He provides clerical assistance (6)
I believe the answer is:
curate
'he provides clerical assistance' is the definition.
The answer is a person as well as being a singular noun. This is suggested by the definition.
This is all the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for curate that I've seen before include "Churchman" , "Clergyman assisting a vicar" , "Junior priest in a parish" , "His egg is said to be good in parts." , "assistant barman in Ireland" .)