Covid-19 Inquiry : Inquiry Record Lead

In December 2021 Baroness Heather Hallett, a retired Appeal Court judge, was appointed by the Prime Minister as Chair of the independent public inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry was formally established with full powers under the Inquiries Act 2005 in June 2022. The Inquiry sits independently of the Government with the Cabinet Office acting as the sponsoring department. Following an initial set up phase the Inquiry began hearing evidence in May 2023. Our team is working to examine the UK’s response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and learn lessons for the future. The Inquiry’s work is guided by its Terms of Reference. We are a values driven organisation, and we aim to put our values of fairness, openness, compassion and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. This is an exciting role, offering the opportunity to be part of an innovative team, and to help deliver a public inquiry that is unprecedented in terms of scope and depth.

About The Team

The Evidence and Information Management Team is a key part of the Inquiry, responsible for the receipt and disclosure of evidence as well as supporting the wider organisation in adhering to information-related legislative requirements. The successful candidate will work with the Deputy Head of Information Management, and will lead work to develop and implement processes to prepare historic digital records relating to the organisation for permanent preservation at The National Archives. This will involve continuous engagement with the wider business, and may involve occasional travel to sites other than the candidate’s base location. The successful candidate will be required to manage the performance of a team, ensuring that the team is cohesive and motivated. The role will involve the line management of one or more direct reports, or matrix management, depending on the team's need. This may also include building or reformulating a team according to resources.

About The Role

Responsibilities will include, but not be exclusive to:

• Working with the Deputy Head of Information Management and Deputy Head of Legal Operations to recruit and manage a document review team.
• Managing the performance and accuracy of the document review team.
• Supporting the development and delivery of a sensitivity review process, including a process to transfer records to The National Archives.
• Developing and delivering sensitivity review training for the document review team.
• Supporting the delivery of the Information Governance comms plan, communicating in ways that ensures that recipients are able to understand and follow policies and guidance.
• Supporting the continuous improvement of information governance capabilities and cultures.
• Leading engagement with other directorates to identify and prepare records for permanent preservation.

Please note that candidates invited to interview will be invited to declare any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interests which could affect the independence of the Inquiry, in confidence, to the senior recruiting manager. This may include current or prior work undertaken on the COVID-19 pandemic response. Decisions on any potential conflict of interest will be made before an appointment to the role is confirmed.