Working for OPM

Find out about the recruitment process

Current vacancies

Research Assistants

We are looking for research assistants to join our Analytical Studies Unit. You will need to have excellent writing, analytical and communication skills and an ability to manage your own workload and work in a project-based organisation. As a research assistant you will have:

a strong desire to move into a full research role and a demonstrable interest in public service issues
a good understanding of qualitative and/or quantitative research, with some experience.

Closing date for applications: 5 August.

Download an information pack and application form.

Assistant - Leaders' Support Group

The Leaders and Corporate Support Unit provides support to directors and principals, and undertakes some corporate administration. We are looking to recruit an individual with significant experience of providing support to senior management. This is a challenging, front-line, position that requires high levels of organisation, communication and confidentiality and a positive approach to good client relations.

The role demands an understanding of both the internal and the external pressures on OPM. You will need to be pro-active and establish constructive relationships with OPM colleagues and be responsive and flexible when dealing with internal and external contacts.

Responsibilities will also include managing diaries, progress chasing actions, arranging travel, booking meetings rooms, document preparation, providing support for projects as required, and other administrative duties such as filing and photocopying.

The corporate support element of this role involves administration of regular and ad hoc corporate groups, occasional cover of reception and for colleagues in their absence.

Closing date for applications: 8 August 2008

Download an information pack and application form.

We endeavour to keep our site up to date but it is possible that, on occasions, jobs whose closing dates have passed may not yet have been removed.

The OPM charter

All members of OPM are expected to uphold our charter, and be active in ensuring its principles and values underpin all our behaviour, work and the continued success of the organisation. Our charter reads:

OPM is committed to improving the quality of life for all communities by working with clients and the public to help them achieve the social results they desire. As a member of OPM:

I am committed to delivering high quality work and to helping to achieve social results.
I am committed to my own development to sustain and increase my contribution to OPM, and expect others to provide appropriate support and opportunities.
I will behave with integrity, honesty and courtesy at all times, and expect the same from others.
I will contribute to providing a productive and supportive working environment, and will ask for and offer support when it is needed, and expect others to do the same.
I will be fair and open in my expectations of others, and expect the same from them.

Our recruitment process

We ask everyone who is interested in finding out about or applying for a job to complete our equalities monitoring form. Once you have done this, job descriptions and our application form will be available for downloading, usually in Word format. You can also ask for information packs and the application to be posted to you: please contact our HR manager, Sharn Bhondi, whose details are found below.

To apply for an OPM job you must use our application form. When shortlisting we will only take into account what you put on your application form.

Person specification

Read the Person Specification carefully – it describes the experience and aptitude we are looking for.

Making an application

Read the Job Specification carefully – it describes the job, and the essential skills and experience we are looking for.

Ensure the information is clear and well organised.
Gear your application to the specific job.
Demonstrate how your skills/experience match the job requirements.
Please return completed job application forms to recruit@opm.co.uk.
Get it to us by the closing date. If you want confirmation that we have received it, please specify a 'read receipt' (for emails) or phone Sharn Bhondi. At any stage, you are welcome to phone and ask about the progress of your application .
CVs are not usually accepted unless we specifically state otherwise.
If you would like to show us additional information, such as examples of your work, you can mention this on the application form but do not send it unless we specifically ask you to do so. We will be pleased to consider this sort of information at the interview stage.

Assessment and interview

If you are invited for an interview, please confirm that you can attend or let us know if the interview time is problematic.
As part of our shortlisting process, we may invite you for an initial interview where you will meet some OPM staff and have the chance to find out more about us and the job.
If you are then invited for a formal interview, this will be with a panel of interviewers. The interview panel will ask questions which will assess your knowledge and skills and allow you to expand on your application. You will also be able to ask questions.
The selection process may also include relevant tests and written exercises.

Disabled applicants

If you are a disabled applicant, and you have specific requirements for the interview or the workplace, please tell us in your application. You can also discuss any requirements by phoning Sharn Bhondi whose contact details are below.

Conditions relating to offers of employment

All offers are subject to:

Satisfactory medical clearance
Satisfactory references
Eligibility to work in the UK
Evidence of qualifications.

Fair recruitment

Our recruitment process aims to ensure everyone is treated in a non-discriminatory way. If you believe you have not been treated fairly, contact the director in charge of human resources, Helen Brown, in confidence.
We ask everyone who downloads job information packs to complete our equalities monitoring form. This helps us find out about the range of people who are interested in our jobs. If you go on to submit an application, we'll ask you to complete the monitoring form again. This helps us distinguish the range of people who go on to apply. Neither form asks for your personal details. Neither form will have any bearing on whether you are invited for an interview or offered a job.
If you are not appointed and want to discuss why, contact Sharn Bhondi who will arrange for you to speak to someone who was on your interview panel. If you are dissatisfied after speaking to this person, you may wish to put questions or complaints in writing. Address these to the director in charge of human resources, Helen Brown.

If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact Sharn Bhondi, t: 020 7239 7869, email Sharn