Details Reference number 398983 Salary £56,532 - £69,338 The national salary range is £56,532 - £64,048, London salary range is £61,201 - £69,338. Your salary will be dependent on your base location A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% GBP Job grade Grade 7 Grade 7 Contract type Fixed term Loan Secondment Length of employment For a period of 2 years, extendable by mutual consent Type of role Communications / Marketing Market Research Social Research Working pattern Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time Number of jobs available 1 Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location This position is based at NIO Erskine House, BT1 4GF About the job Job summary This position is based nationally 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. Its 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 Inquirys 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 Secretariats 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. Person specification Please refer to Job Description Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Leadership Communicating and Influencing Working Together Delivering at Pace Benefits Alongside your salary of £56,532, Northern Ireland Office contributes £16,377 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Access to learning and development A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Annual Leave Public Holidays Season Ticket Advance For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. 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 developed vetting. See our vetting charter. 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) 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 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. 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. Diversity and 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. Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team Email : Telephone : Recruitment team Email : Further information Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions Recruitment Principles. I you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL () in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: