About the job

Job summary

We are looking for candidates who are passionate about undertaking research, analysis and drafting in support of the work of the Committee Office. You’ll be joining our team in the Committee Office in the House of Lords as a Policy Analyst. We have two positions available: one in the European Affairs Committee and one in the International Relations and Defence Committee. You can submit one application for both vacancies, or express a preference for only one role on the application form.

The Committee Office is one of the largest House of Lords offices, supporting over 20 select committees at a time, spanning a wide range of policy areas.

This is a position where you will be working at the heart of Parliament. In this exciting role you will have responsibility to suggest and research subjects to be investigated by the committee, write background briefing material, inquiry scoping notes, and help draft reports.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who has a substantive background in international affairs, European and/or defence policy. If you are enthusiastic about working on a fast-paced select committee team, we would love to hear from you! You will have the option of working from home, with a minimum of 2 days a week working on the Parliamentary estate.

Job description

You’ll be responsible for –

• Suggesting and researching subjects to be investigated by the committee and writing background briefing material and inquiry scoping notes.
• Identifying and contacting prospective witnesses and preparing possible questions that members might put to them.
• Analysing and summarising evidence submitted to the committee, and drafting briefing notes on key issues.
• Scrutinising EU documents (European Affairs Committee only)
• With the clerk, drafting committee reports.
• Attending committee meetings and briefing the chair and members of the committee orally.
• Liaising with a range of people with an interest in the committee’s work and keeping up to date with relevant debates and the activity of key stakeholders.
• Other support as required, such as helping organise visits and seminars.

If this sounds like something that matches your skillset, please apply below.

Person specification

What we’re looking for  –

• Substantial knowledge and experience of the UK’s international relations, European and/or defence policy (this should include specific knowledge of one or more of the following areas: foreign policy, defence policy, international development, or international trade).
• Excellent research and drafting skills, including the ability to assimilate and summarise large volumes of material, and to produce high-quality work to tight deadlines.
• Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to represent the committee to a wide range of people and organisations.
• Good political judgement, including the ability to produce objective and balanced work unaffected by the post-holder’s political or other views.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.

The job description provides full details about the role and what we are looking for.

Benefits

What you’ll get in return

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

The work we do is vital to House of Lords, and you will be a pivotal member in the team strengthening the work of the House. The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK parliament. It is independent from and complements the work of the House of Commons to:

• Make laws
• Check and challenge the actions of the government through questions and debates
• Investigate public policy and provide a forum of independent expertise.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Please complete your online application by 10:00am on Wednesday 14 February.

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

The House of Lords Administration is committed to increasing diversity and maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of their age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender/sex, gender reassignment/trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and socio-economic status. The Administration will also consider flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments.

We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. For this role we particularly welcome applications from groups which are currently underrepresented within the team, including applications from Black, Asian and ethnic minority candidates and candidates with disabilities.

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

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). 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.