Morland Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
Person specification
Essential criteria
- Demonstrating high standards of literacy and numeracy.
- Proven organisational and administrative experience within a structured environment.
- Demonstrable experience of formal committee work, including agenda preparation and minute taking.
- Experience in budget setting, monitoring processes, financial controls and management reporting.
- Experience of dealing with the public and working independently on own initiative.
- Prepared to work towards the Certificate in Local Council Administration if not already held, to be achieved within one year of appointment.
- Knowledge of local government responsibilities, systems and procedures.
- Knowledge of the governance, operational and legal framework in which the Council operates, including local authority planning procedures.
- Understanding of the importance of good public relations and ability to raise the Council’s profile in the community.
- Knowledge of employment law, health and safety, data protection, and relevant accounting procedures.
- Self-reliant and self-motivated, with drive, determination and initiative to achieve results and motivate others with minimal supervision.
- Flexible and proactive ‘hands-on’ approach to tasks.
- Supportive, demonstrating loyalty and commitment to the organisation and colleagues.
- Trustworthy with confidential information, demonstrating tact and diplomacy.
- Community-focused, with the ability to develop and maintain good relationships with staff, councillors, external bodies, contractors and the public.
- Commitment to delivering quality service and ability to work as part of a team.
- Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to produce clear and concise written reports on complex topics.
- Ability to organise and prioritise own and others’ work, working logically to strict deadlines.
- IT literate (Level 3 IT qualification or equivalent), with sound working knowledge of MS Office, Excel and Windows packages.
- Willingness to work evenings and attend meetings and functions as required.
- Prepared to work varied hours to meet the needs of the post.
- Willingness to undertake training to acquire new skills or knowledge relevant to the role.
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience of working for a local authority or similar body.
- Evidence of providing policy and strategy advice and development.
- Leadership and staff management experience.
- Successful implementation of equality and performance management systems.
- Project management experience.
- Knowledge of the local area.
- Ability to communicate effectively with others at all levels internally and externally.
- Strategic level organisational and administrative skills.
- Formal agenda preparation and minute taking skills.
- Articulate public speaker with enthusiasm and innovative qualities.
- Business perspective and acumen, with the ability to interpret political drivers.
- Ability to develop, implement and monitor effective systems and procedures.
- Management skills, with the ability to monitor performance of others to achieve targets and meet deadlines.
- Ability and enthusiasm to adapt to change.
Updated January 2026
