About the Role:
Our remit at Maidstone Borough Council is to provide our local community with well-considered services that will promote economic, environmental, social and cultural prosperity.
We want to ensure that our residents and local businesses benefit from high-quality, value for money, initiatives and that is where you come in. As our Research and Policy Officer, you will play a vital role in helping us make the most effective decisions. Providing policy and research support across our ambitious organisation, you will have the chance to get involved in key projects, initiatives and policy development. Conducting research into a wide variety of services and corporate issues, you will analyse a broad range of information before producing insightful briefings and reports. You will be proactive in horizon scanning and encouraged to take a visible role in the organisation, so that services are well informed and able to respond to changes that could impact on their work.
About You:
Previous experience of working in a research or policy environment or a background in local government or a public authority would be useful but is not essential. This role would be suited to a someone who is looking for their first step into a local government or a policy/research role:
- You will be a highly literate individual with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- We will expect you to have at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above (including maths and English) plus a degree or equivalent experience in the sector.
- You should be capable of balancing multiple priorities.
- You will have the ability to manage your own workload, and you will enjoy working collaboratively to solve complex problems.
- You will have experience of using Microsoft Office products.
In turn we can offer you a highly interesting role, with the chance to build a great network of contacts across the Council. If you are ready for the challenge, then we would be delighted to receive your application.
The Council considers that all roles should be able to communicate clearly and concisely.
About Maidstone Borough Council:
Maidstone Borough Council is a confident organisation with ambition and aspirations to deliver high quality services to our residents and local businesses. We strive to make the borough an attractive place for all and secure a successful economy. We continue to build on our strengths - assets, knowledge and expertise and our track record for innovation and improvement to create a financially sustainable future so that we can continue with our undiminished plans.
We will only achieve the results we are aiming for through the talents and hard work of all our people. You are encouraged to become part of our vision and in return you can expect support, training, and fair reward from us. We will give you the opportunity to develop the skills to do your job well and create a positive working environment where your ideas about improving how we do things are valued and we manage the changes needed for new ways of working well.
At Maidstone Borough Council we recognise the importance of flexible working and the benefits this can bring to both our staff and the Council. We know that by offering employees a range of flexible working opportunities we can positively impact their wellbeing and engagement, and drive productivity in return. As such we have developed a highly flexible hybrid working policy, alongside our flexi time and flexible working policies, enabling staff to shape their working patterns around building a greater work life balance.
Our Offer:
A range of benefits including:
- Highly flexible hybrid working opportunities
- 7am to 7pm flexi time to suit personal circumstances for most roles
- Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
- Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New year.
- Range of flexible working opportunities to accommodate people’s home/work life balance including compressed hours, 9-day fortnight, part time.
- Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
- Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
- Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
- Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
- Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
- A professional fee payment, if required for the role
Selection Process:
Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.
Maidstone Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.
Maidstone Borough Council has a Sponsor License which enables successful candidates in eligible roles to be sponsored for work Visa purposes.
If you would like to discuss this position, please contact Orla Sweeney, Senior Policy and Engagement Officer on 01622 602524.
Interview Date: Wednesday 26 July 2023