Parliamentary Assistant

Chris Davies is the Liberal Democrat MEP for the North West of England and the ALDE Group coordinator on the European Parliament's Environment, Public Health & Food Safety Committee. He also serves as a full member on the Fisheries Committee and as subsitute  on the Budgetary Control Committee.  He is playing an active role in discussions about the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. This is his third mandate in the European Parliament.

He has particular interests in climate change (rapporteur for the carbon capture and storage legislation, and for the roadmap for a low carbon economy in 2050), biodiversity, waste management, fisheries, Israel and Palestine issues, etc.

This vacancy has arisen because his second assistant is moving to another post. The role combines that of personal assistant to the MEP, as well as research about legislative work in hand. It can be a demanding job. Those who have held it in the past have found it to be challenging, and a useful step in their career development, but the salary is limited. Chris uses his staff allowance to employ a team of people, mostly based in the UK, to assist him in his parliamentary and political work.

• The successful candidate will manage the Brussels / Strasbourg diary and make routine administrative arrangements on behalf of the MEP. He / she will also be expected to provide support to the lead assistant in Brussels as well as to liaise with the UK office regarding media, casework and other issues that affect the constituency, and - as and when necessary - to sort out domestic problems such as floods in Chris' apartment!
• The successful applicant will be expected to organise and manage events and seminars and in particular, liaise with other offices in the context of the 'Fish for the Future' campaign. Other tasks include research on the legislative briefs on which Chris works, and meetings with industry and NGO representatives. He / she must quickly acquire an understanding of Chris' personal thinking and approach as well as an understanding of Liberal Democrat / ALDE policy.
• The assistant may be expected to work from the Strasbourg office when the Parliament is in session at that location. Expenses and a per diem allowance are paid by parliamentary authorities in addition to the salary.

Anyone who wants to work 9-5 with minimal commitment and no flexibility should NOT apply!

Essential requirements include: good English writing ability, a sympathy towards the objectives of the UK Liberal Democrats (left-of-centre, pro-European, green), a strong interest in environmental matters, the ability to engage well with the teams both in Brussels and Stockport, and a knowledge of French sufficient to communicate with plumbers in Brussels would be desirable!

• Pay is expected to commence on Grade 1. The assistant's contract will be managed by the parliamentary authorities in accordance with the Assistant's Statute.

Ideally, the new assistant will start work as soon as possible. Applicants should send by e-mail a cover letter and a CV to the following address, by Sunday 28 October 2012 at the latest. Please title the e-mail CHRIS DAVIES JOB APPLICATION : job@chrisdaviesmep.org.uk