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About Haringey

Haringey is a fantastic place to live and work – the world in one borough. A place brimming with creativity, personality, radicalism, and community. It is a place where we stand up for each other. A place that is proudly distinctive. We’ll be celebrating all this and more as the “rebel borough” when we are the 2027 London Borough of Culture.

Our history champions change-makers and everyday rebels; revelling in our differences, battling discrimination, championing equality, and doing things our own way. Haringey’s people are a huge asset, with knowledge, expertise, and passion. Our staff members embody our organisational values: Caring, Creative, Courageous, Collaborative and Community-focused. These values keep us looking forward, ambitious for the future, and continuously striving to do our very best for all of our residents.

About the Role

The role of the Personal Assistant (PA) to the Assistant Director involves providing comprehensive administrative support, including managing the Assistant Director's schedule, arranging meetings, and coordinating appointments. This includes maintaining an organized diary, ensuring all relevant background papers are prepared for meetings, and managing a brought-forward file. The PA is also responsible for the timely and high-quality response to Members' Enquiries, complaints, and Freedom of Information requests, including tracking and logging these items and pursuing deadlines as needed.

In addition to administrative duties, the PA will conduct research and gather information to support the Director or Assistant Director, ensuring that high-priority issues are addressed promptly. The role also includes coordinating projects and initiatives, organizing and servicing advisory meetings, preparing agendas, and taking minutes. Collaboration with the Director’s Support Team is essential, providing both specific and general support to senior managers and stepping in for the Executive Assistant when necessary.

The PA will act as a primary point of contact for public callers, schools, staff, and Members, managing interactions and screening visitors without appointments. Maintaining and improving office information systems, both manual and electronic, is crucial, including developing spreadsheets and databases to enhance efficiency. The role may also involve additional duties as requested by the Director or Assistant Director, within the scope of the position and its grade.

Working for Haringey

At Haringey Council we are committed to creating a workplace culture where all our people feel valued, included, and able to be their best at work, and we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce so welcome applications from all ethnicities and communities so that we continue to make a difference to our residents and community.

Our benefits package includes a leave entitlement up to 31 days + bank holidays, potential hybrid working opportunities, health and well-being support, a generous local government pension scheme and a range of discount schemes across leisure and culture that provide both financial and money-saving discounts.

Please note: we reserve the right to end this advert before the noted deadline if we receive sufficient applications. If you wish to apply for this role please ensure that you do so as soon as possible.

Additionally, we are aware that automated emails may be diverted through to junk email folders.  Please continue to check these through the application process.  If you have any questions about the status of you application please contact 

About You

The role requires a high level of literacy and numeracy, essential for producing complex reports and managing detailed data. Candidates should have at least two years of experience in a public sector organization, ensuring a solid understanding of relevant practices and procedures. Demonstrated experience in effective team collaboration is crucial, as the role involves building and maintaining strong relationships with colleagues, teams, and external organizations to achieve positive results.

A diplomatic and sensitive approach is necessary to handle politically charged or delicate situations with discretion and flexibility. Clear and effective communication skills are vital, enabling interaction at all levels with staff, Councillors, clients, and external agencies, as well as the ability to produce detailed and accurate reports. The role also demands excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence various stakeholders successfully.

The ideal candidate should be an adept problem-solver with a creative and organized approach to work challenges. The ability to work efficiently under pressure, manage time effectively, and prioritize tasks to meet tight deadlines is essential. Experience in coordinating cross-organizational projects and managing multi-agency initiatives is important for this role.

Advanced IT proficiency, including a strong command of Microsoft Word, Excel, and database systems, is required. Additionally, the candidate should be able to identify and implement methods to enhance the value for money in services. A good understanding of local government operations, democratic processes, and key issues, including the well-being agenda, is expected. Familiarity with legislation and policies related to Children and Young People, along with a commitment to the Council's equal opportunities policy, is also necessary