About the job

Job summary

In December 2021 Baroness Heather Hallett, a retired Appeal Court judge, was appointed by the Prime Minister as Chair of the independent public inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry was formally established with full powers under the Inquiries Act 2005 in June 2022. The Inquiry sits independently of the Government with the Cabinet Office acting as the sponsoring department. 

Following an initial set up phase the Inquiry began hearing evidence in May 2023. We are now looking for an energetic and collaborative Senior Research Analyst to join the excellent team that is delivering the Inquiry.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an inclusive, innovative team where you will be supported to challenge yourself in often ambiguous circumstances. The team encourages working in a flexible, collaborative manner to learn and support each other as we look to undertake one of the broadest, most publicly anticipated inquiries in UK history.

Further information about the Inquiry can be found on the UK Covid-19 Inquiry website.

Job description

Research, analysis and data are integral to informing the evidence base underpinning the Covid-19 Inquiry. The Research & Analysis Team sits within the Policy, Research, Analysis and Legal Directorate  (PRAL). 

The Research & Analysis Team has three main functions:

• Identifying and evaluating evidence on the UK’s response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic which will be used by the Inquiry in its investigations.
• Supporting analysis of qualitative and quantitative data from the Inquiry’s research projects, such as the Listening Exercise.
• Ensuring that potential recommendations for consideration by the Chair are grounded in rigorous evidence.

The post holder will work closely with the Research and Analyst team (including G7 Research Leads, other Senior Research Analysts and Research Support Officers) on a programme of research examining the response to the Covid-19 pandemic and its subsequent impact on the UK. Working in partnership with legal operations and policy colleagues to establish a narrative account of the pandemic, you will deliver insights to directly contribute to the development of recommendations, helping to ensure that lessons are learned for the future.

We are recruiting for an SEO Senior Research Analyst. You will play an important role contributing to the Inquiry by helping it to make the best use of evidence from research, data and external experts. Your research will underpin the Inquiry’s eventual recommendations for change. There will be opportunities for gaining research, data analytics and project management experience, working closely with the Inquiry’s extensive legal team, as well as for collaborating with external research organisations such as universities, charities and third sector organisations

Some of the key responsibilities include and are not limited to:

• Leading the identification and instruction of a range of experts who can provide independent expert testimony and make recommendations to meet the needs of the Inquiry’s legal teams. 
• Project management of externally commissioned research projects to generate evidence that will be adduced into the Inquiry’s hearings as evidence. This includes the day-to-day management of our large-scale qualitative research project that is collecting first-hand experiences of children and young people.  
• Leading the analysis of existing data (qualitative and quantitative) to generate data visualisations and insights on pandemic responses and impacts which can be used by policy colleagues, Counsel members and the Chair when drafting recommendations for change.
• Conducting literature reviews to synthesise the existing evidence on pandemic responses, and making recommendations based on these findings.
• Work management of EO/HEO colleagues, with the potential to take up line management responsibilities in future.

Person specification

The ideal candidate for this role would have the following key skills and experience:

Essential Requirements: 

• Research skills: Able to use your knowledge and understanding of the research process to take a structured, logical and rigorous approach to answering research questions. 
• Analytical skills: Able to source, evaluate and analyse data, identifying and resolving issues and distilling the main findings for the benefit of different audience perspectives. Experience of qualitative and/or quantitative research.
• Communication skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills,  and the ability to communicate complex ideas to a range of stakeholders.
• Project management skills: Experiences in working flexibly over multiple projects to meet competing demands from shorter-term deadlines and longer-term priorities. 
• Team-working skills: Able to establish effective relationships with colleagues across a range of different teams  and professional backgrounds, and actively seek wider input and perspectives to aid your work.
• Collaboration skills: Able to work collaboratively with external stakeholders such as charities, think-tanks, and other government departments, managing conflicting interests and demands.

Desirable Skills:

• Subject matter knowledge and experience relevant to the Inquiry terms of reference (published on the Inquiry’s website)
• Previous experience of working on an independent inquiry, investigation or review.
• Experience of conducting statistical analysis and data visualisation.

Additional information:

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,850, Cabinet Office contributes £11,029 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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application process
To apply for this role, you are expected to provide: 

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential and desirable criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
• A Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) providing evidence of how you meet the skills and experience criteria listed in the job advert.
• A Behaviour Statement on ‘Managing a quality service’ (max 250 words) providing evidence of how you have demonstrated this behaviour.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead Behaviour, Managing a quality service.

Selection process

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview

If you are successful in securing an interview you will be asked questions on the behaviours listed within the advert, and about your relevant experience. There will also be a short presentation to demonstrate the technical skills related to research and analysis. Full details of this, including the topic, and whether or not you will need to use visual aids, will be sent to you prior to your interview. 

Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – w/c 10th April
Expected interview date/s – w/c 22nd April
Interview location - remotely via Google Meets.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

Reasonable adjustments
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Services via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• Complete the assistance required section in the 'Additional requirements' page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you are deaf, a language service professional.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to  Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI on your behalf.However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Further information
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

Please note that this role requires CTC clearance, which would normally need 3 years UK residency prior to submitting an application. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return. 

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.