Location: Balliol Business Park, Benton Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne/Home working.
Interview Date - 18th August 2021
The role
We are looking to appoint a Public Affairs and Governance Officer. You will support the Police and Crime Commissioner in their statutory duty to secure an efficient and effective police service for Northumbria and contribute to the effective delivery of the priorities identified in the Police and Crime Plan.
The key objectives of the post are to provide support to the Police and Crime Commissioner around management of correspondence working to maintain a strong reputation and find common ground with stakeholders. Supporting the OPCC to carry out its role in the police complaints system. In addition the post holder will work closely with the Chief of Staff to strengthen governance and scrutiny within the OPCC.
What will I be doing?
The key responsibilities of this post include;
- 1. Managing the correspondence from members of the public, partner agencies, MPs, local councillors and national bodies, providing high quality responses in liaison with the PCC.
- 2. To gather information from the PCC’s communication channels and provide both strategic and operational customer insight to inform the activities of the PCC.
- 3. Supporting the Director of Confidence and Standards in responding to complaints received by the OPCC including follow up and liaison with Northumbria Police and relevant agencies.
- 4. To provide resilience in managing complex reviews of complaint investigations in a timely and legally compliant manner.
- 5. Working with the Chief of Staff to strengthen the PCCs public scrutiny programme of Northumbria Police, developing a dynamic, risk based approach driven by the agreed priorities set in the Police and Crime Plan, national developments and issues identified by local communities.
- 6. Supporting the development, management and implementation of the arrangements for governance, including key decision making, audit committee, and risk management.
- 7. Providing cover for the Executive Assistant to the PCC when the post holder is on leave including diary management and support for meetings, collation and distribution of reports, taking and circulating minutes, and publication of key decisions.
- 8. Providing other administrative and project management support including event management support.
What do I need?
Required knowledge skills and abilities
- A strong track record of delivering in a fast paced environment.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to liaise effectively and confidently at all levels internal and external.
- Experience of dealing with correspondence for a high profile organisation or person.
- Experience in public affairs and identification of ‘issues’ to inform activity to build and maintain a strong reputation for the PCC.
- Experience providing direct support to elected officials
- Understanding of the governance and scrutiny role of the PCC.
- Understanding of policing issues, especially those referred to in the Police & Crime Plan for Northumbria.
- Ability to work well individually and also as part of a team, which includes taking direction from your line manager.
- Ability to digest, summarise and analyse information for a range of audiences.
- Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion.
Desirable Criteria
- Good understanding of the role of Police & Crime Commissioners and the priorities of the Northumbria Commissioner.
- The flexibility to work additional / out of hours as necessary to fulfil requirements of the role and meet the business needs.
- Experience of minute taking and writing, with attention to detail and able to draft / edit written documents and correspondence independently.
- Excellent IT skills.
Vetting level:
Recruitment Vetting (RV)
Applicants must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 3 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance, medical information and references.
If you have any queries with regard to the application process please contact the Talent Acquisition Team by email at careers@northumbria.pnn.police.uk
All staff including those appointed on fixed term contracts must successfully complete their probationary period before they are eligible to apply for a Northumbria Police vacancy.
Vacancy Contact: To discuss the position in more detail please contact Adrian Pearson, Director of Planning and Delivery by email at enquiries@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria fully supports a policy of equal opportunities and we welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. Appointments are based on merit alone