Afghanistan Inquiry Response Unit (AIRU), Deputy Head - Policy & Strategy

Ministry Of Defence; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 71,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental department in the United Kingdom is seeking a Deputy Head for the Afghanistan Inquiry Response Unit. The role involves leading a team and overseeing the MOD's strategy related to a sensitive inquiry. Candidates should possess strong communication and policy development skills, with an attractive salary of £70,540 plus pension contributions.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Learning and development tailored to your role

Civil Service pension with employer contribution

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication with urgent drafting abilities.
• Experience developing policy in complex and high-profile areas.
• Ability to manage competing activities independently at pace.
• Proven record of building partnerships across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Policy and Strategy team within AIRU.
• Oversee MOD’s strategy regarding the Inquiry.
• Ensure resources and staffing for team success.
• Manage relationships with various stakeholders.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Policy development experience

Ability to manage a portfolio of work

Building effective partnerships

Job description

Overview

This role is a senior leadership position within the MOD, leading the Policy and Strategy team within the Afghanistan Inquiry Response Unit (AIRU) to coordinate and deliver the MOD's response to the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan, chaired by Lord Justice Sir Charles Haddon-Cave. The Inquiry, announced in December 2022, investigates allegations of wrongdoing by the British Armed Forces in relation to deliberate detention operations in Afghanistan from mid-2010 to mid-2013, the adequacy of the MOD’s response, and the lessons to be learned. The AIRU is a dedicated unit established to coordinate the MOD’s response. This is a high-profile area with strong Ministerial, senior official, and military interest in the outcome, and timely, effective response is essential to maintain public trust and the MOD’s licence to operate.

The position is advertised at 37 hours per week and is expected to require working in the office at least four days per week, with flexible working patterns supported.

Responsibilities

• Leading a small, well-motivated team, empowering and delivering effect through them, and developing individuals to fulfil their potential.
• Overseeing the MOD’s strategy regarding the Inquiry, including prioritising activity, coordinating with stakeholders, and identifying and mitigating risks.
• Ensuring the Policy and Strategy Team has the appropriate resources, staffing, and capability to succeed.
• Overseeing advice to Ministers and senior officials on sensitive policy and litigation issues, ensuring engagement across Defence and understanding the potential impacts of the Inquiry.
• Coordinating MOD’s communications and Parliamentary engagement amid high levels of Service Personnel, Parliamentary, and media interest.
• Overseeing support provided to MOD witnesses called by the Inquiry.
• Managing relationships with a range of stakeholders within and outside MOD, including the Single Services, Cabinet Office, FCDO, and other Government Departments.
• Deputising for the Deputy Director when required and developing a broader understanding of wider departmental issues.
• Overseeing the administration and planning of the department’s Governance Board.

Appointment details

This is a Fixed-term Appointment as a Deputy Head in the MOD’s Afghanistan Inquiry Response Unit. The post begins on appointment and ends on 30/04/2027 or when the Inquiry concludes, whichever is earlier. Arrangements will be made in line with the Fixed-Term Appointment policy when the appointment ends.

For MOD candidates: the appointment is an FTA; successful MOD employees recruited into AIRU will be transferred to AIRU for the duration of the appointment, and the post may be extended or a suitable alternative position found at the end of the appointment in line with policy.

For OGD candidates: if transferring on loan, you may return to your home department at the end of the fixed-term appointment; if a loan transfer is not possible, you may transfer and become a permanent MOD employee on a fixed-term basis, with the same continuity of employment and redundancy protections as applicable.

Candidates will be assessed against behaviours during the selection process: Seeing the Big Picture, Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, and Leadership.

Qualifications and criteria

Essential criteria

• Strong communication skills—verbal and written—with the ability to draft at pace or engage with Ministers or Senior Officials on short notice.
• Experience of developing policy in complex, sensitive, and high-profile areas.
• Ability to operate independently at pace, managing a portfolio of work while prioritising across competing activities.
• Proven ability to build effective partnerships across teams and organisational boundaries to support delivery.

Desirable criteria

• Good working knowledge of Defence, particularly operational policy experience.
• Experience of legal policy considerations.

Salary and benefits

Salary: £70,540 plus employer contributions to the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme (£20,435). Benefits include learning and development tailored to your role, flexible working options, an inclusive environment, and a Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

Other information

Evidence of the two years’ service requirements for redundancy benefits applies; some travel expenses related to interviews are not reimbursed, and there is no relocation allowance. This role does not provide visa sponsorship under the UK immigration rules for skilled workers. External recruits to MOD may be subject to a six-month probation period. A number of additional security and HR checks apply, including a criminal record check and develop vetting, baseline personnel security standard, and vetting charter where applicable.

The Department is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity, with a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). If you require adjustments for the recruitment process, contact the Resourcing Team.

The MOD requires declarations of outside interests before a formal offer. The Department adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours; pre-employment checks will be carried out.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and meet security requirements including developed vetting as applicable.