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.,
• 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.