2021/22 Internship Programme (RES2103) - The Institute for ...
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2021/22 Internship
Programme (RES2103)
1
Welcome from the Director
I am very pleased that you are interested in applying for an internship
position at the Institute for Government.
The Institute was established over a decade ago with the aim of
making government more effective and improving the way it makes
decisions. Our aim is to be a catalyst for improvements in government
– we don’t just conduct research but work closely with people in
Westminster, Whitehall and the devolved governments to fulfil our
mission.
We offer you the opportunity to work in a stimulating environment and
to be a core part of an organisation which is making an impact on UK
government and politics. We offer excellent working conditions and are based close to Whitehall and
Westminster. Over the course of the coronavirus pandemic, we have been largely working remotely,
and we plan to have hybrid working arrangements in place from the autumn. We continue to monitor
the situation and will react to changes as they occur, with staff safety and well-being our top priority.
Interns are an important part of the Institute. They are integral members of our project teams. Our
current interns are working on the consequences of Brexit and the UK’s future relationship with the
EU, policy making and the civil service, performance of public services, devolution across the UK, public
finances, and ministerial effectiveness.
We are keen to provide opportunities for our interns to learn and develop at the Institute. As well as
working with colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds and experience, interns have opportunities
to enhance their skills through informal training and skill sharing sessions.
Interns are also encouraged to attend our rich and varied programme of events. In recent months we
have hosted events with speakers such as former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Secretary of State for
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Kwasi Kwarteng, former Leader of the House of Commons
Andrea Leadsom, and Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Lisa Nandy.
We also host private seminars for civil servants and others to discuss pressing policy questions in a safe
space.
We recognise the benefit that having staff with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences can
bring to our work. We therefore welcome applications from anyone with the passion and skills to make
a contribution to our work of improving government.
You can read more about what we do on our website as well as in this information pack. If that whets
your appetite, I very much hope you will consider joining us at the IfG.
Bronwen Maddox
Director, Institute for Government
2Internships at the Institute for Government
The Institute for Government is currently inviting applications for our one-year 2021/22 internship
programme (Job Reference: RES2103), starting in September 2021.
What we are looking for
We are looking to take on a number of interns in September 2021 to work across the research and
learning team. The precise nature of each internship will vary according to the needs of projects, but
past interns have found themselves carrying out literature reviews, conducting interviews with MPs
and civil servants, organising events, undertaking data analysis, presenting research findings to
colleagues, writing explainers and contributing to published reports. Interns are also required to help
with some administrative and other tasks.
Applicants should be confident and reliable graduates with:
• an excellent academic record, including a degree/predicted grade of 2:1 or above, or
international equivalent
• knowledge of or strong interest in government in the UK and elsewhere
• strong organisational, analytical and communication (both written/verbal) skills
• commitment to the values and mission of the Institute for Government.
This role could suit people with a wide range of different experiences, not only people who have
studied politics or government at university, or who already have experience working in policy
research. If you are interested in applying but are not sure you have all the skills, please do so and give
us the opportunity to consider you as a candidate.
Applicants should be available to work on a full-time basis. Although we will consider candidates who
are still studying at the time of application, to be eligible for the programme you must have completed
your university studies by the time the internship begins in September 2021.
Internships will be offered for twelve months, with a probationary period of three months.
Our offer to you
We offer you the opportunity to:
• become a full member of the research and learning team in a highly-respected institution at
the heart of Westminster with close connections to government and all political parties
• take a fresh, evidence-based look at a range of issues, to improve the Institute’s understanding
of problems facing government, and to help develop innovative solutions to these problems
• work with other Institute staff and external partners to deliver the Institute’s research and
learning programme
• work on projects combining traditional research with practitioner and expert workshops and
stimulating public and private events
• contribute to high-quality publications, presentations and events.
3About the Institute for Government
Who we are
The Institute for Government is the UK's leading independent think tank promoting more effective
government. We work with all the main political parties and with senior civil servants in Westminster,
Whitehall and across the UK, providing fresh thinking through research, events and leadership
development.
Our mission is
To help to improve the effectiveness of government in the UK.
Why is that important?
Good government is one of the most important factors driving the UK’s social and economic
performance and the health of democracy. But while Whitehall ranks among the world’s best
administrations, the sheer scale of the issues facing society today demands ever more capable
government, and tests public trust in institutions. The Institute’s role is to inform and support the
process of improvement, working at the highest levels of politics and the civil service to improve
capacity and provide evidence-based advice that draws on best practice from across the globe.
