This post offers a great opportunity to improve how our nation and HMG will work for years to come for the benefit of society and individuals. Working within the Inquiry team offers the chance to develop core and highly transferable skills in policy, analysis, communications, engagement and the interaction between policy and legal issues.
GO-Science is a hard-working and welcoming team, with very high People Survey Skills and a strong sense of purpose and mission.
About the role
GO-Science (GOS) has played an important role in the formulation and communication of Science Advice throughout the COVID-19 pandemic response. This is achieved via the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) and through the consensus advice on COVID-19 generated by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). HMG has committed to a full statutory Public Inquiry. This will commence in Spring 2022. With this in mind, we are now expanding our existing Inquiry preparation team. We want to ensure GOS is ready as a department to participate fully with the Inquiry and support the GCSA.
The GO-Science COVID-19 Inquiry and Scrutiny team is headed up at Deputy Director level, comprising two Grade 6 led teams. One leading on Engagement and Disclosure and the other on Policy and Governance. We are currently seeking to fill the COVID-19 Inquiry G6 team lead on Engagement and Disclosure.
The role is rewarding, challenging, interesting and diverse. The post will focus on two main areas. Firstly, leading on engagement and witness support and secondly, leading on disclosure.
Once the Inquiry Terms of Reference are announced and the process commences, along with your colleagues you will provide engagement with and wider support to GO-Science as an organisation. This will also involve supporting the GCSA, SAGE participants and SAGE subgroup participants for whom the department takes a lead. You will also support those called as witnesses providing evidence, written statements, and oral statements. You and your team will coordinate the responses to the Inquiry’s formal requests. These can take the form of document disclosure and the analysis of documents disclosed to GO-Science. The role will require working with lawyers, Counsel and other inquiry teams across government departments and agencies, the devolved administrations and establishing relationships at all levels of GO-Science.
Responsibilities
Draft and/or lead on production of clear, concise and impactful witness document packs, reports, papers and submissions. Taking ownership of ensuring GO-Science contributions are timely, robust and accurate, all the while supporting other team members with their own outputs.
Lead engagement across HM government, government legal department and Counsel.
Lead engagement within GO-Science and with SAGE and SAGE sub-group participants (for whom GO-Science is responsible) on matters relating to the Inquiry.
Work with HR, wellbeing, security and communications leads to develop a programme of witness support for those required to give evidence and those affected (directly and indirectly) by the Inquiry.
Provide authoritative, accurate and insightful advice on the Inquiry to senior leaders inside and outside of government who may be closely affiliated with SAGE
