Senior Elections Advisor (Implementation and Democratic Engagement)

We are MHCLG

The Elections Directorate is a welcoming, vibrant and inclusive team. We work in a high-profile, fast-paced policy environment covering electoral policy and law. This includes how elections are run, who can take part, and how elections and campaigning are regulated. We are at the start of an exciting new programme of work to implement key manifesto commitments set out by the Government, through primary and secondary legislation, and digital and operational delivery.

The commitments include:

enfranchising and engaging 16- and 17-year-olds in the democratic process;

encouraging participation by improving voter registration and democratic engagement;

reforming voter identification rules to improve accessibility;

strengthening the political finance framework.

supporting local authorities to deliver change; and

working with the Scottish & Welsh governments, and the Electoral Commission, to deliver an elector focussed environment across Great Britain.

The Elections Directorate works with a range of stakeholders including local government elections teams, the Electoral Commission, electoral sector representative organisations, ministers, parliamentarians, the devolved governments, civil society organisations and other government departments.

We are recruiting two SEOs to join the Elections Strategy and Delivery teams. These teams translate policy into real-world delivery, supporting stakeholders to implement change and future proof the electoral system. This work is critical to maintaining the safe, accurate and trusted delivery of elections, which is a no fail public service. Both roles will work closely with stakeholders, support local authorities and contribute directly to ensuring elections across Great Britain run smoothly, securely and confidently for voters.

Both roles sit within the Business Change team. While there may be some aligned work across the posts, each role has distinct responsibilities.

SEO Senior Implementation Advisor

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with local authorities and sector bodies to understand and improve readiness for safe and secure election delivery
• Support stakeholders, including local authorities through the change curve as they implement new legislation
• Contribute to the delivery of General Elections in the Elections Secretariat before and during polling day
• Develop and implement strategies to support stakeholders and deliver change
• Prepare Ministerial submissions and briefings
• Lead on drafting responses to Parliamentary Questions and Ministerial Correspondence, ensuring alignment with policy teams
• Maintain and oversee risk logs, liaising with the project management team to agree risks, mitigations and timelines.

SEO Senior Democratic Engagement Advisor

• Lead the co-ordination and creation of democratic engagement resources to encourage people to participate in democracy including resources for National Democracy week and Parliament week.
• Lead the day-to-day management of a grant scheme, including coordinating and delivering the application process
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners including the Electoral Commission, local authorities, civil society organisations, think tanks and academics
• Work collaboratively with teams across MHCLG and Whitehall to support consistent messaging and joined-up working
• Maintain and oversee risk logs, liaising with the project management team to agree risks, mitigations and timelines.
• Lead on drafting responses to Parliamentary Questions and Ministerial Correspondence, working collaboratively with policy teams

Essential Criteria:

• Strong ability to think ahead, solve problems and be proactive.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with experience managing relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, able to explain complex issues clearly to varied audiences.
• Ability to manage risk effectively, with experience maintaining risk logs or similar governance tools.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to coordinate activity across multiple teams and priorities.
• Experience of providing succinct, clear advice and briefings for Ministers and senior officials.