Secretary to the Independent Statutory
Inquiry into the Omagh Bombing
Northern Ireland Office
SCS Pay Band 1
Closing Date: 23:55 on Monday 15 September 2025
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Contents
Person
Introduction
The Role
Benefits
Specification
Recruitment
Diversity &
FAQs
Contact Us
Process
Inclusion
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Welcome
Thank you for your
This is an exciting opportunity to work in a
The Inquiry Secretary is a statutory
high profile and meaningful role to learn
officeholder, and one of the Chair’s key
interest in becoming
whether anything could have been done to
advisers. The successful candidate should
Secretary to the Omagh
prevent the Real IRA bombing of Omagh
expect to lead the Inquiry team in whatever
on 15 August 1998. Thirty-one lives were
way necessary to fulfil its terms of
Bombing Inquiry
lost in the atrocity, and over 300 people
reference. The post holder will play a
were injured. To this day, it remains the
pivotal role in delivering a complex and
largest loss of life in a single incident in
sensitive piece of work, engaging with a
Northern Ireland. It took place mere months
range of stakeholders, including those
after the signing of the landmark Belfast
directly affected by the bombing.
Good Friday Agreement, just as Northern
Ireland had overwhelmingly expressed its
As the most senior civil servant in the
desire for a future of peace and stability.
Inquiry, the Secretary will act as the main
contact between the Inquiry and the
We are looking for a compassionate leader
sponsor department - ensuring the
with exceptional interpersonal skills who
Northern Ireland Office is provided with
can work calmly under pressure and deliver
financial and governance assurance while
results through a high performing team.
maintaining the independence of the
Inquiry.
The Inquiry was established in February
2024, under the Inquiries Act 2005. The Rt
Hon Lord Alan Turnbull is Chair of the
Inquiry.
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About the Northern Ireland Office
Who we are
This creates an interesting and challenging
represented in the post-Exit
work environment.
settlement.
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) supports
the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
What we do
The Omagh Bombing Inquiry
in promoting the best interests of Northern
Ireland within a stronger United Kingdom.
Our key priorities are set out in our
The independent statutory inquiry into the
Operational Delivery plan and includes:
Omagh Bombing Inquiry was established
We make sure that Northern Ireland
by the Secretary of State for Northern
•
interests are represented within the UK
Sustain and support effective
Ireland in February 2024.The Rt Hon Lord
Government and that UK government
devolved government in Northern
Alan Turnbull is the Inquiry’s Chair.
responsibilities are fully and effectively
Ireland.
represented in Northern Ireland.
• Ensure a more secure Northern
The NIO employs around 170 staff, with
Ireland.
offices in Belfast and London. As a small
• Deliver a growing and strengthening
Department, we adopt a flexible approach
economy to build prosperity.
to ensure that we have the right people,
with the right skills, in the right place to
• Ensure a stronger society by
support the delivery of our key objectives.
supporting initiatives designed to
build better community relations and
Due to our structure and size, we are able
a genuinely shared future.
to offer extensive exposure to Ministers and
the opportunity to work on a far wider
• Support the United Kingdom’s
portfolio of policy and responsibilities than
effective exit from the European
might be the case in a larger department.
Union and ensure that Northern
Ireland’s interests continue to be
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About the role
Job Title
Contract Type
will also be overseen by the Senior
Sponsor for the Inquiry in the Northern
Secretary to the Independent Statutory
This role is being offered on a two year-
Inquiry into the Omagh Bombing
loan, secondment, or on a 2-year fixed term
Ireland Office.
contract, extendable by mutual consent
Location
until the Inquiry’s conclusion.
