VACANCY FOR A PARISH CLERK AND/OR RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER
Job Title: Clerk & Responsible Finance Officer (RFO)
Hours: 61/month
Salary in accordance with NJC scale LC2 (SCP18-23) (£31,537-£34,434/annum pro rata), depending on experience.
Shipton-under-Wychwood Parish Council is seeking a highly motivated, conscientious and proactive individual for the role of Parish Clerk & RFO. This role can be divided if needed. This is a varied and engaging role, suitable for a community-minded individual, supported by a dedicated and hard-working Council. If you have the right skills, experience is not essential; a transition period, assisted by the current Clerk, would be available. The role also comes with many other, easily accessible, opportunities for support and education.
The Clerk’s role includes:
• preparation of agenda, and supporting information
• writing of monthly meeting Minutes, and carrying out actions from those Minutes
• advising Council on correct procedure
The RFO is responsible for:
• financial records, utilizing an online accounts package
• invoices and payments • creating and monitoring the annual budget
• administration for, and actioning advice of, Internal & External Audits
The Council, therefore, would like someone with good verbal and written communication skills, IT literacy, financial management abilities and the willingness to learn and follow regulations. Good interpersonal skills are also needed, to deal with a wide range of individuals, within the community and external organisations. Candidates need to be professional, well-organised, efficient and solution-oriented.
The role is 61hours/month, mainly working from home (with a home-workers allowance) but with a monthly meeting in Shipton every 3rd Thursday evening, and occasional additional meetings, e.g. budget meeting and Annual Parish meeting. A laptop and printer/scanner, a NeST pension, 33 days annual leave pro rata, and funded training courses are provided.
The parish of Shipton-under-Wychwood is a village, with a population of approx. 1,240, situated in West Oxfordshire, on the A361 between Chipping Norton and Burford. It attracts all ages, having an excellent Junior School, a GWR Cotswold Line rail station, allotments, a well-used village hall, and a village church. It currently has a precept of £48,173, and a full Council, with 7 Parish Councillors, who all take a very active role in Council business and greatly value their clerk.
Selection Criteria
Preference is likely to be given to those with previous Clerk experience, although candidates with an appropriate skillbase will also be considered. Knowledge of the village, or one like it, would be valuable.
For more information, please see the full job description https://shipton pc.gov.uk/documents/clerk-rfo-job-description/ , or feel free to email the Parish Clerk at clerk@shipton-pc.gov.uk for an informal discussion or to get a simple response to a question. You are welcome to attend one of our monthly meetings. The next is Thurs 16th July, 7pm at the New Beaconsfield Hall.
To apply for the position, please email your CV and covering letter, outlining your interest and suitability, to Simon Randall, Chairman of Shipton-under-Wychwood Parish Council at simon@shipton-pc.gov.uk.
Closing date for applications: 5pm, 7th August 2026. This date will be extended if there are no suitable applicants.