About the job

Job summary

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards.  We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

In response to the Prime Minister’s announcement of an independent public inquiry into the government’s handling of the Coronavirus Pandemic in Spring 2022, UKHSA has set up a Public Inquiry Team to prepare for, and respond to the inquiry, and to provide help, support and advice to those involved.

We are looking for a Grade 7 Public Inquiry Manager to work in Clinical and Public Health Group to support our input into UKHSA responses to the Inquiry. This role will work across the group to deliver actions on the UKHSA Public Inquiry Preparation Plan.

Location

Role available at any UKHSA base locations

London, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool

 

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow.  This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).  Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site. For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Working Pattern – Full Time, Part Time, Job Share, Flexible Working

Job description

Responsibilities section:

As a Public Inquiry Manager your main responsibilities will include:

• Working with the Head of Governance to review and deliver the Public Inquiry Preparation Plan
• Leading on strategic support in the management of records in the preparation of a Public Inquiry
• Managing effective processes to capture and share information to provide evidence to the Inquiry
• Effective stakeholder management, ensuring all key parties are engaged with at the appropriate level. Working collaboratively with stakeholders both internally and externally
• Delivering short presentations about the Public Inquiry to help support our preparatory work
• Developing knowledge by identifying, sharing and promoting practices to create a culture of learning and good practice that supports continuous improvement to optimise delivery

 

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Please review the job description for a full list of roles and responsibilities.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1500 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description, you must review this to produce your statement of suitability):

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience
• Experience of Project Management. Ability to apply those principles to the work in a proportionate way
• Experience of working on Public Inquiries or inquiry processes, who have knowledge of data or records management and or who have worked in UKHSA’s precursor agencies on the COVID-19 response
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to tailor messages for the audience
• Proven track record of building and sustaining effective relationships with senior stakeholders
• Ability to provide both critical challenge and innovative ideas
• Effective leadership and management skills. You will be expected to deputise for the Grade 6 Head of Governance as required and to coach and mentor team members to build capability
• Familiarity with working in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to prioritise effectively, enabling the team to make best use of available resources to deliver the Public Inquiry Preparation Plan
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This post will involve an interview by video. 

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 11th April 2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Shortlist: w/c 22nd April 2024

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change. 

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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.