JOB VACANCY

Constituency Caseworker – 30 hours per week (Fridays mandatory)

Location: Leeds with potential for home working

Salary:  In accordance with IPSA scales

Length of contract: Permanent (following 6 months probationary period)

Job Details

Hilary Benn MP is looking to appoint a caseworker to join the hard-working and committed constituency office team.

It is an exciting time to be joining the constituency team as we establish our presence in the new parts of the constituency while maintaining our links in the original wards. The successful candidate will be expected to quickly develop sound political knowledge of the constituency and an understanding of how Hilary as the local MP can support and advocate for his constituents.

Applicants should have a strong command of written and spoken English, a good telephone manner and be efficient and well-organised with strong attention to detail and a genuine passion to serve the constituents of Leeds South.

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Responding to constituency casework in a timely manner; gathering relevant information and liaising with the team or external organisations to resolve cases; logging all cases in accordance with data protection legislation onto our caseworking system.
• Drafting correspondence to constituents and other stakeholders.
• Handling large numbers of standard queries from members of the public by phone, email or post.
• Assist with surgeries and follow up as appropriate.
• Any other duties related to the post and appropriate to the pay band as directed and agreed by the Member.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• Proficient user of Microsoft Office suite, including Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint/One Drive.
• Excellent written communication and organisational skills;
• Excellent time management and multitasking skills;
• Capacity to manage a high and complex workload, use initiative and meet deadlines;
• Ability to work effectively in a small team;
• Assist with the work of other colleagues as required and feedback escalations;
• Experience of a public facing customer service or casework role;
• An interest and willingness to learn about relevant casework areas including education, welfare, immigration, housing and health;
• Sympathy with the aims and values of the Labour Party.

A driving licence would also be advantageous but is not essential to this role.

Upon appointment you will be required to apply for security clearance, undertaken by the Security Vetting and Pass Office. See Members’ Staff Security Clearance page for further info. MPs generally pay staff in accordance with IPSA guidelines.

Closing date: Tuesday 10th September 2024

Interviews will be held Friday 20th September 2024 in Leeds

The successful candidate will be expected to start in post during October 2024 if at all possible.

Application Details

Please send a copy of your CV and covering letter (no more than one side of A4) to Boxj@parliament.uk with the subject (JOB APPLICATION –CASEWORKER).

All applications must include:

Covering letter (max 1 side of A4) explaining how you meet the skills and competences to fulfil this role and why you would like to work for Hilary Benn MP

An up-to-date CV (max 2 sides of A4)

Contact details of two referees and confirmation of any notice period you would need to give if in current employment.

To note, this position is advertised solely within the remit of Hilary’s constituency office and does not involve working with ministerial or Northern Ireland teams, nor in supporting Hilary in his capacity as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to contact each applicant individually regarding the status of their application.