Policy and Administrative Assistant

About the job

Key information

Policy and Administrative Assistant

£26,824 – £28,142 per year

37 hours per week (part-time applications are welcome)

Central Taunton

What will I be doing?

Do you want to work in a unique organisation whilst contributing to the future success of the South West, supporting the 29 local authorities in membership of South West Councils?

This job is for you if you love variety, are flexible and up for some challenges – juggling skills might help! You will be joining a proactive team of professionals committed to supporting local authorities and other public and not-for-profit organisations. It is the ideal opportunity to both play to your skills and develop new ones. It will provide a stepping-stone on your career path in local government, the wider public or not for profit sector, event management or PA and Executive Assistant work.

Our office base is in Taunton, Somerset. Given the broad range of responsibilities of this role, the expectation is that this post will spend the majority of their time in the office. However, we offer some flexibility through hybrid working.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate:

• Good self-organisational and work planning skills, including the ability to prioritise to ensure work delivered on time and to agreed standards.
• Flexibility and willingness to learn new skills.
• Good interpersonal skills, including communication, approachability, judgement and patience.
• A high level of attention to detail.
• Experience of taking notes and minutes or the willingness to develop this competency.
• Ability to undertake research, analysis and provide policy briefings.
• Excellent team working skills, contributing positively to the team.
• Excellent customer service skills, showing awareness of the level of service expected towards customers and dealing with them in a positive and polite manner.
• Ability to demonstrate personal commitment, enthusiasm and achievement of high-quality standards.

What is in it for me?

SW Councils is a small team of 30 supporting the work of all 29 local authorities across the South West and 100+ Associate members (such as police, fire & rescue services, national parks, schools and parish and town councils). We support local authorities in information sharing and lobbying on behalf of the South West to try and get a better deal for the region. We also support learning and development activity and provide specialist HR advice. Working at SW Councils is full of variety but also with the opportunity to focus on specific work areas.

A job with us as provides flexibility, fair pay, an excellent pension scheme, generous holiday allowance, job satisfaction, training and supports career development.

South West Councils values a diverse workforce and is supportive of the needs of all applicants and employees’

What are the additional benefits?

• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Flexible working, including a flexi-time scheme.
• Opportunities for professional development.

Supporting documents and information

For an informal conversation about the role and potential working arrangements, please call Graeme Young, Business and Member Services Manager, on 01823 270101.

All applications must be made using the official application form. CVs will not be accepted.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 4 March 2026.

Interviews will take place on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 March.

Apply on the South West Councils website

Apply now