COBR Unit Watchkeeping Team
| Posting date: | 19 July 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £38,250 to £42,250 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Salary comprises £38250 basic with shift and disturbance allowances at +30% |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 August 2024 |
| Location: | London |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 360588/1 |
Summary
This is a unique opportunity to play a crucial role at the centre of government. As one of a team delivering this function, you will play a part in developing the Watchkeeper role; the team is also responsible for enhancing our cross-National Security (NS) crisis processes, training and exercising capabilities.
So you will be committed to leading change, working collaboratively across NS helping to ensure that the role continues to evolve making the most of digital, ICT and other innovations.
Watchkeepers are in a good position to contribute to broader thinking on the role of crisis and risk policy work, so there is an opportunity to develop your strategic thinking and understanding of organisational development.
The COBR Unit Watchkeeping Team is the first point of contact for out of hours support for the activation of crisis response arrangements and other mechanisms in response to breaking news and urgent new developments.
Number 10 and senior officials across the Cabinet Office (CO) will rely on your insight to help keep them informed and updated in a timely way allowing them to make the right decisions at the right time. This work can be demanding, and will require you to cooperate closely with a wide range of stakeholders building trusting relationships.
In a crisis, the Watchkeeper will provide the initial liaison, information gathering and logistical response until COBR or policy teams can be mobilised. You and the team will have the capability and flexibility to adapt to the full spectrum of crises; assess the significance of events and whether or not to alert the lead policy units’ duty officers - subsequently assisting in triggering the appropriate response.
Outside of crises, you will produce a range of written reporting, sometimes in large volumes, requiring accurate, brief and concise drafting skills.
Overall, this job offers an excellent combination of initiative, service delivery and policy work covering the full range of the NSS’s operations. Working at the centre of the Cabinet Office and you will gain a unique insight into the Government’s crisis response framework, as well as the opportunity to acquire new skills and understanding.
The job involves shift working and qualifies for both Shift Disturbance Allowance and unsociable hours payments. All team members will rotate through day and night shifts, and weekdays/weekends, in order to provide full cover and allow training, development and broader engagement.