Democratic Services Officer

Interim Democratic Services Officer – Watford / Hybrid – £32.72 per hour (umbrella)

A Local Authority in Watford is seeking an experienced Interim Democratic Services Officer to support its democratic and scrutiny functions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive support to the Council’s Committees and related bodies – including arranging and attending meetings, preparing and despatching agendas and reports, advising Members and Officers on procedures, and producing accurate minutes.
• Ensure committee decisions are properly recorded, actioned, and followed up in a timely manner.
• Maintain and update the Council’s electronic committee management system and departmental records.
• Support and undertake scrutiny work, including assisting with the project management of Scrutiny Reviews.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Members and Officers, offering professional advice and guidance on governance and procedural matters.
• Stay up to date with developments in Democratic Services and Scrutiny through ongoing research and professional networking.

Essential Experience:

• Substantial experience in local government or public service committee administration, including work on democratic and constitutional issues.
• Strong understanding of the workings of Councils—particularly district Councils within a two-tier structure—their political environment, and the roles of elected Members.
• Knowledge of local government legislation relevant to the democratic process and political governance.