About the job

Job summary

The Parliamentary Security Department (PSD) is responsible for physical and personnel security across both Houses of Parliament and provides support to Members and staff when away from the Estate. Its purpose is to keep Parliament safe and open for business. 

PSD sets security strategy provides expert advice and delivers an operational service. It does this in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and by working closely with the Parliamentary Maintenance Services Team (PMST), Strategic Estates, Serjeant at Arms and Black Rod’s office, Restoration & Renewal teams, the Parliamentary Digital Service, and other key stakeholders.  

Job description

The Candidate Engagement Officer will be responsible for helping organise ongoing high volume recruitment campaigns for the Parliamentary Security Department (PSD), in particular for the recruitment of the Security Officers roles.  The post holder will be responsible for developing and maintaining strong, meaningful relationships with candidates throughout the process, from application, through assessment and interview days as well as the onboarding process, delivering an excellent customer delivery and candidate management service for live campaigns but also to contribute to discussions and forward suggestions regarding future campaigns.

The Candidate Engagement Officer is expected to engage in all stages of the recruitment campaign using the e-recruitment Applicant Tracking System (ATS).  Working closely with the recruitment, onboarding, and security vetting teams, you will be required to keep in touch and guide applicants throughout various stages of the recruitment and onboarding process.

You will also support on ad hoc project work to support the wider PSD Learning and Development team, reporting to the PSD Recruitment lead.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• Support recruitment campaigns for PSD Security Officers; by effectively using the ATS and ensuring compliance with the House of Commons (HoC) recruitment process, KPIs, and key legislations relating to recruitment and selection (eg. Equality Act 2010), to ensure successful placement of high quality internal and external candidates.
• Provide an excellent level of service to candidates, and all other stakeholders involved in the recruitment, selection, and onboarding process. Managing expectations and responding to queries in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Keep Hiring Managers and HR representatives informed about recruitment campaigns (i.e. recruitment markets, advertising, timetables, short-listing and interview questions, making offers and providing feedback) through promoting the HoC values and the commitment to growing a diverse and inclusive workforce.
• Support the department in the smooth running of recruitment assessment days, and selection boards, ensuring that these follow relevant employment law, best practice and House policies

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:

• Evidence of delivering excellent customer service, including taking the initiative to improve service levels, influence hiring managers, and improve outcomes for our candidates
• Experience of supporting recruitment and selection activities, including delivering an exceptional candidate experience, with an understanding of relevant legislation and current best practice
• Ability to support, high volume recruitment campaigns. Ability to prioritise own workload to ensure delivery of a high-quality recruitment service, often to tight and challenging deadlines.
• Ability to work within a proactive team: able to share best practice and expertise and solve or escalate issues as appropriate. 
• Attention to detail, as well as experience of using an e-recruitment applicant tracking system (ATS) to support recruitment campaigns and optimize candidate engagement.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,150, House of Commons contributes £7,870 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an application providing evidence against criteria 1 - 6  in the Job Description. 

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description. 

The interview process will also include an in-tray exercise.  Further details will be provided if your application is successfully shortlisted for an interview.

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Security

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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.