Governing Bodies Advisory Officer

Salary: GBP 27,270.00 - 29,139.00 per year

Details
Job Advertisement

*PLEASE NOTE* Cyngor Gwynedd is committed to being an inclusive employer, and to enhancing the diversity of the workforce. Your application form will be assessed anonymously. Your title, name and email address will not be shared with the appointing panel for the purpose of shortlisting. You should carefully consider this when completing the further information section of the application form.

Gwynedd Council offers an attractive employment package, for more information please click on this Information Pack

Gwynedd Council operates internally through the medium of Welsh, and offers all its services bilingually. The applicant will be required to reach the linguistic level noted as one of the essential skills in the Person Specification.

We encourage everyone who applies for a job with Gwynedd Council to submit job applications in Welsh or bilingually.

( Applications submitted in English only or Welsh only will always be treated equally, but we ask applicants to consider carefully what the linguistic requirements of the job in question is and if it would be more appropriate to submit an application in Welsh.)

For further information about this post please contact Alison Halliday on AlisonHalliday@gwynedd.llyw.cymru or 01286 679958.

Application forms are available from Support Service, Gwynedd Council, Council Offices, Caernarfon, LL55 1SH

Tel: 01286 679076

E-Mail: Swyddi@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

CLOSING DATE: 10:00 AM, 05/06/2026

If you are successful to be short listed for an interview you will be contacted by E-MAIL using the address provided on your application form. You need to ensure that you check your email regularly.

Person Specification

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

ESSENTIAL

Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with good collaboration skills

Attention to detail

Reliable

Willingness to be flexible to provide cover when required within the team

Effective communication with a range of audiences

Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and Young people.

DESIRABLE

Demonstrates initiative (forward-thinking / proactive approach).

QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT TRAINING

ESSENTIAL

Equivalent to NVQ Level 3 in administration or another relevant qualification

Relevant IT qualifications or experience.

DESIRABLE

-

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

Previous administrative experience

Experience of working collaboratively as part of a team.

DESIRABLE

Broad awareness of the work of the Education Department and Schools

Experience of being a school governor.

SKILLS AND SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE

ESSENTIAL

Understanding of the principles and practices of school governance

Good verbal and written communication skills

Ability to take effective minutes of meetings

Ability to work to tight deadlines

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

DESIRABLE

Understanding of statutory frameworks and relevant regulations.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Listening and Speaking

Reading and Comprehension

Writing

Job Description
Purpose of the post
• Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the heart of everything we do.

• To provide an effective and professional advisory clerking service for Gwynedd schools.

• To advise schools and governing bodies directly in relation to their statutory legal responsibilities (constitutional matters, duties and powers).

• To work with the Governor Support Team and Governing Bodies to share and develop best practice across the county.

• The advisory clerk to the governing body will be accountable to the governing body, working effectively with the chair, the headteacher and other governors.

• This Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Responsibility for functions
• Laptop and communication equipment
Main duties
• Advise schools and governing bodies on all aspects of school governance (constitutional and procedural).

• Ensure governing bodies fulfil their statutory obligations and comply with local and national policies.

• Ensure governing bodies have current signed Instruments of Government and comply with them.

• Advise on the process for reconstituting governing bodies and updating the Instrument of Government.

• Advise governors and appointing bodies on changes in membership and expiring terms of office.

• Ensure new governors receive appropriate information to carry out their role effectively.

• Advise on eligibility, quorum, election procedures and disqualification regulations.

• Attend meetings and record accurate minutes, identifying responsibility for agreed actions.

• Advise on the establishment, membership and review of committees, including their terms of reference.

• Work with the Chair and Headteacher to prepare agendas and supporting papers for meetings.

• Ensure papers are distributed in accordance with statutory requirements.

• Prepare clear and objective minutes, including decisions and action timescales.

• Monitor follow-up actions and related correspondence.

• Ensure statutory and recommended policies are in place.

• Maintain school records, policies and governing body documentation.

• Promote local authority training programmes and keep records of governor attendance.

• Ensure compliance with statutory training requirements.

• Undertake research as required by the governing body.

• Keep up to date with educational developments and legislation affecting governance.

• Chair the part of the meeting where the Chair of Governors is elected (where appropriate).

• Support arrangements for appointing local authority governors and verify suitability.

• Advise elected members on the nomination process.

• Maintain and review the Register of Business Interests annually.

• Monitor and ensure Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are current.

• Work with colleagues to support policy and procedural development.

• Report to the Education Department as required.

• Work as part of the Governor Support Services team, assisting with wider duties.

• Responsibility for self-development.

• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council's Health and Safety Policy.

• Operate within the Council's policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.

• Responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council's information management guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.

• Commitment to reducing the Council's carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council's Carbon Footprint.

• Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job.

• Responsibility to report any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.
Special circumstances
• Required to work from Council offices and attend schools for governing body meetings.

• Some work outside normal working hours (evening meetings).

• The successful candidate will require a DBS check.