Senior Policy Adviser

The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 established the office of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner (‘IPC’) and provides for the appointment of Judicial Commissioners (JCs) to approve and oversee the use of investigatory powers by public authorities. The current IPC is Sir Brian Leveson.

The IPC and JCs have the important function of balancing the public interest and the rights of the individual independently of Government, in particular reviewing whether public authorities’ interference with those rights is justifiable.

The IPC and JCs are supported by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO), an independent arm’s length body of the Home Office that provides oversight and authorisation of the use of investigatory powers by intelligence agencies, police forces and other public authorities. IPCO is based in London and is made up of around 50 civil servants headed by a chief executive, supported by a full secretariat including legal and communications functions, technical experts and inspectors.

The IPC is also responsible for the work of Data Communications Authorisations. Authorisations considers applications for the acquisition of communications data from law enforcement and public authorities. The team, which comprises around 100 members of staff, is located across two offices in Birmingham and Manchester.

We are in the process of merging the two organisations. This will best ensure the provision of consistent advice to the IPC and JCs, making the most effective use of the skills and experience we have across the team.

IPCO are committed to creating an increasingly diverse and inclusive workplace. Our people are our greatest asset and so we aim to foster a safe environment where diversity of thought is welcomed, work-life balance is valued and opportunity for growth is encouraged.

The IPC is supported by the Technology Advisory Panel (TAP) whose purpose is to advise him and Judicial Commissioners on the impact of changing technology and the development of techniques to use investigatory powers whilst minimising privacy interference. The TAP is made up of academics and professionals who are experts in their field and are appointed for three year -terms with an expectation to commit 26 days to IPCO work on an annual basis.

We are looking to recruit an experienced, enthusiastic and organised individual who will play a key role in the delivery of IPCO’s policy functions. As part of a small Policy Team with a growing breadth of responsibilities, you will have the opportunity to work with colleagues across IPCO and within Government on policy, technology and legislative matters that have an impact on the role of the IPC and the work of the office. The successful candidate will have specific responsibility for two core areas:

• The provision of support and advice to the Technology Advisory Panel (TAP): you will be responsible for advising the Chair of the TAP, the IPC and the Chief Executive to identify and deliver the strategic direction for the panel's work. Given the TAP’s time commitment and the increasingly significant role technology has for the organisations the IPC oversees, you will be the main liaison for members and be pivotal in linking the TAP and its work with the rest of IPCO and the IPC’s agenda. You will build relationships with colleagues to enable the TAP to be visible and engaged in relevant work at the right time. You will lead on the management of meetings and work programmes as well as the onboarding of new members.
  
• The delivery and project management of the IPC’s Annual Report to the Prime Minister: You will lead on the process from start to finish, including horizon scanning for relevant issues, using all relevant people and information from across IPCO to enable you to advise the IPC and the Chief Executive on the direction of the report. You will provide feedback and challenge where necessary to colleagues to improve drafting as well as liaise with HMG on security and fact-checking reviews and managing the process for publication.

This is a new and exciting role which brings together key responsibilities covering the breadth of IPCO’s remit. It will provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to develop a knowledge and understanding of the oversight of investigatory powers as well as the opportunity to hone your organisation, advisory, project management and drafting skills.

To carry out these responsibilities, you will need to be comfortable leading on and driving your own areas of work. You will need to be able to work collaboratively across all IPCO teams and build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels. You will need excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work comfortably with advising and influencing busy senior people.

The post-holder will report to the Head of Policy, who works in the London office. The post-holder can be based at the London, Manchester or Birmingham offices but will be required to attend meetings in London on a regular basis.

The key responsibilities will include:

• advising the TAP Chair and IPCO Chief Executive to help set the strategic direction of the TAP in support of the work of IPCO;
• acting as the liaison point for TAP engagement in IPCO business, ensuring that advice and support is provided where required;
• preparing the TAP Annual Report, overseeing the preparation of formal reports from or on behalf of the TAP, preparing papers and minutes for formal meetings;
• managing the process and timetable for the delivery of the IPC’s annual report, overseeing the timetable for delivery to ensure that both internal contributors and senior approvers as well as external stakeholders are sighted on timescales and required input;
• managing the process for feedback from the Whitehall write-round, providing challenge where necessary and presenting these to IPCO colleagues with options/suggestions to address;
• supporting the Head of Policy in the delivery of IPCO’s policy functions; and
• line management (to be agreed).

The role is only available on a full-time basis, due to business needs.