What we do
We work with senior civil servants and politicians of all parties and from across the UK. We stimulate
change by assessing current thinking and providing new ideas and models for shaping and developing
better government.
How we do that
• We undertake high-quality qualitative and quantitative research, focused on the mechanics and
processes of government, producing practical recommendations for change.
• We organise and host regular high-level events addressing different aspects of government in the
UK and internationally.
• We offer advice to departments and political parties, shaping policy on government performance
and effectiveness.
• We provide development opportunities for senior civil servants, politicians and their teams.
• Our headquarters are also a meeting place where senior officials from across Whitehall can discuss
how to make government work and access practical insights from public servants, academics and
influential thinkers from across the world. We continue to offer this space online during the
ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
4Our core values
We seek in all our activities to be:
• Innovative: we will push at the boundaries of current knowledge, exploring and experimenting
with diverse approaches to find the best solution.
• Rigorous: we will be thorough and precise in our methods and aspire to produce the highest-
quality data and services.
• Impartial: we will be neutral and politically non-aligned.
• Trusted: we will earn the confidence of all those we work with, being open and challenging as well
as a trusted guardian of knowledge.
Our work programme
Our programme is currently structured around the following themes:
• Brexit and beyond – the UK’s future relationship with the European Union and the
consequences of having left
• Civil service – civil service reform, accountability and better policy making
• Devolution – the future of the union, government in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and
within England
• Ministers, parliament and the constitution – the relationship between government and
parliament, workings of the constitution, role of ministers and ministerial effectiveness,
professional development of ministers and civil servants, Ministers Reflect
• Public finances and outsourcing – tax policy, competition and regulation, outsourcing
• Public services – the performance of public services
Publications:
Examples of recent Institute publications include:
• Managing the UK’s relationship with the EU
• Moving out: making a success of civil service relocation
• Co-ordination and divergence: devolution and coronavirus
• Special advisers and the Johnson government
• Support for business during the coronavirus crisis: an international comparison
• Performance Tracker 2020: how public services have coped with coronavirus
For the rest of our work, please visit our website.
5Comments from past interns
Lee Wratten (April 2019-August 2019), Graduate Management Trainee at Chiltern Railways
The internship programme at the Institute for Government is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your
understanding of the inner workings of government, learn new skills and work on a range of incredibly
interesting workstreams. During my time at the Institute I was involved in everything from big pieces
of research work such as Whitehall Monitor (the IfG’s flagship annual publication on the shape and size
of government) to comment pieces and explainers on party leadership elections and ministerial
reshuffles. Having joined with little to no data visualisation knowledge I was supported with training
and pieces of work to really develop my skillset. The IfG is a great place to work, with amazing
colleagues who will support and challenge you to achieve great work and really get the most out of
your time there. If you want to help make government more effective and be part of a great team,
there is nowhere better to be.
Ketaki Zodgekar (October 2019-September 2020), incoming postgraduate student at the Harvard
Kennedy School of Government
At the Institute for Government, I first worked on the data team, where I had the opportunity to write
a chapter of Whitehall Monitor, and contribute charts and analysis towards general election and
reshuffle live blogs. I then worked on the ministers team, where I co-authored a paper on the changing
role of special advisers, and published a variety of explainers on different aspects of UK government –
from political party leadership contests, to who steps in if the Prime Minister is incapacitated, written
during the Covid-19 crisis. The IfG gives interns real responsibility and encourages them to fully
participate: writing explainers and papers, putting together panels, presenting at meetings and
contributing new ideas. As an intern, you will learn a lot about UK government and politics, and develop
strong skills in research, writing and data analysis. You will have the support of kind and dedicated
colleagues, and your work will be reactive, responding to the latest developments in government and
parliament. Best of all is the opportunity to inform public debate and influence government policy,
contributing to more effective government that better serves people.
