Assistant Private Secretary

Ministry of Justice; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department is seeking a permanent Assistant Private Secretary to support senior judiciary in various areas including judicial security and welfare. Responsibilities include providing secretariat support, preparing briefings, and developing recommendations. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills, an ability to manage workload, and experience working within judicial settings. This position offers hybrid working conditions and extensive benefits such as annual leave and training opportunities.

Benefits

Annual leave: 25 days, rising to 30 after five years

Choice of Civil Service pension schemes

Extensive training opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience providing secretariat support to senior boards or committees.
• Ability to condense large volumes of information into high-quality briefings.
• Experience working with the judiciary and/or magistracy.

Responsibilities

• Provide secretariat support to senior boards and committees.
• Prepare briefings for the SPJ and DSPJ for meetings.
• Develop evidence-based recommendations for decision-making.
• Monitor live issues and ensure timely resolution.

Skills

Strong written communication skills

Ability to manage own workload

Strong organisational skills

Job description

We are recruiting a permanent Assistant Private Secretary (APS) to join the Private Office of the Senior Presiding Judge (SPJ). The team of eleven supports the SPJ and Deputy Senior Presiding Judge (DSPJ) across a broad portfolio, including judicial security, magistrates courts, criminal justice, judicial deployment and welfare, and the court estate. The role works front‑line with senior judiciary, delivering priorities that impact judges across England and Wales.

Hybrid Working

Eligible for hybrid working – minimum 60 % of working time is expected to be spent at the base office, subject to business requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide secretariat support to senior boards and committees – draft agendas, take meeting minutes, track actions and ensure completion.
• Prepare briefings for the SPJ and DSPJ for meetings with senior stakeholders across the justice system.
• Develop evidence‑based recommendations to enable decision‑making.
• Monitor live issues, ensuring timely resolution and escalation to keep the judiciary informed.
• Build and maintain relationships with colleagues at all levels across the Judicial Office, HMCTS, Ministry of Justice and other agencies.
• Support the SPJ and DSPJ on standalone projects led on behalf of the judiciary.
• Maintain understanding of primary portfolio areas and remain aware of wider team work.

Qualifications and Experience

• Strong written communication skills, able to condense large volumes of information into high‑quality briefings.
• Ability to work at pace and deliver high‑quality outputs.
• Capacity to manage own workload, prioritise tasks effectively and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong organisational skills.

Desirable Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Experience providing secretariat support to senior boards or committees.
• Experience working in a Private Office.
• Experience working with the judiciary and/or magistracy, and/or an understanding of the workings of courts and tribunals.

Behaviours (Recruitment/Success Profile)

• Delivering at Pace (lead behaviour)
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Assessment Process

Assessment will include written and oral components focused on the key behaviours: Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, and Communicating and Influencing.

Benefits

Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, rising to 30 days after five years’ service. Additional paid time off for public holidays and one privilege day.

Pension: Choice of Civil Service pension schemes.

Training: Extensive opportunities for staff development provided by the Ministry of Justice.

Employee networks: Support from groups for minority ethnic origin, disabilities, caring responsibilities, women, and LGBTQI+ staff.

Disability & Diversity

The Ministry of Justice is a Disability Confident employer and welcomes reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. We are committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent across all diversity groups, in line with the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Working for the Civil Service

All employees are expected to abide by the Civil Service Code, setting out the standards of behaviour required of civil servants.