The Secretary of an inquiry is one of the
Chair’s key advisers, alongside the Solicitor
London or Belfast
Background
and Counsel to the inquiry. The Secretary
Due to the nature of the role, the postholder
On 2 February 2023, the then Secretary of
role provides leadership to the inquiry team
can be based in either London or Belfast
State for Northern Ireland announced that
and works alongside the Chair in delivering
he would establish an independent
Please note the requirements for travel and
the Inquiry’s terms of reference (which
statutory inquiry into the Real IRA bombing
level of flexibility required to undertake this
have yet to be published). The post holder
of Omagh on 15 August 1998, in which 31
key role as set out in the FAQs section.
lives were lost.
will be responsible, alongside the Inquiry
Salary
Chair, for leading the inquiry team. The
The Inquiry was formally established on
team is made up from a mixture of civil
The salary for this role is set within the SCS
publication of its Terms of Reference in
servants, solicitors, paralegals and
PB1 range.
February 2024. Since then, it has
conducted a number of preliminary and
barristers. The Secretary is the key contact
External candidates should expect their
commemorative public hearings in Omagh
between the Inquiry and the sponsor team
salary upon appointment to be £81,000
and Belfast
at the Northern Ireland Office, ensuring that
Existing Civil Servants will be appointed in
the sponsor is provided with governance
The Role
line with the Civil Service pay rules in place
assurance while maintaining the
on the date of their appointment.
The post holder will report to the Chair of
independence of the Inquiry.
the Inquiry in terms of line management but
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This Inquiry Secretary role offers the
budgeting, and forecasting information
• Delivering effective arrangements for
opportunity to work on an extremely
to the Northern Ireland Office sponsor.
oral hearings.
interesting issue which is of wide public
•
•
interest and is likely to attract significant
Recruitment, retention and staff
The day-to-day running of the Inquiry
media and political attention.
resource planning, across the Inquiry
team.
Key Responsibilities
• Ensuring appropriate administrative
The key responsibilities of this post include:
secretariat support for the Inquiry Chair
in running the inquiry.
• Working alongside the Inquiry Chair and
wider Inquiry team members in
• Oversight of commercial management -
discharging the Inquiry’s terms of
the Inquiry has procurement authority
reference.
and a number of contracts to manage
and maintain.
• Ensuring effective Inquiry governance,
both setting high governance standards
• Information security and knowledge
within the Inquiry and maintaining good
management, including across a variety
relationships with the Northern Ireland
of IT platforms and across highly
Office sponsors.
classified material and acting as the
organisation’s Senior Information Risk
• Oversight of programme and project
Owner (SIRO).
management, ensuring that the Inquiry
has the right resources and tools in
• Business planning and financial
place.
management, ensuring robust value for
money across the Inquiry’s expenditure.
• Acting as delegated Accounting Officer
for the Inquiry; setting the Inquiry
• Strategic communications, maintaining
budget, delivering within the financial
the public image of the inquiry and its
envelope, and reporting planning,
relationships with the media.
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Person Specification
It is important through the recruitment
• Experience of working effectively and
• Previous experience of working with the
process that you give evidence and
sensitively with a wide range of people,
legal community
examples of proven experience of each of
showing empathy, compassion, and
•
the essential and desirable criteria.
excellent communication skills
Previous experience of working with
classified or sensitive material
Later on in the pack you will be told what is
• Experience of delivering substantial
being assessed at which stage of the
programmes of work, achieving high quality MoJ SCS Pay Band 1 Behaviours:
process.
results and value for money
You will also be assessed against the following
Essential Abilities:
Behaviours during the Recruitment Process:
•
•
Highly developed communication,
Communicating and Influencing
networking and negotiation skills, with the
• Leadership
personal presence and credibility to secure
confidence with the Inquiry’s Chair,
• Seeing the Big Picture
Counsel and Solicitor, as well as at the
• Working Together
most senior levels across the Civil Service
and beyond.
Read more in the Civil Service Success
Profiles Section.
• Ability to maintain a calm, collaborative
working style, and wellbeing of yourself and Strengths:
Essential Experience:
your team, in a potentially pressured
We are looking to understand what motivates
environment
•
and energises you. We want to see what your
Excellent leadership skills with experience
natural strengths are and what interests you.
of leading mutli-disciplinary teams and
Desirable:
delivering challenging objectives under
• Previous experience of working on a public
intense scrutiny.
inquiry
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The Recruitment Process
Recruitment Process
the application process, you will be asked to
contact you to arrange the next stage of the
complete:
selection process.
