Reviewer

Job summary

We are MHCLG

Here at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), we work on things that make a real difference to people’s lives. Whether it's through the homes we live in, the work of our local councils, or the communities we’re all part of, our work is at the top of the political agenda. We have ambitious and far-reaching outcomes to achieve this year and, if you’re thinking of joining us, there’s never been a more exciting time.

This role is an excellent opportunity to join the Knowledge and Information Management team within the MHCLG Digital Directorate. The team is responsible for ensuring compliance with legislation governing both physical and digital records, while also providing shared services to other government departments for the review of their physical records.

Please note that MHCLG do not offer visa sponsorship and applicants will need a valid visa for the duration of your employment.

Job description

As a Reviewer, you will be part of a small, specialist and supportive team dedicated to Knowledge and Information Management. You will support colleagues in managing the retention and lifecycle of all departmental information by reviewing physical and digital records. You will determine whether they should be transferred to The National Archives (TNA) or securely destroyed, ensuring the Department meets its legal obligations.

As a Reviewer, you’ll:

• Identify records of long term value and determine those suitable for permanent preservation and transfer to TNA
• Appraise departmental public records to identify material with additional historical significance for the organisation and society
• Create accurate documentation of appraisal decisions
• Conduct sensitivity reviews for classified records and liaise with stakeholders where required
• Apply for retention and closure instruments when records cannot be declassified
• Undertake regular visits to the Department’s offsite storage facility

Support wider team responsibilities, which may include:

• Managing up to two Administrative Officers whose primary duties involve registry and file preparation
• Manage the file preparation and transfer of records to TNA
• Identify and process physical and digital records scheduled for destruction
• Respond to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests by searching MHCLG’s physical records catalogue and providing relevant information
• Assist the FOI and Inquiries Teams by locating physical and legacy digital records and producing accurate search reports
• Contribute to ad hoc projects relevant to the role as required

Person specification

As a Reviewer, you’ll have:

• The ability to work flexibly and collaboratively as part of a team
• The confidence to work independently with minimal supervision
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Working knowledge of Microsoft 365, including Sharepoint and Teams
• Strong analytical and evaluation skills
• A proactive approach to learning and development, continually seeking opportunities to build knowledge, enhance skills and adapt to new challenges
• Good written and verbal communication skills and be able to share information clearly with colleagues
• Experience reviewing information and forming evidence-based decisions
• An interest or experience in the Knowledge and Information Management profession
• An interest in historical records
• Qualifications – willingness to obtain a professional qualification or accreditation within the Knowledge Management profession (full financial support and mentoring will be provided). Examples: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/centre-for-archive-studies/courses/d-cps_ri… or https://irms.org.uk/general/custom.asp?page=Accreditation

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,622, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes £8,291 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.At MHCLG we offer many benefits that range from tailored career pathways and flexible working to MyLifestyle Childcare Voucher and Cycle to Work Schemes. For more information, please click here.

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

The application process will be split into 2 stages, testing the following Success Profiles:

Behaviours , Technical

Please ensure your CV does not contain any personally identifiable information.

Note: We do not consider direct CV applications. All applications must be submitted via the provided application link.

Important: Your CV and Cover Letter must be merged into a single document before uploading.

Stage 1: Sift (CV & Cover Letter)

Technical & Behaviours ("Making Effective Decisions", "Working Together"): Your covering letter should be a 500 word personal statement referencing how you meet the criteria set out in the job description.

Stage 2: Interview

• Behaviours: "Making Effective Decisions", "Working Together"
• Technical: Technical questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description.

Sift and Interview Dates

Sifting is envisaged to take place the week commencing 12th April 2026.

Interviews are envisaged to take place the week commencing 27th April 2026 and are currently being held remotely via videocall. This could be subject to change.

How We Recruit

Find out everything you need to know before applying here..

• Applying
• Sifting
• Interview
• Interview Results & Feedback
• Reserve List
• Near Miss
• Civil Service Grades
• We are a DCS, RIS & GPTWV employer
• Reasonable Adjustments

How to Apply

What you need to know before applying.

• Security Clearance Requirements
• Civil Service Nationality Requirements
• Right to Work
• Artificial Intelligence
• Civil Service Code and Recruitment Principles
• CV Declaration
• Sponsorships
• Salary and Grade
• Existing Civil Servants
• Conflict of Interest
• Location and Flexible Working
• Fixed Term Contracts
• Internal Fraud Database - Internal Fraud Register
• Appeals and Complaints
• Conflict of Interest

Security Clearance Requirements

National Office: + SC

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 security 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

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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

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 : Digital Data Jobs
• Email : Digitaldatajobs@communities.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Digitaldatajobs@communities.gov.uk