About the job

Job summary

We are looking for an Adviser to support the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee (SLSC). Based in the House of Lords Legislation Office in the Palace of Westminster, you will work alongside two other Advisers, providing advice to the SLSC on the policy aspects of secondary legislation (statutory instruments) covering the whole range of government policy areas.

Secondary legislation provides an important mechanism by which departments implement the fine detail of government policy, often with significant real-world impacts. This vacancy presents an exciting opportunity to get involved in the scrutiny of that legislation. Focusing on the policy aspects of secondary legislation, the SLSC complements the legal scrutiny of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments. Together, the two Committees play a crucial role in supporting the House in its scrutiny of secondary legislation.

The SLSC meets weekly (when the House of Lords is sitting) so the work is often fast paced and always very varied.

Job description

You will be responsible for:

• Examining some of the wide range of statutory instruments laid before Parliament and identifying those that are significant in terms of policy impact or have weaknesses in their policy formulation process.
• Assessing the explanatory materials accompanying an instrument (for example, the Explanatory Memorandum or Impact Assessment) and deciding whether they provide a full account or whether departments should be pressed to provide more information.
• Explaining your findings about the instrument and explanatory materials, both in writing and orally, at the weekly meetings of the SLSC, and finalising the text of the Committee’s report for publication after a meeting.
• From time to time, supporting thematic inquiries relating to the scrutiny of secondary legislation.
• Undertaking outreach activities relating to the work of the SLSC.

Person specification

To fulfil the necessary criteria, you will have:

• A good understanding of the working of government and of the role of Parliament, and of the interrelationship between the two institutions. 
• Sound judgment and a good understanding of what it means to act with professionalism and impartiality, particularly in the context of a politically charged environment.
• The ability to assimilate, understand and interrogate complex information quickly, and to develop evidence-based recommendations.
• The ability to think on your feet and respond appropriately to challenge to those recommendations by members of the Committee. 
• Excellent written and oral presentation skills to explain complicated issues clearly and concisely to the Committee and other audiences.
• The ability to communicate with a wide range of contacts, particularly Committee members, but also other members of the House, witnesses, departmental officials, and representatives of external interests. 
• Strong organisational skills and an ability to take responsibility for prioritising your work.
• Resilience under pressure and an ability to work to tight deadlines.
• The ability to maintain effective and respectful working relationships with members of the Committee, colleagues, and departmental officials.

Benefits

Details of our employee benefits can be found at https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/lords/lordshro/employee-benefits/

What you will get in return:

• 30 days annual leave (increasing to 35 after one year’s service).
• Discounts from well-known brands and retailers.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Parliamentary health and wellbeing programme.
• The opportunity to witness history in the making!

Things you need to know

Selection process details

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process, please contact HLRecruitment@parliament.uk.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission. 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.