The panel members will be:
1. Responses to the eligibility questions to
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an
Will Gelling - DG Legacy
check you are eligible to apply for the role.
interview or assessment.
2. A response to whether you would like to
Clare Sloan - DD People and Transformation
request reasonable adjustments during
Panel Interview and Presentation
Alison Bennett - Secretary to the Patrick
the selection process. The Disability
You will be invited to attend an interview and
Finucane Inquiry
Support section explains how adjustments
can be made to the selection process to
presentation with the selection panel. You will
Support during the selection process
accommodate a disability.
be asked to prepare a verbal presentation
3. You will also need to complete a CV and
based on a topic that will be provided in
If you need any support or have any questions
Statement of Suitability. It is important that
advance.
during any stage of the selection process,
your CV and Statement of Suitability give
please contact the SCS Recruitment Team
What is being assessed?
evidence and examples of how you meet
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
the essential experience and ability skills Behaviours, as listed on page 7.
Stages of the selection process
set out on page 7.
Strengths
Application
Find out more information about our
You will be informed at interview which
application process here.
strengths you are being assessed against.
You will need to complete the online
application process accessed via the
After the Application Stage
After the Panel Interview
advertisement for this role.
You will be advised whether your application
Following the interview, the performance of all
This should be completed no later than 23:55
has been shortlisted for the next stage of the
candidates will be reviewed, and the
on Monday 15th September 2025. As part of selection process. If you are shortlisted, we will successful candidate identified. All candidates
will be notified of the outcome as soon as
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possible after the conclusion of all interviews. If
you are not the successful candidate but you
meet the standard required, you may be invited
to have your details retained on a merit list to
be considered for future SCS roles.
.
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Civil Service Behaviours
What are Behaviours?
Leadership
You motivate staff by ensuring they understand
how their work fits into the big picture.
The Civil Service recruits using Success
You visibly demonstrate the organisation’s
Profiles and Behaviours are an element of
values in all your activity, leading authentically. Working Together
Success Profiles used to see whether
You seek to engage staff in the aims of the
candidates are able demonstrate specific
organisation and communicate the
You work collaboratively to achieve outcomes
Behaviours associated with the role they are
organisation’s strategy in an inspiring way. You both within your area of responsibility and
applying for during the selection process.
create an inclusive and fair culture which
across the organisation. You create a
creates a sense of belonging by treating staff
supportive working environment where all
In this process the below Behaviours are most as individuals and actively valuing diversity
opinions are considered, and individuals are
relevant to this role and will be assessed
within the organisation. You empower teams
valued for their expertise and unique
during the interview stage of the process. The and individuals to excel by creating a shared
contribution. You proactively maintain
definitions of Behaviours are set out below:
vision and objectives and demonstrate trust in relationships with peers and external senior
stakeholders and utilise these to achieve
Communicating and Influencing
staff by giving autonomy.
positive outcomes.
You communicate clearly and with confidence, Seeing the Big Picture
Please click here or more information on
both verbally and in writing. You are open,
You understand the wider context of the
Behaviours and Success Profiles.
honest and transparent in your
organisation’s work, considering the political,
communications. You communicate effectively social, economic, and technological
with internal and external senior stakeholders
environment both currently and in the future.
to present information in a convincing and
You create and implement strategies to
influential manner. You tailor your
achieve the organisation’s aims and meet the
communication methods and content to the
needs of the public. You promote the
audience, simplifying strategic messages.
organisation externally, advocating positive
outcomes for the sector you operate within.
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Guidance for writing your Statement and CV
As part of the application process, you need to • You should ensure that you detail recent and For more information on how to write your
submit a Statement and CV. Both your
relevant examples of the essential
Statement and CV please visit the Civil Service
Statement and CV should demonstrate how
experience and abilities required for the role Careers Website.
you meet the essential experience and ability
and describe the outcome that came from
skills outlined in the Person Specification
this.
section.
