Policy Officer

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 247885**Salary**:

- £32,640 - £39,352- National - £32,640-£36,510, London - £35,241 - £39,352**Job grade**:

- Higher Executive Officer**Contract type**:

- Fixed Term
- Loan
- Secondment**Length of employment**:

- 2 years**Business area**:

- UK Covid-19 Inquiry**Type of role**:

- Policy**Working pattern**:

- Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time**Number of jobs available**:

- 2Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Manchester, YorkAbout the job

**Job 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 are seeking two HEO Policy Officers, who will provide policy advice to the Chair of the Inquiry across a range of the Inquiry’s investigation modules.

The Inquiry sits independent of the Government with the Cabinet office acting as the sponsoring department.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an inclusive, innovative team where you will be supported to challenge yourself in often ambiguous circumstances. The team encourages working in a flexible, collaborative manner to learn and support each other as we look to undertake one of the broadest, most publicly anticipated inquiries in UK history.

**Conflicts of Interest**

**Job description**:
We are recruiting for two HEO Policy Officers within the Inquiry’s Policy Team, which sits within the Policy, Research, Analysis and Legal Directorate (PRAL). You will play an important role supporting the Inquiry, by assisting in the process of informing and analysing the Inquiry’s work and developing potential recommendations for change..

The Policy Team has three main functions:

- Bringing together evidence, information and insight generated by the Inquiry, identifying recurring and significant themes and issues
- Leading policy analysis work for the Inquiry
- Developing potential recommendations for consideration by the Chair

The post holder will work closely with G7 Policy Managers on one or more of the Inquiry’s investigation modules, examining various aspects of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic and its subsequent impact on the UK. You will directly contribute to the development of recommendations addressing some of the most impactful issues affecting the UK, ensuring that lessons are learned for the future.

The Inquiry has already announced the first three of its investigation modules, examining the UK’s preparedness for a pandemic; the core political and administrative decision making in relation to controlling the spread of the pandemic; and the impact of the pandemic on healthcare systems. The Inquiry’s future work is likely to include investigations on topics such as the care sector, education and children, and the impact on business and the economy.

**Person specification**:
The role will involve:

- Support and assist Policy Managers to analyse complex information, provide evidence-based policy advice and develop recommendations for change. This will include working with King’s Counsel and their team leading each of the Inquiry investigation modules, to analyse the evidence presented to the Inquiry and identify potential solutions to the issues highlighted in the investigation
- Drafting briefings for the Inquiry Chair and senior officials, communicating complex arguments clearly and concisely to a senior audience. In addition to the work on investigation modules, there will be opportunities to provide advice on overarching themes such as inequalities, human rights, and devolution.
- Working with the Communications Team to provide policy input, where needed, into external communications and replies to correspondence
- Assisting with the planning and running of the Policy Team through, for example, tracking actions, taking notes of meetings with external organisations, and acting as the team’s information management lead
- Working with the Research and Analysis Team to provide policy support and input on specific research projects. This will include leading on establishment of a data library within the Directorate, to include headline figures and data sources

Essential Criteria:

- Problem-solving skills: You take a structured, logical and rigorous approach to identifying potential solutions to complex policy issues
- Analytical skills: You are confident in using multiple sources and types of evidence to inform your policy advice, and are able to demonstrate an understanding of different stakeholder perspectives.
- Communication skills: You are able to describe policy issues and your recomm