Research Librarian

Job summary

Are you a curious and service-focused professional looking to make a real impact at the heart of UK Parliament? The House of Commons is seeking a Research Librarian to join the Research and Information team, where you’ll play a vital role in supporting MPs and their staff by ensuring they have access to accurate, reliable and timely information.

Job description

Working within the Research Information Service (RIS), you will partner closely with research teams across the House of Commons Library and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST), helping them to navigate a wide range of information resources and tools. You’ll develop expert knowledge in specialist information sources, provide tailored training and 1:1 support, and contribute to delivering high-quality enquiry and research services. Your work will directly support the production of briefings, publications and analysis that inform parliamentary debate and decision-making.

This is a varied and outward-facing role where you’ll build strong relationships with stakeholders, advocate for user needs, and stay at the forefront of developments in the information and library sector. You’ll also contribute to outreach, training and engagement activities, helping to promote the work of the Library and ensure that information services continue to evolve to meet the needs of a modern, dynamic Parliament.

This role is offered on a hybrid working basis, with an expectation of you spending 40% of your time in the office.

Find out more about working at the House of Commons.

Person specification

• You meet the key information needs of your customers by showing an aptitude for enquiry work using a range of information resources and tools, including the ability to find, evaluate and explain information verbally and in writing.
• You work with stakeholders at all levels to provide an effective liaison service, understanding the needs of your users and manage their expectations, whilst upholding the values of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• You deliver services through your excellent organisational and planning skills with the ability to translate agreed aims into practical objectives. You can devise innovative ways of delivering better services and see ideas through to delivery using your own initiative to implement change within a team or service.
• You liaise with others using your excellent communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrating a proven ability to communicate complex issues to non-specialists and different audiences using a variety of methods. You have the ability to provide training and support to colleagues, with a consideration for the needs of a diverse range of users.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,834, House of Commons contributes £10,960 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Generous annual leave starting at 30 days and increasing to 35 after one full working year.

• Enrolment in the excellent Civil Service pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 27%

• Flexible working options that help you find a balance including enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption leave, caring leave and alternative working patterns.

Things you need to know

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

• CV & Criteria Responses - If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an anonymised CV and provide statements outlining how you meet Criteria 1-4 in the job description.

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description. More information on the application process, can be found in the Application Support Pack. If you are shortlisted for interview, the interview questions will be shared with you in advance. As part of the interview stage we will ask you to complete a short task followed by a brief presentation on your findings and approach. This will be in relation to Criteria 1 (Knowledge and Experience).

If you need guidance on creating a CV, please visit our websitefor helpful resources.

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Information Sessions

As part of the process, we will be running virtual information sessions on MS Teams for you to find out more about this role.

These sessions will be on:

• Friday 12 June, 1-2pm
• Tuesday 16 June, 1-2pm

To register to attend, please book your slot via Eventbrite here. If you are an internal staff member, please email Georgia Pearse (Recruitment Advisor) to receive the Teams invite.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Recruitment Team
• Email : recruitment@parliament.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@parliament.uk