Working for: James Cartlidge MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence

Location: Westminster, London

Salary: In the region of £28,114–£30,000 (IPSA Research band 2), with scope for progression within the band. 

Contract: Permanent, full-time

James Cartlidge, Conservative MP for South Suffolk and Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, is looking for a full-time Parliamentary Researcher to join his Westminster office. You will work in a small, busy team supporting the MP across his Shadow Cabinet responsibilities, with defence at the heart of the brief.

This is a role for someone who can turn complex material into clear, usable writing at pace. You will be researching policy and legislation, drafting speeches, parliamentary questions and briefing packs, and keeping the MP ahead of developments in defence, foreign affairs and wider government policy. The pace is fast and the subject matter is high profile, so you will need to hold several deadlines at once without losing accuracy.

A strong interest in or knowledge of defence, security and international affairs will serve you well. That said, we are just as interested in people who can research and write to a high standard from other policy backgrounds, so if that describes you, please apply.

What the role involves

• Researching policy, legislation and parliamentary business in detail, and staying current on debates, lesgilation and upcoming business.
• Monitoring developments in defence, foreign affairs and wider government policy, and flagging issues relevant to the MP's Shadow Cabinet responsibilities.
• Drafting speeches, parliamentary questions, debate contributions, briefing notes, articles and correspondence.
• Producing briefing packs and background papers for meetings, media appearances and proceedings in the House.
• Liaising with government departments, think tanks, industry, charities and other parliamentary offices.
• Attending meetings and events, taking notes and following up on actions.
• Helping develop policy positions and responses to campaigns.
• Working closely with Westminster and constituency colleagues to keep everyone coordinated.

Who we're looking for

• Excellent written, analytical and verbal communication, with the ability to draft high-quality briefings and policy material.
• Exceptional research skills and the ability to get across complex information quickly and accurately.
• Strong organisation and the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
• Confident IT skills, including Microsoft Office and, ideally, parliamentary systems.
• The ability to work independently while contributing to a small, collaborative team.
• A commitment to public service and a good understanding of the UK political system.
• An interest in defence, security and international affairs is highly desirable; knowledge or direct experience would be an advantage.

Previous experience in Parliament or in a policy or research environment is welcome but not essential. We are keen to hear from strong researchers and writers who want to contribute to high-profile parliamentary and policy work. Applicants do not need to be members of the Conservative Party, though an appreciation of the Party's principles and values is desirable.

Key dates

• Closing date: 31st August at 5pm
• Interviews: week commencing 7th September
• Start date: as soon as possible following pre-employment checks

How to apply

Please submit a single document combining your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should set out your relevant experience, why you want the role and why you would be a good fit.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments to support you through the recruitment process.

Appointment is subject to Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance and right to work checks. CTC normally requires you to have been resident in the UK for at least three of the last five years. A start date cannot be agreed until security clearance and pre-employment checks are complete.

Enquiries can be sent to info@hivesupport.co.uk. More about the MP is available at www.jamescartlidge.com.

Hive Support regularly works with Members of Parliament across Westminster and the UK to provide experienced, short-term staffing support.

With increasing demand for interim cover - supported by IPSA’s staffing support fund and greater flexibility around secondments - we are expanding our pool of experienced parliamentary professionals who are available for short-term assignments.

These opportunities typically arise to cover:

• Sickness absence
• Annual leave
• Short-term increases in workload
• Interim support during recruitment processes

Assignments can vary in length, from a few weeks to several months, and may be offered on a full-time, part-time, or flexible basis. Some roles can be undertaken remotely, while others may require a Westminster or constituency presence.

Who we’re looking for

We are keen to hear from individuals who:

• Have prior experience working in a parliamentary office
• Can step into a role quickly and operate effectively with minimal onboarding
• Are confident managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Have strong drafting and communication skills

Experience may include:

• Casework
• IPSA and payroll processes
• Communications and press
• Research and policy
• Office management or Chief of Staff responsibilities
• Constituency support

Secondments and additional work

If you are currently employed by an MP, please note that your IPSA contract will require you to seek permission before taking on additional work. We encourage you to ensure you are clear on any contractual or procedural requirements in advance.

How it works

By registering your interest, you will join our talent pool for short-term opportunities. We will contact you directly when suitable roles arise.

Due to the nature of these vacancies, roles are often filled quickly. We therefore encourage candidates to respond promptly when contacted, as we may need to progress with other applicants if we do not hear back within a short timeframe.

Applying

To register, please submit:

• Your CV, clearly outlining your parliamentary experience

We recognise that many candidates bring valuable transferable skills that are highly relevant to parliamentary roles, and we would be pleased to consider such applications for other opportunities we advertise. However, due to the nature of these short-term assignments, this registration is only open to individuals who have worked for a Member of Parliament within the last three years.