Location

Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Manchester, York

Summary

In May 2021, the Prime Minister made a statement in the House of Commons that the Government will establish an independent public inquiry on a statutory basis, with full powers under the Inquiries Act of 2005. 

In December 2021 Baroness Heather Hallett DBE was appointed as Chair to the Inquiry and following an initial set up phase we are now looking for exceptional staff to join the Inquiry team. The Inquiry sits independently of the Government with the Cabinet Office acting as the sponsoring department. 

We are recruiting for a Head of Research and Analysis, who will lead a team of research and analytical specialists working to support the Chair and Senior Leadership Team of the Inquiry, by assisting in the process of informing and analysing the Inquiry’s work and developing potential recommendations for change. The research and analysis team sits within the Policy, Research, Analysis and Legal Directorate (PRAL). 

At the Inquiry we are committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues; an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society we are seeking to serve. 

Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role. The team encourages working in flexible and collaborative ways to learn and support each other as we begin the broadest, most publicly anticipated inquiry in UK history. 

Please note if there are any potential conflicts of interests with the subject matter, you are expected to raise these and discuss them, in confidence, with the senior recruiting manager in the first instance.

Job description

The job holder will build and lead a team of staff that will provide a robust research and analytical function to the Inquiry’s Chair, SLT and counsel/solicitor teams. Likely to be an experienced researcher with an extensive network in the academic research or analytical fields, you will need to devise and set the strategic research plan for the Inquiry. The job holder will oversee a team with a portfolio of research projects, with a mix of internal projects and commissioned external research. In addition, the job holder will oversee the Inquiry’s external expert advice, likely to be provided by world-leading experts in different fields. 

As part of the management team of the Policy, Research, Analysis and Legal Directorate, the Head of Research and Analysis will work with his or her colleagues setting the strategic direction of the Inquiry’s investigations, ensuring a collaborative approach to its policy and engagement needs, and that the legal investigations and operations are fully integrated in the Inquiry secretariat’s work. 

The Head of Research and Analysis will be responsible for building and leading a team of staff that will support the Chair, SLT and counsel/solicitor teams by providing robust academic research/evidence to underpin/inform investigations. 

They will plan, procure, deliver and manage research projects and expert working groups to support the Inquiry’s investigations and give advice to Chair and counsel teams. 

In addition they will lead an analytical function that will support specific external and internal workstreams (e.g. external engagement; performance and management information, key performance indicators). 

The successful candidate will have a strong background in research, potentially from academia, and be able to command the confidence of the Inquiry Chair, senior leadership team, and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Essential Criteria: 

• Knowledge and understanding of research principles and techniques. 

• Knowledge and understanding of key analytical principles and techniques. 

• Ability to lead, motivate and support a team to deliver high quality work that can inform key policy decisions, at pace. 

• Expertise in one or more key analytical fields (e.g. economics, operational research, data science, science) and an ability to apply a broad range of analytical skills and techniques for drawing insights from data, both quantitative and qualitative. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills including presenting analysis to non-analysts. 

• A track record of working closely and collaboratively with policy colleagues and well-developed stakeholder management skills. 

Desirable Criteria: 

• Previous experience of working on an independent inquiry, investigation or review. 

• A strong network in academic research, both within the UK and globally.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role. 

• An environment with flexible working options. 

• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity. 

• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%. 

• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check.

See our vetting charter.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

We are closely monitoring the situation regarding the coronavirus, and will be following central Government advice as it is issued. There is therefore a risk that recruitment to this post may be subject to change at short notice. In addition, where appropriate, you may be invited to attend a video interview. 

Please continue to follow the application process as normal and ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way. 

Application process 

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, 500-word personal statement and behavioural statements. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. 

You will be asked to provide 250-word statements relating to the four Behaviours being assessed at sift. 

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead Behaviour: Leadership. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

If you’re successful at sift, you’ll progress to an interview. During the interview process we'll assess your behaviours. 

Expected timeline (subject to change) 

Expected sift date – w/c 30/05/2022. 

Expected interview date/s – w/c 13/06/2022 and 20/06/2022. 

Interview location - Online. 

Further information 

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made. 

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return. 

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at: here. 

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. 

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service, Disclosure Scotland or Access NI on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk 

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section. 

Please note that this role requires CTC clearance, which would normally need 3 years UK residency in the past 3 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible. 

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you. 

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. 

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. 

Reasonable adjustments 

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

• Contact Government Recruitment Service at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.



• Complete the ‘assistance required’ section in the ‘personal information’ page of your application form to provide information we should be aware of that will enable us to support you further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact : 

• Name : Sam Hartley
• Email : sam.hartley1@covid19.public-inquiry.uk

Recruitment team : 

• Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: info@csc.gov.uk.

For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.