Job summary
The Covid Inquiry and Incident Response Team leads DCMS�s engagement with the Covid-19 public inquiry. We work closely with a large legal team and the inquiry itself to ensure that DCMS can meet requests for information and evidence in a timely manner. We work with teams across the department to help them understand what the inquiry needs; to construct a clear understanding of what DCMS did throughout the pandemic; and to ensure that records are properly organised. We maintain close relationships with senior leaders as we produce detailed, accurate witness statements for public record. We are also building a comprehensive approach to witness support so that we can support anyone called to give evidence.�
The key functions of the team include programme management and disclosure, ensuring that work is properly sequenced and handles the technicalities of our information and evidence management system. In addition, our policy priorities include building the evidence base and narratives that form witness statements.�
The team sits within the Performance, Projects, Inquiry & Response division in the Project Delivery and Major Events directorate. We�re a close knit team located across multiple offices, including Manchester, and we work effectively with others across the team and directorate.�
Job description
This is an exciting opportunity to join a team working at the heart of the department's engagement with the largest, most complex public inquiry in the history of the UK. Your role will be essential in organising the department's evidence base, supporting the delivery of witness statements and assembling supporting documents. This will see you building constructive, mutually beneficial relationships across the department.
You will develop excellent user knowledge of our third party e-Disclosure platform, working with the Disclosure Manager to gather, search and present evidence, including exhibit tables. You will work closely with our external legal team as you manage documents from across DCMS during the pandemic to find the key ones that will form the backbone of our witness statements. You will also work closely with another HEO to drive the witness support workstream, ensuring witnesses have access to necessary material and are well-prepared to give evidence.�
The Inquiry is a long-running project and the department's engagement varies in intensity. As time allows, you may also lead on or support other priorities, such as research projects, drafting desk instructions, making redactions to documents or assisting with projects in the wider directorate.
Person specification
The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience:
Essential requirements:
1. Ability to drive forward work independently and prioritise time effectively, shifting priorities as needed
2. An analytical and methodical approach
3. Familiar with spreadsheets and managing data, plus a willingness and ability to quickly develop a strong technical ability with a new digital platform
4. Strong communication skills and ability to communicate vast or complex information effectively, including some experience of briefing/drafting
5. Ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders�
Desirable skills:
6. Experience of/interest in project management
7. Experience/knowledge of the public inquiry process�
We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted by Becky Denton, and will take place on:
on Wednesday 1 May
The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and wider directorate and the department. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions.
Please register your interest by filling out this and you will be sent an invitation.�
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
8. Making Effective Decisions
9. Communicating and Influencing
10. Working Together
11. Delivering at Pace
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �33,095, Department for Culture, Media and Sport contributes �8,935 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We�re committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:
12. Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working - DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home
13. days annual leave on entry, increasing to days after 5 years� service
14. A with an average employer contribution of 27%
15. Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice
16. 3 days of paid volunteering leave
17. Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
18. Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year
19. Occupational sick pay
20. Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice
21. Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks
22. Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work
23. Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!
Terms and conditions at SCS grades will vary. Those applying for SCS roles should refer to the candidate information pack for more information on terms and conditions.