Assistant Inquiry Manager Apprentice

House of Commons

The House of Commons is a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's thriving democratic system.

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Staff Benefits

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including:

• 30 days’ annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year).
• Civil Service pensionwith an average employer contribution of 27%.
• Access to training and development.
• Flexible working.
• Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan.

Introduction

The Select Committee Team (SCT) provides the staff for most select committees, the Scrutiny Unit, Committee Online Services, the Media and Communications Service, and the Select Committee Engagement Team. Our purpose is to enable backbench MPs to use the power of those committees to help hold the Government to account. The Team provides support and advice for all aspects of the work of select committees.

Select committees have MPs from different political parties who work together to hold the Government to account on matters of policy, administration and expenditure.

The Role

As an Assistant Inquiry Manager Apprentice working in an inclusive, fast-paced organisation at the heart of British democracy, you will be part of a team that provides impartial policy and research support to a Committee of Members of Parliament holding the Government to account.

The Assistant Inquiry Manager Apprentice will prepare papers for the Committee and liaise with witnesses and stakeholders. You will be trained and supported to provide policy support to the Committee, including drafting briefing material for inquiries and orally briefing the Committee during private meetings and you are also likely to contribute to drafting material for Committee reports. You may also work across several committees.

This role is an apprenticeship. Successful candidates will be enrolled on the Level 4 Policy Officer apprenticeship and will complete training for 20% of their time, including from an apprenticeship training provider.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• To prepare briefing papers for the Committee under supervision;
• To attend and provide advice during Committee meetings;
• To provide administrative support for Committee meetings, by helping to prepare the room and to greet witnesses and members of the public;

Eligibility

The following qualifications are required for this role:

Essential

GCSE (or equivalent) at A*–C/4–9 in English

GCSE (or equivalent) at A*–C/4–9 in Mathematics

If you are successful at interview, you will be asked to provide proof of these qualifications. Please note, these roles are apprenticeship roles. If you have a degree in an unrelated field and you have the required GCSEs (or equivalent), then you are eligible to apply.

If you have a degree in policy and/or politics then you will not be eligible for this apprenticeship. If you hold a mixed degree, where 50% or more of your degree is policy and/or politics, you will not be eligible to apply.

Please contact the Apprenticeships Team on hocapprenticeships@parliament.uk if you have any questions relating to this apprenticeship.

Skills and Experience

• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, demonstrated through the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships, including promoting diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to research unfamiliar topics and quickly acquire knowledge using a range of sources, and to analyse information.
• Communicating: Good written and oral communication skills, with the ability to express complex information clearly, concisely and with political impartiality.

Next Steps and Additional Information

• Application Form - If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an application providing evidence against criteria 1 to 5 in the Job Description.

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description.

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Information Sessions

We will be running an optional information session on Friday 23rd June at 2-3 pm, where you will be able to find out more about the role and apprenticeship. To register your interest please email: hocapprenticeships@parliament.uk