4234 - Head of Research and Communications - Patrick Finucane Inquiry General Information Salary The national salary is £56,532 - £64,048, London salary range is £61,201 - £69,338. Your salary will be dependent on your base location. Working Pattern Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working Vacancy Approach External Location Belfast, London Region London, Northern Ireland Closing Date 07-Apr-2025 Post Type Fixed Term, Loan, Secondment Civil Service Grade Grade 7 Number of jobs available 1 Job ID 4234 Descriptions & requirements Job description On 11th September 2024, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced that he would establish an independent statutory inquiry into the murder of Mr Patrick Finucane on 12th February 1989. The Inquiry is being established under the Inquiries Act 2005 to enable the Government to discharge its obligations under Article 2 of the ECHR in line with the 2019 Supreme Court judgment and the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal judgment in July 2024. The inquiry will build upon the previous reviews and investigations which have already been conducted into this case, take specific account of the materials and information provided to and generated by them, and avoid unnecessary duplication of investigation. The Chair of the Inquiry (once appointed) will be supported by a small secretariat, providing administrative and policy support to the Chair and other office holders. The Inquiry is at the very early stages and this role offers an opportunity to make a real impact on the future direction of the Inquiry. As a member of a small team, you will have a varied role on a high-profile topic, working with a diverse group of stakeholders. Research and communications are pivotal to the set up and success of the Inquiry. It's an exciting time to be part of a growing and energetic team with lots of potential for development and growth within this role. Please note this appointment will be made subject to HMT business case approvals. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Patrick Finucane Inquiry team is recruiting a G7 Senior Adviser, based in the Inquiry's Belfast office, to provide policy, research and communications advice. The role will include managing multiple tasks at pace across the secretariat. The role-holder will also work flexibly across the wider secretariat team, providing support to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary and taking responsibility for a range of daily issues and tasks while helping coordinate the implementation of the Secretariat's policies and communication strategies. The key responsibilities of the role are: Providing support to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary across multiple functions in establishing the Inquiry and its secretariat Research and policy development relating to the Inquiry and Terms of Reference, and how the ToRs will be delivered Providing advice to the secretary, chair and legal teams on policy and communication strategies, including media management, brand and identity, website and social media activity Leading on engagement with key stakeholders Leading on correspondence Providing wider support to the secretariat team. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities; the precise job description will be subject to views of the Chair and Secretary once appointed. ESSENTIAL CRITERIA: The post holder will need to demonstrate the following in their application and at interview: Ability to apply sound judgment to complex and sensitive issues A track record of providing robust research, analysis and policy advice to senior colleagues Experience of leading communications and engagement activities with external stakeholders Strong leadership skills and a proven ability to build relationships with a variety of stakeholders, showing empathy and compassion Ability to communicate complex information clearly, including to senior stakeholders DESIRABLE CRITERIA: Previous experience working with or on independent inquiries (or similar work) An understanding or experience of working on NI legacy issues (or similar work) BEHAVIOURS: We will assess you against the following Success Profiles behaviours for Grade 7 level during the application sift and interview process : Leadership Communicating and Influencing Working Together Delivering at Pace How to apply: You will be asked to provide a CV setting out your job history, with key responsibilities and achievements. You will also be required to provide a personal statement of suitability (no longer than two pages and no more than 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience to provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification. Candidates' applications will be sifted by the sponsor Department. If successful you will be shortlisted for a panel interview. The final appointment is subject to HMT business case approvals and confirmation by the Secretary (once appointed). Please confirm with your manager that they can support a timely release if you are successful. A reserve list of appointable candidates will be maintained for a period of up to 12 months after the initial appointment is made. INTERVIEW: You will be assessed against the same behaviours at the interview stage and will be asked to provide examples of how you have demonstrated the behaviours. It may help to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the WHO or STAR model to explain: WHO- What it was? How you approached the work/situation? What the Outcomes were, what did you achieve?or STAR- What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions? All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit. Additional Information Working Arrangements & Further Information The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) - See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location's respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended). Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer. All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet. Flexible working hours The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy. Benefits The MoJ offers a range of benefits: Annual Leave Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis. Pension The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best. Training The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities. Networks The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. Support A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share. Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services. For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave. Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens. Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order To Transformative Business Services (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail ); To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (); To the Civil Service Commission (details available here) As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos. You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team. Diversity & Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. A Great Place to Work for Veterans The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: Redeployment Interview Scheme Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'. MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion. Civil Service Nationality Rules 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) Reserve list A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles. Contact Information MoJ: If you require any assistance please call (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Please quote the job reference 4234 HMPPS If you require any assistance please call (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Please quote the job reference 4234 Job Description Attachment Head of Research and Communications - Patrick Finucane (Job Description Attachment) Download | Preview | Open in a new tab Close preview Select new file Application form stage assessments Behaviours Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit 250 Leadership Communicating and Influencing Working Together Delivering at Pace Experience We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability Evidence of Experience CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability Interview stage assessments Interview Dates To be confirmed Behaviours Leadership Communicating and Influencing Working Together Delivering at Pace Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al) You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Level of security checks required Developed Vetting (DV)