Secretariat Project Leads

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
The Science, Technology, Research and Analysis (STAR) Group sits at the heart of the Home Office. The group ensures the best evidence and analysis are used to address the strategic issues facing the department. We also provide the science, technology, data, and international insights and collaboration capabilities to drive delivery.
The science secretariat is a small team within the Home Office Science ecosystem. It supports four independent committees of experts, across diverse disciplines, to deliver independent and impartial scientific advice and insights to Home Office policy officials and ministers. Individuals in these roles will manage at least one workstream and lead on specific themed projects to support the Head of Office and committee chair in fulfilling the yearly commission from the Home Office.
This is a varied role which provides the opportunity to gain experience in the effective communication of science within Government and the systems in place to support the development of evidence-based policy., Role 1: Support to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD)
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is a statutory Non-Departmental Public Body that is sponsored by the Home Office. The ACMD is an independent scientific advisory committee, comprising a minimum of 20 experts with different areas of expertise. The role of the Secretariat is to support the Council in providing science and evidence-based advice to Ministers on drug related issues in the UK.
More details about the ACMD are available here: Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Further details of the post holder’s responsibilities are set out below.
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Secretariat projects lead for the ACMD. The work of the Council is split into sub-committees and working groups and members work with other experts in the field to gather evidence to underpin the Council’s recommendations to government. The work of the ACMD includes:
+ Reviewing the prevalence and harms of emerging drugs.
+ Recommendations on classification and scheduling of drugs.
+ Advice on how people can be best supported to recover from drug dependence.
+ Advice on how vulnerable groups of people can be prevented both from first using and from developing dependence on drugs.
Role 2: Support to the Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group (BFEG)
The BFEG is an advisory, non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Home Office. Members are leading experts in skills and expertise areas including law, computer science, philosophy, ethics, law enforcement and forensic science. BFEG committee members are appointed by Ministers through the public appointments process.
The committees work includes provision of independent ethical advice to Home Office Ministers on
+ the collection, retention and use of human biometric identifiers, such as DNA, fingerprints, and face recognition.
+ the retention and use of forensic data such as extracted digital forensic material.
+ the use of large datasets within the Home Office, including the implementation of systems using machine learning and artificial intelligence.
More details about the BFEG are available here: Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
As part of the secretariat to the BFEG, you will help support the development of the Committee’s advice, collaborating closely with scientific experts in relevant fields. You will support the BFEG Head of Office to ensure the effective delivery of committee meetings and outputs.
The post holder for the ACMD role will report to the Grade 7 Head of Office to the ACMD. The post holder for the BFEG role will report to the Grade 7 Head of Office to BFEG. The post holder will be responsible for the provision of high-quality support to the ACMD / BFEG (depending on allocated role).
Working pattern
Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis. However, compressed hours are available.
Key responsibilities for both roles include:
+ There maybe line management responsibilities in this role.
+ Support Project managing the administration, meetings and work required for delivery of ministerial commissioned work and self-commissioned work for the ACMD/BFEG.
+ Applying effective judgement to identify issues that may require the ability to balance the complexities arising from being the interface between the ACMD/BFEG and the Department.
+ Ensuring notes to meetings and minutes to committee meetings are done in an accurate and timely manner.
+ Working in conjunction with the rest of the Team to highlight and address any delivery, resourcing or development issues that might impact on the work and priorities for the ACMD/BFEG.
+ Using their science background, supporting the ACMD/BFEG Members to collect, synthesise and present evidence-based advice and provide recommendations to Ministers.
+ Undertaking the necessary research, interdepartmental as well as external engagement requested to support the work of ACMD/BFEG.
+ Supporting the compilation of ACMD/BFEG reports (including interpretation of evidence and synthesis of advice) and representing the interests of the ACMD/BFEG as the need arises.
Working with the ACMD/BFEG Members to highlight areas where further research may be needed, and to support addressing highlighted areas of concern.
+ Applying a project planning approach to work to clear timelines for delivery and support risk mitigation measures, including providing regular updates on the work of the sub-committees to supervise progress.
+ Working more broadly with Science Secretariat colleagues including sharing good practice identified in the delivery of committee support.
The post holder will join the Home Office Science Secretariat team within the Home Office Science Secretariat, Pathology, Regulation and Services Unit. This unit delivers continuous improvement and strategic support to the Home Office Science leadership team. It provides professional secretariat functions to our independent Scientific Advisory Committees and niche professional corporate services across Home Office Science., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Working Together
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Communicating and Influencing, For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
2. Sift – week commencing 4th November 2024.
The sift will be held on the Personal Statement, CV. Should a high volume of applications be received, the initial sift will be conducted only on the Personal Statement. Candidates who fail to meet the minimum pass score for the personal statement will not have their CV scored and will only receive a sift score for the personal statement.
3. Interview – week commencing 18th November 2024.
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be:
• Behaviours based questions as listed in the advert.
In addition, candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation that will be delivered at interview. The presentation will be assessed against 'Behaviours' on the 'Success Profiles' and will be specifically assessed against the Behaviour working together. The presentation question/scenario will be disclosed closer to the interviews.
The interview will take place on Teams.
For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.
Further information
Problems during the application process
If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
Location preference
You can select up to two locations in order of preference. Please ensure that these are locations you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at one of your preferred location(s) and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.
Reserve lists will be held for each location. Candidates will be appointed in merit order by location.
Candidates judged to be a near miss at interview may be offered a post at the grade below the one advertised without the need to go through a further selection process, providing the role has the same Success Profiles elements and essential skills. There is no guarantee that further such vacancies will arise.
Standards
All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Additional Security checks
As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.
You can select up to two locations in order of preference. Please ensure that these are locations you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at one of your preferred location(s) and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up. For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
+ Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
+ Complete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Feedback
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 security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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) (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)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
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.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

+ Science based honours degree in a relevant science area. For ACMD this may include natural sciences e.g. chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology or social sciences e.g. criminology, psychology. For BFEG this may include social sciences e.g. criminology, psychology or physical sciences e.g. computer science, forensic science.
+ Excellent written and oral communication skills.
+ Proven track record to make and develop constructive working relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
+ Good interpersonal skills and attention to detail.
+ A proactive team player equally capable of working under their own initiative organising and prioritising their own time workload.
+ Good all-round IT skills (Microsoft Office).
Desirable criteria
+ Previous experience of project management and experience of the provision of a Secretariat function is also desirable.
+ Experience of drafting reports and/or policy publications, submissions and other material for consideration by Ministers., Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) role).

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:
+ A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
+ In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
+ 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
+ Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
+ Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.
+ See more of our benefits on our careers website.