Providing a name-blind CV and Success
Ensure you read through the role information
Profile Statements
thoroughly and identify the essential criteria for In both your CV and Success Profile
each area. You should ensure you provide
Statements please remove references to any
evidence for each of the essential experience
personal information that could identify you.
and abilities which are required for the role in
For example:
your Statement and CV. You may not be
• Name and title
progressed to the next stage of the
• Educational institution names
assessment process if you do not provide this
• Age and gender
evidence.
• Email address
When structuring your Statements try to:
• Postal address and telephone number
• Group evidence of the same experience and • Nationality and immigration status.
abilities together by using subheadings and
This will help us to recruit based on your
paragraphs. This will help to ensure you are knowledge and skills, and not on your
writing about the experience that is directly
background, gender or ethnicity. Recruiting this
relevant for the role you are applying for.
way is called name-blind recruitment.
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Expected Timeline
We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews. You are
therefore asked to note the below timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process, in order to meet the dates given.
Please note that these dates may be subject to change.
The anticipated timetable is as follows:
Advert Closing Date
23:55 on Monday 15 September 2025
Outcome of CV and Statement of Suitability
From week commencing 29 September 2025
From week commencing 6 October 2025
Panel Interview and Presentation
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Benefits of working for the Civil Service
themselves, to feel supported and have a
privilege entitlement to mark the King’s
strong sense of belonging in the workplace.
Birthday.
Our commitment to creating a diverse and
inclusive workforce is reflected in all of our
Flexible Working
people policies and strategies.
While not every type of flexible working will be
Benefits
suitable for every role and business area,
flexible working can take many forms and The
As a Civil Service employee, you’ll be entitled
Ministry of Justice is committed to delivering its
to a large range of benefits which include but
business effectively and sustainably by
are not limited to:
creating modern and inclusive workplaces that
enable smart, flexible and hybrid working.
Pension
For more information on our amazing benefits
The Civil Service Pension Scheme is one of
including our Civil Service Pension Scheme,
the best workplace pension schemes in the UK annual and special leave, and our Equality,
public sector. Visit
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing
Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing schemes
www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk for
please visit our Senior Civil Service website.
Our departmental values - purpose, humanity, more details.
openness and together - are at the heart of our Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday
commitment to create a culture where all our
Allowance
people are able to thrive and flourish in the
workplace.
25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a
sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service.
We want to attract and retain the best talent
This is in addition to 8 public holidays. This will
from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
be complemented by one further day paid
We want everyone to be the best of
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Disability Support
What reasonable adjustments can be made • An interview at a certain time of day.
recruitment team at
if I have a disability?
This is not an exhaustive list but rather some
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
examples of how we can support you during
We are committed to supporting all candidates the SCS Recruitment Process.
Do you offer a Disability Confident Scheme
to take part in the recruitment process. This
for Disabled Persons?
includes supporting individuals who have a
Whilst we aim to confirm all adjustments
disability by making reasonable adjustments to requested, there may be occasions where this As a Disability Confident employer, the MoJ
the recruitment process.
offer an interview to disabled candidates who
isn’t possible. If an adjustment cannot be
provided, the reasons for this will be explained meet the minimum selection criteria, except in
If you feel you require any kind of support
to you.
a limited number of campaigns. This could be
and/or would like to discuss this with someone,
in terms of the advertised essential skills
please indicate ‘yes’ to requesting reasonable
Help with your application
and/or application form sift criteria. Within the
adjustments in your application form and
application form, you will be asked if you would
ensure that you respond to the Reasonable
It is important you contact us as early as
like to be considered for an interview under this
Adjustments Scheme team by email.
possible by email if you would like to request
scheme, so please make us aware of this
reasonable adjustments so that the recruitment when prompted
How we can support you
process runs smoothly for you.
