Debbie-Abrahams-WBD-102-scaled

Senior Caseworker Position – position now filled

The Senior Case Worker will be based in the constituency office in Oldham. The post holder will provide advice and support to constituents on a variety of issues through liaison with Government, local authority and other agencies to resolve these matters. The post holder will be required to work independently and is accountable to the Senior Parliamentary Assistant. Excellent organisational and communications skills and case work experience are essential requirements

JOB DESCRIPTION
   
The Office of Debbie Abrahams MP
Employee Name  
Job Title SENIOR CASEWORKER
Reporting to SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY ASSISTANT
Main Purpose SUPPORTS MEMBER IN CONSTITUENCY DUTIES
Staff Responsibilities N/A
 
Key Tasks
  • Provides advice and support to constituents on a variety of issues through liaison with Government agencies, the voluntary sector and others to resolve matters.
  • This includes work of a complex nature requiring the job holder to work independently and to liaise with senior level contacts.
Key Responsibilities
  • Attend surgeries and other meetings to assist the Member in dealing with constituents’ issues.
  • Deal with daily queries from members of the public by phone or in person, taking the appropriate initial action to resolve or document or escalate their concerns or enquiries.
  • Gather information from constituents to progress or close the case in a sensitive and confidential manner.
  • Attend tribunals as required.
  • Manage own caseload and progress of casework, ensuring all cases are logged updated with any actions taken and outstanding queries are followed up, with urgent cases reported to the Member.
  • Draft responses or respond to constituents on any issues raised on behalf of the Member.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant guidelines/legislation as appropriate in dealing with casework.
  • Ensure cases are dealt with in a sensitive and confidential manner.
  • Develop case work systems and procedures on behalf of the Member.
  • Analyse patterns of enquiries and produce fortnightly reports on casework activity.
  • Develop knowledge in specialist areas.
  • Ensure records of contact with constituents are kept, with details of each case by adhering to the Data Protection Act principles and respect the confidentiality of data at all times
  • Continually maintain, update and develop personal knowledge of demanding, specialised or complex cases.
  • Effectively communicate with both external and internal contacts.
  • Provide secretarial services for relevant meetings and/or provide briefings.
  • May undertake supervisory responsibilities as required, e.g., of interns.
  • Assist in the planning of events in the Constituency.
  • Competent use of IT including casework management systems, Microsoft Office, email and internet to support the above.
Any other duties related to the post and appropriate to the pay band as directed and agreed by the Member.
Member Signature    
Date    

 

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria Essential Desirable Assessed
Qualifications

  • Degree or equivalent
 Yes    Application
Experience      
  • Casework and caseworker software
Yes   Application & interview
  • Working in a political environment
Yes  
  • Working  in an MP’s constituency office
  Yes
Skills      
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Yes    
  • Excellent organisational skills
Yes   Application & interview
  • Computer literate – able to use various software
Yes  
  • Report writing – prepare reports
Yes  
  • Advocacy and campaigning
  Yes
  • Office systems
  Yes

Recruitment process

Applications including a covering letter and curriculum vitae should be sent to:
Debbie Abrahams MP
Lord Chambers
11 Church Lane
Oldham
OL1 3AN

Please mark the left hand corner of the envelope ‘Job Application’

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 12th August 2011.
Please note: I expect a large volume of applications and unfortunately will not be able to invite every applicant for an interview. If you have not heard from me by 21st August I am afraid you will have been unsuccessful this time and I wish you the very best of luck in your job search.

Interviews will take place in Oldham on Wednesday 31st August 2011 (case workers) and Friday 1st September 2011 (Parliamentary assistants).

Skip to content