Bristol City Council Jobs 2023 – Mayor’s Policy Assistant

Full Time, Fixed Term Contract until 31st May 2024

In the Mayor’s Office we are incredibly proud of our team who are busy working behind the scenes to support the Mayor and Cabinet by providing high quality policy and administrative support to deliver the best possible outcomes for Bristol. We put the Mayor’s priorities and core values at the heart of all we do. We are looking for someone who has a real passion for politics and a positive can-do attitude.

No two days are the same in this varied role. Using strong research skills and knowledge of the Mayor’s aims and priorities, you will be supporting the Mayor and Cabinet via our Policy Managers by promoting and defending policy positions, supporting speech development and undertaking research that will help take forward the Mayor’s priorities. This will require you to be confident drafting briefings and correspondence on behalf of the Mayor. In order to succeed in this position, you will have strong verbal and written skills, a sharp eye for detail and be discreet as you will be handling sensitive information.

To really hit the ground running, it would be ideal if you had good knowledge of Bristol’s political landscape and an understanding of the Mayor’s priorities is key. Previous experience of writing reports or speeches would be helpful. Happy working on your own initiative, you’ll also need to be a team player. If you think you could be the perfect addition to our team we’d love to hear from you.

This role is politically restricted in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. This means that you are prevented from having any active political role either in or outside the workplace. Politically restricted employees are disqualified from standing for or holding elected office, and these restrictions are incorporated as terms in an employee’s contract of employment under s.3 Local Government Officers (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990.

You are also prohibited from canvassing on behalf of a political party or a person who is or seeks to be a candidate and from speaking to the public at large or publishing any written or artistic work that could give the impression that they are advocating support for a political party.

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice – mixing both home and office working.

Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

How do I apply?

If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.

To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.

For permanent Bristol City Council employees, this post will be a secondment.

For employees who are currently on a fixed term contract with Bristol City Council, the secondment must not extend beyond the end of the fixed term period to ensure there is a substantive post to return to.

If you are currently a casual worker or a member of an employment agency (currently working with Bristol City Council) this post will be a fixed term contract.

For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification or alternatively, please contact Sally Lloyd on
[email protected]

At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.