Job Description Details of a current vacancy in the . To apply for this post, please ensure you complete all sections of our online application form found at http://www.parliament.uk/about/working/jobs/

Job Description Job title Reference number National Parliament Representative 1064

Office Grade Committee Office HL8

Starting Salary £52,324

Term This appointment will be for two years in the first instance, with the possibility of extension for a third year.

We will consider secondments to a successful applicant coming from the Civil Service, House of Commons, or the Parliamentary Digital Service. This post is offered as a level transfer or Temporary Promotion (TP) for internal candidates who are successful at interview.

Scope of the job Background There is a vacancy for a National Parliament Representative, with effect from 18 October 2021, or a date to be agreed.

The Committee Office is one of the largest House of Lords offices, supporting around 20 select committees at a time, spanning a wide range of subjects. Its work ranges from year-long inquiries on cross-cutting subjects to technical, but no less important, shorter inquiries on legislation, including on draft bills. Some of the work is carried out jointly with the House of Commons.

The Committee Office has a strong tradition of engagement in international affairs, with four committees (the European Affairs Committee and its Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Sub-Committee, the International Relations and Defence Committee, and the International Agreements Committee) having an explicitly international remit.

The Committee Office also has a history of active engagement in interparliamentary dialogue. Until March 2021 this engagement was led by the Committee and its sub-committees, which were tasked with representing the House in interparliamentary relations within the EU. The

National Parliament Representative played a key part in supporting this work, as one of a network of NPRs from national parliaments of EU member states based in the in Brussels. The NPR also played a key part in gathering intelligence, to inform document-based scrutiny of EU legislation by the EU committees, and in organising visits to Brussels and the EU by committees and delegations of Members.

More recently, the UK’s withdrawal from the EU has changed the emphasis of the role. The NPR’s focus remains on the EU, as part of the team supporting the European Affairs Committee and its Protocol Sub-Committee, which were appointed in April. But the work has become more diplomatic in nature, arranging meetings for the Chair of the EAC with EU figures and Member State ambassadors, and assisting in planning for the establishment of a Parliamentary Partnership Assembly – the forum for UK-EU interparliamentary dialogue that was envisaged in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

It is hoped that the new NPR will travel regularly to Brussels, and the European Parliament has offered to continue providing office accommodation. But it is not currently envisaged that they will be based full-time in Brussels: instead the job will entail both Westminster and Brussels-based working, with regular (possibly weekly) commutes between the two locations.

The European Union Committee was also instrumental in establishing the Interparliamentary Forum on in 2018. This Forum enabled committees from Westminster and the devolved legislatures to come together informally to discuss issues of common interest relating to Brexit. The Lord Speaker has identified reviving a forum for dialogue between legislatures within the UK as a priority, and in due course the post-holder may take on an additional role in developing and coordinating select committee input into such dialogue.

Main objectives To represent the House of Lords and its select committees in the EU, in particular by:

• Supporting the European Affairs Committee (EAC) and its sub-committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, and promoting their influence; • Building and maintaining a network of contacts with staff from EU27 national parliaments, the European institutions and the UK Government Mission to the EU (UKMis); • Coordinating Committee Office input into the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, to be established under Article 11 of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement; • Forming, along with the Commons NPR, the UK National Parliament Office.

At the time of writing the UK-EU relationship is still evolving. A key objective for the post-holder will be to offer informed analysis of developments in Brussels, to inform decision-making on these issues.

Key internal and external relationships Internal • Members and staff of House of Lords committees, particularly the EAC; • Staff of the House of Lords Overseas Office and the Lord Speaker’s Office. External • Members and staff of the European Parliament and other EU institutions; • Members and staff of committees in the devolved legislatures, particularly those with an interest in UK-EU relations; • EU27 National Parliament Representatives; • Staff of the House of Commons, including the Head and staff of the International Relations Office and the National Parliament Representative; • UKMis officials; • The secretariat of the Conference of European Affairs Committees of the EU (COSAC).

Main responsibilities Line management and budgetary responsibilities There is no formal budget-holding, but the National Parliament Representative has a high level of responsibility for self-management, efficient use of resources, and accountability. The postholder will be expected to ensure that the administration and financial management of the post are in line with best practice. Other responsibilities of the post The postholder supports the work of the House of Lords and the EAC (the term includes the Select Committee and its Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland).

The key functions will be: • Cooperating at official level with staff from the House of Commons, EU national parliaments, the EU institutions, and devolved administrations, developing and using a network of influential contacts. • Explaining and promoting the work of the House, particularly regarding UK-EU relations. • Providing timely analysis of developments in Brussels and elsewhere, insofar as they relate to future UK-EU relations. • Providing pertinent and timely information to the EAC and its staff, including through building contacts and monitoring the work of the EU institutions. • Helping the EAC and its staff to understand and influence legislative proposals that could have an impact upon the UK, including in respect of Northern Ireland. • Supporting the Chair of the EAC in developing contacts, and in organising diplomatic meetings with stakeholders in the EU and more widely; taking notes of these meetings to report back to the committee.

• Facilitating committee visits to Brussels and the EU more widely, and supporting delegations to conferences and interparliamentary meetings, including COSAC. • Depending on its future development, co-ordinating committee engagement with the successor to the Interparliamentary Forum on Brexit. • Providing coaching and training to other staff, specifically regarding UK- EU relations and the EU institutions. • Continually seeking to enhance the value of the post to the House, including by taking on such other duties as may be required.

