Defence Inquests Unit Secretariat - Higher Executive Officer

MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB

Job Summary The Defence Inquests Unit (DIU), established in 2008, is the MOD’s focal point for inquests into the deaths of Serving Personnel, service-related deaths and other MOD related deaths. Its primary function is to ensure Coroners are provided with the evidence and documentation needed to reach informed conclusions and address the concerns of bereaved families.

Working within a small, high-performing team, this role supports effective case management, keeps Ministers informed, and helps the Department respond to associated media interest. DIU operates in a high-profile environment, offering development in Secretariat delivery, stakeholder engagement, and ministerial-facing work.

Organisation: The Directorate of Judicial Engagement Policy (DJEP) provides a coordinated approach to Judicial Reviews, Claims, Inquiries and Inquests, and serves as the MOD’s centre of expertise on court disclosure, training, and judicial engagement policy.

Before You Apply, Please Note:

• This post is advertised at 37 hours per week.
• The post-holder will be required to work daily with highly sensitive and, at times, distressing material, including detailed accounts of fatalities, medical records, witness evidence and personal information relating to Service personnel and their families. This requires resilience, discretion, professionalism, and strict adherence to MOD’s security, confidentiality and data protection requirements.
• The post-holder may be expected to attend the Caring for Carers Course every 18 months to 2 years due to the nature of the material handled on a regular basis.
• This role requires Security Check (SC) clearance. There may be a requirement to obtain Developed Vetting (DV) clearance once in post, subject to business need. The post-holder must be willing to undergo the appropriate level of national security vetting. Further information on national security vetting requirements can be found on GOV.UK.

Job Description

• Act as a central point of coordination and liaison between Coroners, Single Service Secretariats, and wider stakeholders to ensure timely provision of material requested by Coroners.
• To ensure timely visibility of case progress, risks and key milestones, maintain accurate and up-to-date case records, ensuring all relevant records are appropriately stored and managed within SharePoint and other designated systems,
• Provide advice and support on the redaction of sensitive material in line with MOD policy and statutory requirements, providing redaction services as necessary.
• Attend and contribute to internal and external casework meetings, including Single Service Secretariat meetings and Defence Safety Authority forums, providing updates and feedback to the wider team.
• Represent DIUs interests at internal working groups as required, supporting continuous improvement of systems, processes and ways of working.
• Contribute to the preparation and drafting of official correspondence, including responses to Parliamentary Questions, Treat Official correspondence, Freedom of Information requests, and Regulation 28 (Prevention of Future Deaths) responses.
• Undertake financial and administrative duties associated with the role.
• Occasional attendance at Inquests and Pre-Inquest Review Hearings, as the MODs representative. This may require travel and overnight stays.
• Lead on DIU Reporting to key stakeholders.
• Undertake additional ad hoc duties as required to support the wider objectives of DIU and DJEP, including surge support to casework, process improvement activity, and corporate tasks.

Line Management:

• This post may require the line management of one EO.
• Act as a central point of coordination and liaison between Coroners, Single Service Secretariats, and wider stakeholders to ensure timely provision of material requested by Coroners.
• To ensure timely visibility of case progress, risks and key milestones, maintain accurate and up-to-date case records, ensuring all relevant records are appropriately stored and managed within SharePoint and other designated systems,
• Provide advice and support on the redaction of sensitive material in line with MOD policy and statutory requirements, providing redaction services as necessary.
• Attend and contribute to internal and external casework meetings, including Single Service Secretariat meetings and Defence Safety Authority forums, providing updates and feedback to the wider team.
• Represent DIUs interests at internal working groups as required, supporting continuous improvement of systems, processes and ways of working.
• Contribute to the preparation and drafting of official correspondence, including responses to Parliamentary Questions, Treat Official correspondence, Freedom of Information requests, and Regulation 28 (Prevention of Future Deaths) responses.
• Undertake financial and administrative duties associated with the role.
• Occasional attendance at Inquests and Pre-Inquest Review Hearings, as the MODs representative. This may require travel and overnight stays.
• Lead on DIU Reporting to key stakeholders.
• Undertake additional ad hoc duties as required to support the wider objectives of DIU and DJEP, including surge support to casework, process improvement activity, and corporate tasks.

Line Management:

• This post may require the line management of one EO.

Person specification

Essential Skills And Experience: Good IT skills, to include the full Microsoft Office 365 suite and SharePoint

• Strong organisational and record management skills
• Ability to prioritise and manage competing demands effectively
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain professionalism in a sensitive environment

Previous secretariat/admin experience would be desirable.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• 25 days paid annual leave rising to 30 days on completion of 5 years’ service
• In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The King’s birthday
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Special Paid Leave to volunteer up to 5 days a year
• Eligibility for employee discount services
• Free gym access
• Café and shop on site
• London locations may attract an allowance of £3,300 per annum
• Interest free Season Ticket loan and the Cycle to Work Scheme

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

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Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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