About the Inquiry
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 leader to join the excellent team that is delivering the Inquiry.
This is an exciting role, offering the opportunity to lead an innovative team, in fast moving circumstances, to ensure lessons are learned from the UK response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Further information about the Inquiry can be found on the UK Covid-19 Inquiry website.
Conflicts of Interest
Please note that candidates invited to interview will be invited to declare any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interests which could affect the independence of the Inquiry, in confidence, to the senior conflicts of interest recruiting manager. This may include current or prior work undertaken on the COVID-19 pandemic response. Decisions on any potential conflict of interest will be made before an appointment to the role is confirmed.
The Legal Operations Team sits within the Policy, Research, Analysis and Legal Operations Directorate (PRAL), and supports the Solicitor and Counsel to the Inquiry, and their teams, to deliver their work and fulfil the Inquiry’s terms of reference.
Working to the SEO Legal Operations Hearings Manager, the Witness Lead will manage three EO Witness Support Officers and support them in their role to organise the attendance of witnesses at public hearings.
Responsibilities
Some of the key responsibilities include and are not limited to:
* Coordinating the witness support team and managing the correspondence of witnesses from various modules by developing and implementing tracking processes.
* Working with the Legal Operations Hearings Manager to oversee the support provided to witnesses on the day of their evidence by working closely with Legal Representatives.
* Line management of three EO Witness Support Officers; conduct regular performance reviews and discussions to encourage professional development and promote a supportive working environment;
* Work flexibly across the Legal Operations team to provide support and assistance to other teams where necessary, being prepared to work outside of core hours when required