Electoral Services Manager (temp) - Basildon Borough Council
Temporary (3-6 months), Full Time
£25.63 - £27.77 per hour
Location: Basildon
Closing Date: 5th March 2025
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Basildon Council to recruit an Electoral Services Manager.
Job Purpose
To lead and manage the council’s electoral services team ensuring that statutory requirements are adhered to and managing the team in undertaking duties relating to the compilation, maintenance and supply of the register of electors for the Basildon Borough. To work in accordance with relevant legislation and guidance and other related duties and reviews, including community governance reviews and polling places reviews.
To be the technical expert for all matters relating to elections and electoral registration.
To be responsible for the preparation and undertaking of the annual electoral canvass, supporting the Returning Officer in the organisation and efficient and effective delivery of all elections held in the Basildon Borough.
Duties
1. Leadership and management of the electoral services team ensuring that recruitment, training, development, appraisal, performance, workload allocation, supervision, quality assurance, risk and other management activities are carried out effectively and in accordance with council policy to ensure effective service delivery.
2. Responsible for the compilation, maintenance and supply of the register of electors for the Basildon Borough and all other related electoral matters in accordance with the range of relevant legislation and guidance ensuring that all legislative requirements and deadlines are adhered to.
3. Maintain an awareness and understanding of legislative changes in connection with electoral registration and elections and develop and implement working practices and arrangements to ensure that the council complies.
4. Responsibility for ensuring that the annual electoral canvass is effectively undertaken through effective project planning and implementation and making all necessary arrangements, including appointment of canvassers, appointing print contractors and ensuring that the canvass is delivered in accordance with the budget and timescales and with high satisfaction levels.
5. Responsible for maintaining the register of absent voters and the undertaking of the annual postal vote refresh in accordance with statutory requirements and timescales.
6. To lead the conduct and implementation of all electoral, polling and community governance reviews in the borough.
7. Lead in the organisation and delivery of all elections and referenda held in the borough.
8. Responsible for preparation and submission of returns to the Electoral Commission including Performance Standards and information, as requested.
9. To make arrangements for the employment of temporary staff for canvasses, referendums and elections, and provide appropriate training and guidance.
10. Interpret, develop and implement new working practices arising from legislative changes to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
11. To deal with all complaints related to the service and effectively manage difficult situations and stakeholders.
12. Ensure the service operates as effectively and efficiently as possible through reviewing and streamlining working practices and the increased utilisation of IT.
13. Responsible for planning and management of the electoral services budget, ensuring services are delivered in accordance with the approved budget and effective budget monitoring and reporting is undertaken to identify and address any variances.
14. Responsible, as the Information Asset Owner for the effective operation and maintaining of the Council’s Electoral Management IT System and all personal data held therein ensuring compliance with relevant electoral and data protection legislation. Ensure the services processes and handles confidential information in accordance with data protection requirements and electoral legislation.
15. Develop effective relationships with other council services and partners to ensure effective use of data in maintaining an accurate electoral register as well as effective relationships with elected representatives, political parties and the Electoral Commission.
16. Ensure that the team responds to a wide range of enquiries from the general public, councillors and other officers of the council regarding the register of electors and elections in accordance with legislation and guidance and interpret legislation and guidance, as necessary and that all communication is of a high standard and in a timely manner.
The Experience You Will Bring
* Holds an Association of Electoral Administrators Certificate in Electoral Administration.
* Experience and knowledge of effective development and maintenance of an Electoral Management System, and control of data held therein.
* Experience of dealing with enquiries from the public and giving advice both over the telephone and on a face to face basis.
* In-depth understanding and knowledge of electoral services and elections management with substantial experience of working in an electoral services environment.
* An understanding of the political system in the UK and working within a political environment.
* In-depth knowledge and understanding of wide ranging electoral legislation and the ability to interpret legislation and guidance and develop relevant working practices.
* The ability to lead and supervise a team.
* Able to build and maintain relationships and networks.
* Applies specialist and detailed technical expertise.
* Develops job knowledge and expertise through continual professional development.
* Plans activities and projects well in advance and takes account of possible changing circumstances.
* Ability to cope well under pressure.
If you would like to see a copy of the full role profile, please email thea.towers@essex.gov.uk
Why choose Basildon Council?
Basildon Borough Council is one of the largest local authorities in the East of England region and serves a population of approximately 172,000 people. The town of Basildon is regarded as a key economic hub with the main areas of employment being engineering, research and development, distribution and financial services.
Basildon is also the second biggest economy in the Thames Gateway, outside of Canary Wharf.
Working for Basildon Borough Council means making a practical and positive difference to the lives of people living and working in the Borough and provides a fulfilling career.
Each of our employees - whatever job role they are undertaking - can feel motivated by having a unique opportunity to use their skills to make Basildon a better place to live. Whether it is conserving our countryside, by regenerating our Borough, by housing our residents or by collecting the refuse on time.
Note: ECC are advertising this role on behalf of Basildon Council.
Basildon Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults, and expects all employees, contractors and volunteers to share its commitment to prevent abuse, harm or exploitation.
The Council applies a robust recruitment vetting process. If you are successful you will need to undergo a Pre-employment Vetting Procedure.
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