Oliver Davies (April 2020-September 2020), Generalist in the Civil Service Fast Stream
“I’ve been involved in a really wide range of projects as an intern: on government’s digital services and
how they’ve developed and stood the test of the coronavirus crisis, on the cost of coronavirus for the
UK’s public finances, and on how the civil service has changed over the last couple of years. I’ve also
been involved in updating and creating a range of IfG explainers, and in lots more reactive data-
visualisation after important political developments, such as the resignation of ministers or the
shuffling of permanent secretaries. The best part of working at the IfG has been getting to work with
such fantastic colleagues. Everyone is fiercely intelligent and committed but also extremely kind,
supportive and encouraging. This makes for a great work environment, where colleagues and
managers allow you to follow your own interests within work programmes, test yourself and develop
skills with the knowledge that they will always be there in support.”
6Information for all applicants
Employer: Institute for Government
Location: 2 Carlton Gardens, SW1Y 5AA
Who can apply: Applicants who meet the requirements for the position as set out in this
pack. Applicants must be a UK citizen or otherwise entitled to work in the UK
without a visa, or hold a relevant visa allowing full-time work in the UK
without employer sponsorship.
Timetable The expected timetable for the selection process is:
Closing date: Thursday 8th April 2021 at 12pm (midday).
Interviews will be held in the week commencing 26th April 2021.
Start dates: Interns will provisionally start on Monday 6th September 2021.
Terms: Successful candidates will typically join on a twelve-month fixed-term
contract, with a probation period of three months.
Salary: £24,000 per annum.
Benefits: The Institute has a pension scheme which you will be auto-enrolled into in
your 3rd month of employment. The contribution is a minimum of 5% from
the employee and a fixed 10% contribution from the employer.
Death in service life assurance of 4 x salary is given to all staff.
Working hours: You will normally work a 5-day week of 37.5 hours (9am – 5.30pm with a
one-hour lunch break) but you will, as the occasion requires, work outside
these hours. You will be office-based, with the option to work from home for
up to two days a week.
Annual leave: The annual full-time leave allowance will be 30 days in addition to 8 days of
bank and public holiday.
Equal opportunities: All job applicants and employees will receive equal treatment regardless of
sex, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation,
marital status, civil partnership, gender reassignment, age, disability, or
religious beliefs.
The Institute for Government collects equal opportunities monitoring
information with applications. This information is anonymised and is used
only for monitoring purposes and to help us better understand how we, as
an employer, can ensure equality of opportunity for all.
Privacy policy: When you apply for a job with the Institute, we collect and process
information (personal data) about you according to data protection law. For
full details of our privacy policy please visit our website.
7How to apply
The Institute uses an online application process for its internships. To apply, follow this link.
Our online application process has three parts:
• About you: Here we ask you for some personal details, and for information about your
educational background and relevant employment/other experience. This information is not
used as part of the assessment process.
• Multiple choice test: Here we ask you to complete a timed multiple-choice test, which is formed
of 20 questions, including the following elements:
o Data interpretation
o Word definition
o Verbal reasoning
o Arithmetic
o Numerical reasoning
You will have 40 minutes to complete the test. Once you start the test a timer will count down in
the top right corner of the screen. We recommend having an Excel spreadsheet or calculator,
paper and pen to hand before you begin. You cannot save during the test or return to this part of
the application once completed. There are some example questions available on our website, if
you would like to practice beforehand.
If you have a disability that might affect your ability to complete the timed multiple choice test,
then please contact us at recruitment@instituteforgovernment.org.uk before completing the
test.
• Written questions: Here we ask you to answer three questions, about:
o Your motivation for applying to the Institute
o A topic that you think the IfG should focus on in the next twelve months
o Your communication, analytical and organisational skills
This part of the application is not timed. Each question has a 250-word limit.
N.B. Each of your answers will be reviewed separately and anonymously by multiple people. This
means the person reviewing your answer to question 2 will not have access to your answer to
question 1, and so on. Therefore, do not refer in one answer to what you have written in another
section (things like “as explained above”). If it is relevant, explain again in full.
You do not need to complete the entire application in one sitting - you can save your in-progress
application and return to complete and/or submit it at any time before the closing date.
Closing date: Thursday 8th April 2021 at 12pm (midday)
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview in the week commencing 26th April 2021.
Interviews will be conducted via video call.
8Contacts
If you would like further information about our internship programme or the selection process, then
please contact us at: recruitment@instituteforgovernment.org.uk.
Further information about the Institute for Government: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
We send out regular emails, including a weekly newsletter, about our reports, publications and
events. To receive these emails, please visit www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/newsletter
9You can also read
