About the job

Job summary

House of Commons

The House of Commons is a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's thriving democratic system. 

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Introduction 

The research service of the House of Commons Library provides impartial information and analysis to individual Members of Parliament (MPs), their staff and select committees.

We are looking for two new Enquiry Executives to join our teams to support the work of the Research service. We are advertising one post in the Economic Policy and Statistics section and one post in the Social and General Statistics Section.

The Economic Policy and Statistics section and the Social and General Statistics section are part of the Research & Information team. The Research & Information team is committed to increasing diversity and to fostering an inclusive workplace culture. We welcome and encourage applications from diverse people, from all backgrounds and with many different skills, experience, and perspectives. We particularly encourage applications from those who are currently underrepresented within our team, especially at senior level. This includes disabled people, people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, and Black, Asian, and minority ethnic people.

We encourage you to take a look at the Work with us section of our website to see what it’s like to work in the Research and Information team, with information on our values, people and opportunities, as well as on the recruitment process.

Job description

The two post-holders will support researchers in the Economic Policy and Statistics section and Social and General Statistics section to produce a wide range of material and other services, including confidential answers to research requests from Members of Parliament and briefings on legislation, debates and topical subjects. These briefings are made available to MPs and, in most cases, are available on the House of Commons Library website.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate good research, communication and customer service skills. Because much of the work is data-driven, the job also requires someone who is comfortable dealing with numerical information. Training will be provided.

If appointed, specific training and support will be provided to help you develop the skills and knowledge required for this job. You are not expected to know everything about the work of Parliament or know how to perform unfamiliar tasks without training, support and supervision in the early stages.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• Taking research requests from MPs and their staff through multiple channels, such as by telephone, email and in person, across the range of topics dealt with by the Economic Policy and Statistics section or Social and General Statistics section. This includes managing customer expectations and negotiating deadlines.
• Responding to straightforward and routine requests for published information. Collaborating with colleagues and assisting with more complex requests under the supervision of the section’s specialist researchers.
• Presenting information in a way that is appropriate to customer requirements and consistent with Library standards, including in written form, spreadsheets, tables, charts, web pages and oral communications. Training and support will be provided.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:

• You are comfortable in dealing with numerical information and spreadsheets and keen to enhance and develop these skills.
• You are able to use research skills to find and assess appropriate sources. You have experience of finding reliable, accurate and relevant information. You understand the importance of providing impartial and trusted research for MPs.
• You communicate clearly both orally and in writing and can explain complex information to diverse and non-specialist audiences.
• You are able to plan, prioritise and organise your own workload to meet deadlines, while maintaining high quality standards.
• You are able to work on your own initiative and as part of a team, and will uphold our principles of equality, diversity, inclusion and political impartiality at all times.

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

• Application Form - If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an application providing evidence against criteria 2-5 in the Job Description. 

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

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

Information Sessions

As part of the process, we will be running virtual information sessions on MS Teams for you to find out more about the roles and working at Parliament. These sessions will be on:

• Wednesday 13th March, 11am-11:45am

If you select this slot, please send an email to pearseg@parliament.uk by 9am on Wednesday 13th March confirming your slot.

• Thursday 14th March, 4pm-4:45pm

If you select this slot, please send an email to pearseg@parliament.uk by 9am on Thursday 14th March, confirming your slot.

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.