Investigations Support Officer

Positions   2 Band / Grade   B1 Salary   £41,340 - £47,975 per annum Contract Type   Fixed Term Contract Length   2 years fixed term with the possibility of extension or permanency. Working Pattern   Full Time Location   Hybrid (on-site and remote) Leave entitlement   Starting at 30 days per annum, pro-rata Closing Date  

19th January 2025 at 23:55

Interview Date(s)   Interview dates to be confirmed. Job Description   Investigations Support Officer Job Description.docx – 933KB Opens in a new window
Converted File Investigations Support Officer Job Description.docx.pdf – 443KB Opens in a new window Additional File   House of Commons Benefits and Support.pdf – 581KB Opens in a new window  

UK Parliament

Working at the UK Parliament offers a unique and rewarding career at the heart of the UK’s democratic system.

With a wide range of roles available, our impartial colleagues enable the day to day running of the House of Commons, House of Lords and Joint Departments. Together, we make Parliament happen.

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 pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. 
• Access to training and development. 
• Flexible working. 
• Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan.

Introduction 

The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme is a parliament-wide scheme, created in response to allegations of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct in the parliamentary community. Set up in 2018, the Scheme is now fully implemented across Parliament, and the ICGS team provides essential support to the operation and improvement of this important, high-profile service. The team manages the independent investigations and ensures the ICGS policies, procedures and processes are applied effectively and equitably across different members of the parliamentary community. The team works closely with independent investigators as well as decision-makers for all the groups covered by the Scheme (including the House of Commons and Lords HR teams and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards for the Commons).

The Role 

The ICGS Investigation Support Officers are a new and important role. They are specifically employed to support the work of the external independent investigators investigating complaints of bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct in Parliament. Their high-quality investigative skills will support the collection, assessment and presentation of evidence. Crucial to the role is excellent interviewing skills, as they will be expected to plan, and support interviews, sometimes leading interviews and also checking the accuracy of transcripts. They are expected to be experienced in conducting high-quality interviews and evidence collection – and will be the subject matter experts on these areas  within the team.

The postholder will also be expected to collate and present evidence such as CCTV logs, text messages and emails.

They will be expected to highlight potential further lines of enquiry from the evidence they have collated for decision from the independent investigator.

They will be expected to be able to interact with a range of diverse stakeholders including members in both houses, members staff, parliamentary staff, decision making bodies, Commissioners for Standards, and prioritise service user care in their interactions, as well as achieving the best possible evidence.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• Preparing thorough and detailed interview plans in consultation with the independent investigator.
• Conducting and supporting complex interviews with a variety of people at all levels including those from the House of Commons and Lords and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards for the Commons and Lords.
• Using responsibility and judgement in complex and sensitive cases with limited supervision, being able to influence senior stakeholders and work with senior contractors and staff, both across Parliament and externally.
• Represent ICGS with internal and external bodies, and present outcomes while maintaining confidentiality and the sensitivity of data.

Skills and Experience 

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:

• Significant first-hand experience of investigations involving complex and serious allegations of a sensitive nature. Ability to make nuanced judgements on draft documents produced by others, justifying decisions by reference to agreed practices/procedures. Experience of good practice in investigation skills and/or assuring investigation evidence.
• Sound judgement and analytical skills, with the ability to devise pragmatic solutions to complex problems. Experience of using or managing data to make improvements to a project, process, or relevant equivalent.
• The ability to build and manage effective relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders. Proven ability to influence at all levels, including with high-profile individuals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to explain complex technical issues to diverse audiences in a way that is clear, simple and inclusive. The ability to provide constructive feedback to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a fast-paced team environment. Actively seeks input from colleagues and other stakeholders on projects.

Next Steps and Additional Information

• CV & Supporting Statement – If you would like to apply for this role, please submit your CV and a covering letter of no more than 600 words outlining how you meet the criteria listed in the Person Specification section of 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.

Please ensure that you anonymise your application by removing any identifiable factors from your CV or Supporting Statement.

We may close the vacancy prior to the closing date stated due to a high volume of applications.

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