The Ministry of Justice has begun recruitment for the first independent public advocate, a new role which will support victims of major incidents.
The successful candidate will help victims to understand the actions of public authorities in relation to major incidents.
A salary of £461 per day is on offer for the role, with the advocate expected to work two days per week over a five-year term.
The independent public advocate will be established as a new statutory office to support victims of major incidents. It will ensure that victims’ views are taken into account during proceedings, speak to public authorities on their behalf, point them to support and advice services and help them access information they are entitled to as part of any investigation, inquest or inquiry.
The permanent independent public advocate will be supported by a register of additional “on-call” advocates who may be called upon to assist them on a particular major incident or, when necessary, lead on a particular major incident. The office will also have secretarial staff.
The role was created in Part 2 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, which was passed in May. It was designed to ensure that survivors of major incidents like the Hillsborough disaster, the Manchester Arena bombing and the Grenfell Tower fire are able to quickly receive the help and advice they need, when they need it.
The advocate will be expected to establish and maintain relationships with public authorities including central government departments, local authorities, the Crown Prosecution Service, police and coroners, according to the job advert.
It adds that the successful candidate will need skills including an "ability to build empathic and sensitive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including vulnerable individuals such as those in the aftermath of major incident" and "sound judgement and high level of integrity (including when dealing with confidential or sensitive issues)".
Applicants must be able to demonstrate experience of senior leadership, including governance and/or strategic leadership in a "significant, complex, or changing organisation", as well as evidence of collective decision-making and resolving conflict.
The government also gave more detail yesterday on plans for a new duty of candour for civil servants. In his speech at Labour Party conference, prime minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the planned new duty of candour for officials will include criminal sanctions.
The advocate is expected to be in post by next summer, the MoJ said. Recruitment for the role opened yesterday and will close at 10am on 23 October.