriate
Deal with large numbers of standard queries, as well as assisting on more complex cases from members of the public by phone, email, social media, or face to face. Ongoing communication will be required
Draft responses to constituents
Assist in the updating of social media on request
Efficient data and file management to ensure the office complies with the data protection legislation
There may be a requirement for the role holder to work outside of normal working hours and travel for work occasionally.
Essential skills/criteria:
Previous experience handling enquiries from members of the public
Ability to deal with and prioritise a varied caseload, and to work well under pressure
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a small team
Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
Excellent IT skills
Ability to draft letters and emails to the highest professional standard
Be willing to undertake professional training
Sympathetic to the aims and values of the Scottish National Party
Applicants for the post should be aware that initial training will be conducted on a hybrid basis, although some time in East Dunbartonshire will be required for constituency experience. Additionally, occasional travel between Westminster and East Dunbartonshire may be required for attendance of meetings, surgeries, training, and events. However, hybrid participation will be facilitated wherever possible.
The successful candidate will be required to comply with the Parliamentary Security Vetting process.
To apply: send your current CV and covering letter setting out why you think you are the right person for the role to: Amy.callaghan.mp@parliament.uk
The closing date for applications is Thursday 18th August at 5pm.
Interviews are expected to be held week commencing 22nd August.