Vacancy Information
Division / Department - Police and Crime Commissioner
Grade - Grade G
Status - Part Time
Contract Type - Fixed Term Contract
Salary Grade Range - £27,413 - £32,740
Working Hours - 22.5 Hours per Week
The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.
The Role
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Surrey is responsible for overseeing the work of Surrey Police, holding the Chief Constable to account and helping to tackle the crime issues that matter to local people.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Office of the PCC, in the role of Personal Assistant to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey. As part of a small team, supporting the PCC, the successful candidate will have a crucial role to play in supporting the PCC by providing high level and high quality executive support to the PCC and their office.
The post holder must be an effective communicator who is able to work with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. They must be able to balance competing demands and proactively use their own initiative to make informed decisions and considered judgements.
This role requires an astute individual who is able operate in a high pressured political landscape and able to managing complex information and requests. As well as diary management, the post holder will be required to manage the workload of the PCC, arrange meetings, take minutes as required and take forward actions.
Experience of working with confidential and sensitive information is paramount.
The post holder must have flexibility to work longer and out of normal office hours, often at short notice, to meet the demands facing the PCC.
Key Responsibilities
2.1 Provide an excellent support service to the PCC, (and Deputy PCC if appointed) and senior officers, allowing them to work as efficiently as possible
2.2 Manage the PCC’s diary so that appointments and work are appropriately prioritised, allowing the PCC to make best use of their time
2.3 Manage the information and correspondence arriving for the PCC to ensure that it is appropriately handled, prioritised and that the PCC is well informed and briefed on matters of importance
2.4 Help ensure that the PCC and Senior Officers meet their statutory requirements in respect of publication of information, registration of gifts and hospitality and recording of business interests
2.5 Organise events and travel arrangements to ensure that efficient but good value and cost effective arrangements are made on behalf of the PCC
2.6 Ensure the effective functioning of key statutory and non-statutory meetings, including the PCC/Surrey Police Joint Audit Committee and PCC’s management/scrutiny meetings specifically: - Co-ordination of agendas, assembling reports, distribution of papers and publication of necessary information - Organising and arranging requirements for meetings such as venues, catering and equipment - Acting as a central point of contact for commissioning reports and information from Surrey Police colleagues - Taking minutes and distributing actions - Maintaining a forward plan of work and ensuring key decisions are logged and published
2.7 In response to Freedom of Information enquiries, determine and make decisions on disclosure according to relevant legislation and provide suitable responses to requests, liaising with senior officers regarding any perceived high risk issues
2.8 Help to drive improvements in the PCC’s administrative processes by improving operations and systems, to ensure that the service is efficient and effective
2.9 Assist with publication of key information on the PCC’s website
2.10 Attend events and meetings with the PCC as required, which may require working outside normal office hours.
Skills & Experience
It is essential that the post holder has:
3.1 A understanding of the role of PCCs and the context in which they operate
3.2 Excellent organisational skills. Ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines and to manage competing priorities
3.3 A good understanding of the application of legislation affecting information management e.g. Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, Human Rights Act, ideally within the public sector
3.4 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a strong customer focus
3.5 Good levels of IT literacy with advanced Microsoft Office skills
3.6 Confidence to respond flexibly to pressures, using initiative to take a proactive and creative approach to problem-solving
3.7 Ability to develop & maintain effective relationships and networks with colleagues and associates in Surrey Police and other organisations
3.8 Ability to work with confidential and sensitive information maintaining its integrity 3.9 Ability to work in a team and autonomously, respecting equality and diversity
3.10 Willingness to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the PCC and their office.
Further Information
The post holder is required to successfully pass Security Check Vetting • This is a politically restricted post under Section 1 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
For further information about this role please contact Sarah Gordon, PA to the Police and Crime Commissioner on 01483 630200 or pccpa@surrey.pnn.police.uk
This vacancy will be based at Headquarters, Guildford. Please note that in 2024 Surrey Police Headquarters is due to move to Leatherhead.
Additional Information
Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.
This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes. Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference. This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process.
If you are an internal candidate looking to apply for this role, please ensure that you discuss your application with your line manager before submitting an application. If you are conditionally offered the role your attendance record and any reasonable adjustments already in place will be discussed with yourself and your current line manager.
Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;
- vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
- vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally. If the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is success it will result in a transfer of employment.
Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.
Applications will only be accepted by clicking the 'Apply Now' button. CVs are not accepted as part of our recruitment process.
Diversity Statement
We are only as good as our people. It's really important to us that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we believe that as an organisation we'll benefit from the variety of thinking, approach and skills that diversity can bring; all of which helps us to deliver a better policing service.
We have worked really hard to create a safe, open and inclusive culture. We have a range of staff networking groups to provide specific support and advice and we are proud to be members of Stonewall and Disability Confident, and to be aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.
We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities so, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status or religious beliefs, we would love to hear from you.