Location
Whitehall, London

Hours
37 hours per week

Salary
£37,720 per annum

About the Role
The Defence Inquests Unit (DIU), established in 2008, is the Ministry of Defence’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.

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.

The post-holder will 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 role requires Security Check (SC) clearance, with a possibility of 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.

Key responsibilities include acting as a central point of coordination and liaison between Coroners, Single Service Secretariats, and wider stakeholders to ensure timely provision of requested material; maintaining accurate and up-to-date case records within SharePoint and other systems; providing advice and support on redaction of sensitive material in line with MOD policy; attending and contributing to internal and external casework meetings; representing DIU interests at internal working groups; preparing official correspondence including Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information requests; undertaking financial and administrative duties; occasional attendance at Inquests and Pre-Inquest Review Hearings which may require travel and overnight stays; leading on DIU reporting to key stakeholders; and undertaking additional ad hoc duties to support DIU and DJEP objectives.

This post may require the line management of one Executive Officer.

Experience
Good IT skills, including proficiency with 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 or administrative experience is desirable.

About you
Resilient and discreet, able to handle highly sensitive and distressing material professionally.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders.
Committed to maintaining confidentiality and adhering to security protocols.
Professional and collaborative team player.

Qualifications
Security Check (SC) clearance is required, with potential requirement for Developed Vetting (DV) clearance.
Willingness to undergo national security vetting.
Open to UK nationals only.