Senior Democratic Services Officer (Scrutiny Officer)

Are you looking for a role where you can help shape something new, make a visible difference and work alongside people who care deeply about their place? If so, HSCCA could be a brilliant next step. We are building a new Combined County Authority for Hampshire and the Solent, bringing together partners across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton to bring investment to the region and to create opportunities for our people, places, communities and businesses.

The Role As the Authority’s designated statutory scrutiny officer, you will lead and support an effective overview and scrutiny function, helping to ensure transparent, accountable and evidence-based decision making. You will provide impartial professional advice to elected members and senior officers, promote constructive challenge and ensure scrutiny activity meets statutory and constitutional requirements. What you’ll be doing In this role, you’ll provide: Scrutiny leadership and professional advice - Promote the purpose and value of overview and scrutiny, ensuring elected members, officers and partners understand their roles and responsibilities. Provide impartial professional advice, research, policy analysis, training and procedural guidance to scrutiny committees, task groups, elected members and senior officers. Work with the Scrutiny Chair to develop and deliver an effective annual work programme aligned with the Authority’s strategic and community priorities. Help create an environment in which scrutiny can inform policy, monitor performance and strengthen outcomes for residents, communities and stakeholders. Governance and delivery - Lead the planning, administration and support of scrutiny meetings and reviews, including scoping, agenda planning and publication, report drafting, evidence gathering and follow-up. Ensure scrutiny activity complies with the Local Government Act 2000, the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, EDCEA 2026, the HSVCCA Regulations 2026, the Authority’s constitution and other relevant statutory and governance requirements.

What you’ll bring We’re looking for someone with: Strong knowledge and practical experience of the legal, statutory and political framework for local government or combined authorities, including democratic governance and scrutiny. Experience of supporting, managing or delivering democratic, governance or scrutiny services in a public-sector or political environment. Experience of advising and building credibility with elected members, senior officers and external stakeholders. Good understanding of constitutional governance, standards, decision-making processes and political impartiality. Ability to provide professional leadership, influence others and build engagement with scrutiny and democratic processes. Desirable: ADSO Diploma in Local Democracy, Certificate in Democratic Services Knowledge, or an equivalent qualification. Substantial experience in local or combined authority governance or democratic services.

Why join the HSCCA? We are building the HSCCA on the basis that how we work is as important as what we deliver. We want people who bring enthusiasm, drive, and authenticity - who are proactive, open to challenge, and motivated by progress rather than process. We act in line with the Nolan Principles. We use public money responsibly, make evidence-based decisions, and hold ourselves to high standards of integrity, inclusion, and accessibility. We expect feedback to be given and received constructively, challenge to be welcomed, and relationships to be built on openness, trust, and mutual respect. This is a complex, fast-moving environment. We need people who are energised by that. What the HSCCA will offer in return? Joining Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority (HSCCA) is an opportunity to help shape a newly established public service organisation as it takes on new responsibilities devolved from Government. You will have a genuine voice in how we develop, while working on high-profile projects that positively impact communities, businesses and the wider region. Our reward package includes: Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) , with a current employer contribution rate of 18.1%, life cover and family benefits, flexible retirement options, and the opportunity to make Additional Voluntary Contributions. A competitive salary and generous annual leave allowance , in addition to public holidays: Grades T/A–E: 30 days, increasing to 32 days after five years’ service Grades F–K: 32 days, increasing to 34 days after five years’ service Health and wellbeing support from November 2026 , including online GP access seven days a week, an Employee Assistance Programme, confidential counselling and wellbeing resources. Perkbox benefits from November 2026 , including retail and lifestyle discounts, savings on home electronics, a Cycle to Work scheme, health and wellbeing offers, and financial wellbeing resources. The HSCCA is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone feels valued and able to thrive. We are committed to removing barriers to employment. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know so that we can support you.

Further information As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we run a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants. If you meet the essential criteria listed in the job description for this position and would like to be considered under this scheme, please state this in your application. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. As part of this, we use anonymous shortlisting to ensure candidates are assessed solely on their skills, experience, and suitability for the role.