Person specification The qualifications required for the post are: 2:1 degree or equivalent

Our values The House of Lords Administration has four values: respect, inclusivity, professionalism and responsibility. Our behaviours sit alongside our values, translating them into day-to-day actions and demonstrating how we bring our values to life. They outline what we can expect from each other at work and ensure we all play our part in building an inclusive and respectful workplace culture.

The values and behaviours are applicable to everyone who works for the House of Lords. As colleagues and representatives of the Administration, everything we do and say counts.

The post holder will be expected to operate in line with the House of Lords workplace values which are:

Respect - We treat people with respect and expect to be treated with respect. Inclusivity - We embrace and value difference and diversity –whether from a person’s race, gender, other characteristics, background or experience. Professionalism - We aim for and value a high level of skills and expertise. We act with integrity and openness, putting public service first. Responsibility - We take ownership of our work and actions. We hold each other to account, take appropriate risks and continue learning

The knowledge, skills and experience required for the post are outlined below. Each element will be assessed in the examples you provide in your application form. Should you be shortlisted these areas will be assessed in more depth at interview and, if appropriate, in a test.

Competencies: Personal effectiveness • Strong networking skills, including the ability to make, maintain and use contacts. • The ability to work on your own initiative and with very little supervision.

• Tact, discretion and the ability to work quickly under pressure, maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Leadership and team-working • A track record of planning your own and others’ work effectively, and experience of supporting and developing colleagues. • The ability to work as part of a team and to support others to produce better results.

Expertise/professional competence • A good understanding of key features of the UK-EU relationship. • An understanding of select committee procedures and practices in the House of Lords.

Communication • Strong communication skills, including the ability to represent the House to a wide range of people and organisations and the ability to brief members orally. • Proven drafting ability, dealing with complex matters and to tight deadlines.

Judgement, creativity and analysis • Sound judgement and sensitivity to political issues. • Proven skills in policy analysis and in problem solving.

Terms and conditions

Salary and allowances The post is paid in accordance with House of Lords grade HL8 (£52,324 starting salary per annum). Pay increases usually depend on performance as assessed in annual performance reviews, up to the current band maximum of £63,884. Salary is paid monthly by bank transfer.

Probation There is a probationary period of six months.

Term and hours The post is fixed term for two years with the possibility of extension and/or permanency and is for 41 hours per week (including break-time).

Consideration will be given to candidates expressing a wish to perform the role on a flexible working arrangement such as those set out below: • part-time working (the job requires working a minimum of four days a week) • a job share.

If you are selected for interview please inform the panel of the days/hours you are available to work.

Benefits As an employee of the House, you will be entitled to our benefits such as a season ticket loan, a Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service, including access to a dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and many more. Full details can be found on our Employee Benefits page.

Allowances The postholder will be based initially in Westminster, but once travel restrictions have been lifted they will be required to travel regularly to Brussels, Strasbourg or other locations (e.g. to attend COSAC conferences). Precise arrangements will be agreed with the postholder, but the duties of the post are likely to require Sunday travel, for which time off in lieu will be allowed.

The postholder will initially commute to Brussels or elsewhere as required, typically on a weekly basis. Hotel accommodation and travel will be paid for by the Committee Office, and overseas allowances, based on Civil Service rates, will be payable. Appropriate arrangements for the refund of expenses incurred on official business will be agreed with the successful candidate.

All arrangements relating to the post will be kept under review.

Pension The House of Lords participates in the Civil Service Pension Schemes. As an employee of the House, you will be entitled to join one of these highly competitive pension scheme arrangements.

Annual leave Annual leave entitlement is 30 days (increasing to 35 days after one year's service) plus public and bank holidays. In most offices annual leave may be taken only during periods when the House is in recess and must always be agreed in advance with the line manager and Head of Office.

Inclusion and Diversity The House of Lords Administration is committed to increasing diversity and maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of their age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender/sex, gender reassignment/trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and socio-economic status The Administration will also consider flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments.

We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. For this role we particularly welcome applications from groups which are currently underrepresented within the team, including applications from Black, Asian and ethnic minority candidates and candidates with disabilities.

Pre-appointment checks For external candidates, appointment depends on satisfactory references, health and security checks and where necessary proof of qualifications. Successful candidates’ publicly open social media profiles will also be checked under this stage of the process and information obtained may be used to review suitability for the job role.

Baseline Security Standard The House of Lords (along with all government departments) has to comply with a Baseline Security Standard. The standard requires that we ascertain the identity of the applicant, their right to work in the UK, their employment or academic history over the last three years, and their address history over the last three years.

Successful candidates will be required to complete pre-employment checks. This includes security vetting to Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) level unless otherwise specified. All successful candidates are required to pass these checks before an offer can be confirmed.

Applicants should be aware that if they have resided outside of the UK for a total of more than two of the last five years they are not eligible for vetting. Please see the National Security Vetting booklet for further information. In addition, applicants are required to give a reasonable account of any significant recent periods of time (more than six months) spent abroad. Applicants who have been unemployed or self-employed for over six months in the last three years (whose last three years’ employment/academic history are not covered by references) will be asked to provide further documentation to prove their history.

Returning your completed application Please complete your online application by 10.00am on Monday 20 September 2021.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process, please contact [email protected] or call 020 7219 3185.

Telephone enquiries

If you wish to find out more information about this post please contact Duncan Sagar, Principal Clerk of Select Committees, at [email protected] or on 020 7219 5458.

No recruitment agencies please.