Legal Operations Officer: Covid-19 Inquiry Team
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. We are now looking for an energetic and collaborative senior leader to join the excellent team that is delivering the Inquiry.
This is an exciting role, offering the opportunity to lead an innovative team, in fast moving circumstances, to ensure lessons are learned from the UK response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Further information about the Inquiry can be found on the UK Covid-19 Inquiry website.
Conflicts of Interest
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 conflicts of interest 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.
The team
The Legal Operations Team sits within the Policy, Research, Analysis and Legal Operations Directorate (PRAL), and supports the Solicitor and Counsel to the Inquiry, and their teams, to deliver their work and fulfil the Inquiry’s terms of reference.
About the Role
Working to the HEO Legal Operations Leads, the Legal Operations Support Officer is a varied role and will provide administrative support across the team. This could include; witness and hearings support, invoice processing, inbox management, assisting with recruitment competitions and onboarding.
The jobholder's responsibilities include (but are not limited to) -- Provision of administrative support to the entire Legal Operations team and wider Inquiry Legal Team, this could include diary management, inbox management and minute taking.
- Support the on-boarding of new starters within the Legal team including staff, solicitors, paralegals and counsel.
- Invoice processing across the legal budget line including s.40 and Counsel.
- Supporting the Inquiry’s witness process including drafting letters and supporting witnesses on the day.
- Work flexibly across the Legal Operations team to assist and support those planning hearings.
- The post-holder may be required to perform other ad hoc duties consistent with the role and grading, where necessary.