About the IMA
The role of the IMA is to monitor the UK’s implementation and application of the agreements it has made with the EU, and the ‘EEA EFTA’ states, to guarantee the rights of their citizens living in the UK, and if legislated for in Gibraltar, at the end of the transition period. Establishing the IMA will fulfil a central and crucial commitment that the Government has made in those international agreements.
Further information can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/854222/WAB_Fact_Sheet_-_IND_MONITOR.pdf
Purpose of the post
The Inquiry Team sits within the Operational Delivery Directorate of the IMA, and conducts inquiries into the delivery by the UK government and public authorities, of the above commitments to citizens’ rights: including residency; social security; reciprocal healthcare; mutual recognition of professional qualifications and other economic rights.
The Head of Inquiry Team will be responsible for leading a busy team and maintaining high standards in a complex, challenging and wide-ranging area of citizens’ rights. The work will involve conducting inquiries into the UK government and public authorities’ application of Citizens Rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement and EEA-EFTA Separation Agreement. This is a unique opportunity to influence and shape the way citizens’ rights are applied in our national social and economic landscape.
The post-holder will develop and maintain high credibility and working relationships with other teams within the IMA, and lead a team producing effective and high-quality inquiries which ensure credibility with the IMA senior team including the Director of Operational Delivery and the Chief Executive, as well as the IMA Board which will be responsible for deciding upon inquiries.
This role requires very strong leadership, management, representational and influencing skills, both within the organisation and external stakeholders, and ability to develop and manage a team producing high quality and evidenced work and recommendations. This role will be managing a team which includes: Lead Inquiry Managers, Senior Inquiry Officers and Inquiry Support staff.
Key Responsibilities
The post-holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- Developing and keeping under review a plan of intended or potential inquiries for the IMA which supports the Board’s strategic vision and IMA business plans;
- Organise Inquiry Team resources in support of the inquiry plan;
- Developing consistent high-quality standards and methodology for the conduct of inquiries across a large range of complex issues;
- Managing a high-performing team conducting inquiries which can last several months in duration;
- Developing a high-performing team through high-quality training arrangements for new staff and on an ongoing basis;
- Leading on the agreement with the IMA Board and senior management of the terms of reference of an intended inquiry;
- Leading on the establishment of inquiries including their terms of reference with senior officials in Government Departments and public authorities, and secure their input and engagement to time and quality to support effective inquiry;
- Leading on the production of inquiry reports which are evidence based and make clear, justified and defensible recommendations and findings in relation to the UK Government’s and public authorities delivery of Citizens’ Rights;
- Monitoring and assessing UK Government and public authorities’ response and actions in relation to inquiry reports and recommendations; advising and reporting to the IMA Board on compliance with inquiry reports;
- Working with IMA lawyers to consider and advise IMA senior management and the IMA Board on potential legal action against UK Government Departments and public authorities following inquiry reports and response and actions.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job Holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the Job Holder.
Essential Skills
- Senior management experience or proven skills in an inquiry, monitoring or operational background and in a dynamic and complex environment;
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills with senior stakeholders in a challenging environment;
- A record of delivering a high standard of professional service;
- Proven record of communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, with stakeholders across the organisation internally and externally;
- Ability to understand complex and technical policy issues;
- Experience of working within, and leading others within, legally defined functions;
- Experience of interpreting complex data to deliver major projects and reports;
- Excellent written and oral communications skills.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Seeing the Bigger Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Changing and Improving
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- Civil Service pension
Security
- Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
- Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Check. Successful candidates may be required to undertake CTC security clearance in the future.
Selection process details
- This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
- As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
- Please note that your Statement of Suitability should be no more than 750 words. It should highlight the reason you are interested in the role and how your experience makes you the best candidate. You should make particular reference to the essential skills set out above.
- Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.
- Please note we do not consider CV applications – you must apply for this role through Civil Service Jobs.
Sift and Interview Dates
- Sifting is envisaged to take place from 22 June 2020 with interviews provisionally scheduled for 6 July 2020. Interview location to be confirmed.
Reserve List
- If we identify more appointable candidates than we currently have posts available, we will hold applicant details on a reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. This may include roles at a lower grade.
- Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com to be removed from the reserve list.
Nationality requirements
Note to existing Civil Servants
- The IMA welcome applications from suitable applicants. Please note that the IMA is not a Civil Service employer and so any current Civil Servants recruited on a permanent basis will cease to be Civil Servants. This means you would not retain your terms and conditions or continuity of service.
We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity
Rydym yn croesawu ac yn annog ceisiadau gan bawb, yn cynnwys grwpiau sydd wedi’u tangynrychioli yn ein gweithlu ar hyn o bryd, ac rydym yn ymfalchïo mewn bod yn gyflogwr o safon uchel sy’n denu llawer o ymgeiswyr. Ewch i https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity i gael rhagor o wybodaeth am sut rydym yn hyrwyddo amrywiaeth a chynhwysiant yn y gweithle.