There are many types of reasonable
If you do decide during the process that you do
adjustments that can be made during
require adjustments and you have not
assessment processes.
completed all your assessments, please
contact the SCS recruitment team in advance
Examples of some types of adjustments
of your next assessment.
include:
If you have any questions in advance of
• Extra time to complete assessments.
making your application regarding reasonable
• Providing a break within an assessment.
adjustments, please contact the SCS
• Providing interview questions in a written
format at the interview as well as orally.
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FAQs
Can I apply if I am not currently a
Can I claim back any expenses incurred
fair and open competition as outlined in the
civil servant?
during the recruitment process?
Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment
Principles.
Yes.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to reimburse
you, except in exceptional circumstances.
Should you feel that the recruitment process
Is this role suitable for part-time working?
has breached the recruitment principles and
Am I eligible to apply for this role?
This role is available for full-time or flexible
you wish to make a complaint, you should
working arrangements (including job share
For information on whether you are eligible to
contact scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk in the
partnerships). If you wish to discuss your
apply, please visit Gov.UK.
first instance.
needs in more detail please get in touch with
If you are not satisfied with the response you
the named point of contact in this pack.
Is security clearance required?
receive from the Department you are able to
Where will the role be based?
Yes. If successful you must hold, or be willing
raise a formal complaint in the following order.
to obtain, security clearance to DV level. More
The post can be based in either Belfast or
information about the vetting process can be
1. To Shared Service-Connected Ltd (0845
London.
found here.
241 5358 (Monday to Friday 08.00 - 18.00)
or e-mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-
You may also work from your home address, in Will this role be overseen by the Civil
enquiries@gov.sscl.com)
line with guidance on hybrid working and with
Service Commission?
the agreement of the Director/SRO.
2. To Ministry of Justice Resourcing
No. However, the recruitment process will still
(resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk)
Some travel between sites may be required as be governed by the Civil Service Commission’s
necessary to support delivery of key
Recruitment Principles.
3. To the Civil Service Commission
objectives, but our experience of Covid-19 has
(https://civilservicecommission.independent
shown how much we are able to work virtually What do I do if I want to make a complaint?
.gov.uk/contact-us/)
between our locations
The law requires that selection for appointment What should I do if I think that I have a
Relocation costs will not be reimbursed
to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of
conflict of interest?
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If you believe that you may have a conflict of
interest you must declare it by contacting SCS
Recruitment on scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk
before submitting your application.
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Data Sharing
We will ensure that we will treat all improve these experiences, and ultimately
2. Processing is of a specific category of
organisation performance.
personal data and it is necessary for the
personal information in accordance
purposes of identifying or keeping under
with data protection legislation,
Sensitive personal data is personal data
review the existence or absence of equality
revealing racial or ethnic origin, political
including the General Data
of opportunity or treatment between groups
opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or
of people with a view to enabling such
Protection Regulation and Data
trade union membership, and the processing of
equality to be promoted or maintained.
genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of
Protection Act 2018.
uniquely identifying a natural person, data
3. Please note if you are successful in your
Data Sharing
concerning health or data concerning a natural
application your sensitive personal data will
person's sex life or sexual orientation.
be used as part of the on-boarding process
To process your application your personal data
to build your employee record.
The legal basis for processing your
will be shared with the Ministry of Justice SCS sensitive personal data is:
For further information please see the GDPR
Recruitment Team, campaign Panel Members
Privacy Notice.
and anyone else necessary as part of the
1. Processing is necessary for reasons of
recruitment process.
substantial public interest for the exercise
of a function of the Crown, a Minister of the
The legal basis for processing your
Crown, or a government department: it is
personal data is:
important to know if groups of staff with
Processing is necessary for the performance of
specific demographic characteristics have a
a task carried out in the public interest.
better or worse experience of working for
Personal data are processed in the public
the Civil Service, so that appropriate action
interest because understanding civil servant
can be taken to level this experience;
experiences and feelings about working in the
Civil Service can inform decision taken to
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Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain
and invest in talent where it is found. To learn
more, please see the Civil Service People Plan
and the Civil Service D&I Strategy
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Contact us
Should candidates like to discuss the role in more detail before
submitting an application, please contact SCS Recruitment on
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
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