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Political Officer

About us

The Local Government Association (LGA) is the national membership body for local authorities. We work on behalf of our member councils to support, promote and improve local government.   We are a politically led, cross-party organisation that works on behalf of councils to ensure local government has a strong, credible voice with national government. We influence and set the political agenda on the issues that matter to councils to help them deliver local solutions to national problems.

We also provide councils with the tools and resources to respond to challenges present and emerging, and support improvement across the sector.

We value diversity and encourage applications from all sections of the community to this high-profile role.

About the role 

The LGA Liberal Democrat Group, is a major force in the local government world, with over 3000 councillors across the country, providing a strong voice within the cross-party LGA and with the Liberal Democrat Party at Westminster.

We work to support Liberal Democrat councillors by:

  • Supporting the Liberal Democrat Group Leadership team and Liberal Democrat councillors on boards and in roles at the LGA

  • Maintaining strong working relations with the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party, Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors’ and Liberal Democrat Headquarters

  • Running events, meetings and workshops for Liberal Democrat councillors across the country

  • Assist in producing regular communications and publications for Liberal Democrat councillors to share ideas and best practice. Develop and deliver a communications plan for the Liberal Democrat LGA Group

  • Take the lead in the allocation of Improvement work in consultation with the National Lead Peer, maintaining all relevant systems and databases accordingly.

  • The Liberal Democrat Group Office seeks to provide wide-ranging and active support to Liberal Democrat councillors. You will work within a small team of three.

The Political Officer post will support the effective work of the Liberal Democrat Group Office by:

  • Taking a leading role in driving forward the Liberal Democrat Group Office’s media relations and communications activity.

  • Undertake research to provide support to the Group Leader, Group Executive and LGA member representatives and identify issues that will help gather support for the Group’s position on local government issues.

  • Assist in the development of a communications network between the LGA Liberal Democrat Group, Liberal Democrat councillors, shadow spokesperson and parliamentary colleagues.

  • Draft articles, edit newsletters and commission pamphlets under the direction of Head of Office, Group Leader and lead members.

  • Develop and maintain close and effective relationships with a network of councils, key external contacts and LGA staff.

  • Represent the Group office at internal and external meetings; provide support for members by producing agendas and papers for meetings and undertaking any necessary follow-up.

  • Contribute to the planning, organising and delivery of Political Group events at conferences and seminars

  • A helpful and positive can-do attitude is essential to the role, as is establishing good working relationships with others both internally and externally. You will have excellent proven organisational skills and plenty of initiative. You’ll also be a proficient IT user and will have an excellent command of written and spoken English.

  • Overseeing and maintaining office systems, database and administration systems

About you 

Experience of working in a political environment and must be able to empathise with the aims and objectives of the Liberal Democrat Party.

Some Experience of working in a communications and public affaires environment would be welcome.

You must have the right to work in the UK, the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage. 

To apply

If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the offline application form include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria of the role and email this to Recruitment@local.gov.uk before the closing date.

We are specifically assessing candidates against the following criteria:

  • Experiences of media relations, public affairs and communications activity.

  • Knowledge about Local Government and the challenges the sector faces

  • Have a good network of contacts in the Local Government world, the Liberal Democrats and the wider sector. Including Liberal Democrat councillors, shadow spokespersons and parliamentary colleagues.

  • Undertake research to provide support to the Group Leader, Group Executive and LGA member representatives and identify issues that will help gather support for the Group’s position on local government issues.

  • Contribute to the planning, organising and delivery of Political Group events at conferences and seminars, online webinars and meetings

  • Overseeing and maintaining office systems, database and administration systems

Closing Date:       5pm,  Friday 24th January 2025

Interview Date:     Interviews will be in-person on Thursday 30th January 2025 in London

Full Political Officer Job Description

 We are in the process of transitioning our Applicant Tracking System. For this role, please complete the offline application formand email it to Recruitment@local.gov.uk

We use anonymous recruitment, which is the practice of hiding candidates’ identities. This process involves removing any identifying information from candidates’ applications which includes names. 

At the LGA we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open competition, with appointment on merit. The LGA are proud to be awarded a “Disability Confident Leader”.  If you are require  an reasonable adjustment, which is a change to the format or conditions of the recruitment process to accommodate any disability-related needs you may have. Please contact us via Recruitment@local.gov.uk 

Our benefits

  • LGA annual leave entitlement is 29 days, rising to 31 days after three years’ service and to 33 days after five years’ service, plus all UK public holidays (pro rata for fixed term and part time contracts).

  • Flexible & agile working – office-based staff are required to work in the LGA’s London office two days per week as a minimum, subject to business need and this may vary significantly between different roles and from week to week.

  • Future development – face-to-face and virtual courses are scheduled in line with developmental goals

  • The LGA offers 24/7 access to a free, confidential employee assistance programme managed by Health Assured. This service is also available for Dependants.

  • Family friendly policies

For more of LGA’s benefits and working with us, please view our webpage https://www.careers.local.gov.uk/about-us

Our values & behaviours 

Our Values and Behaviours are there to give us an understanding of who we are as an organisation and who we want to be. They are a framework to help us understand:

  • how we work with each other

  • how we work with our members and stakeholders

  • our expectations for ourselves and each other

Our values are:

Inclusive - We ensure that our work is inclusive of all voices.

Ambitious - We are ambitious for councils and their communities and are committed to striving for excellence in all that we do to support our colleagues, our membership and the sector to deliver the best possible outcomes.

Collaborative - We bring together the expertise and skills needed, working as one team.