Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Ref: 5512 )

This position is based at NIO Erskine House,BT1 4GF, NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE LONDON, SW1A 2HQ

Job Summary

Please refer to Job Description

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Business Area Private Office

Role Title Two Roles: Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Private Secretary to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Terms of Appointment Permanent

Band Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

Location Northern Ireland or London

Erskine House, 20-32 Chichester St, Belfast BT1 4GF or

1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ

Occasional Travel Between Belfast And London Will Be Required.

Vacancy Manager Harry Welch

Applications Invited From External Candidates and Existing Civil Servants on level transfer and promotion

New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join on the minimum of the pay range.

Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.

The national starting salary is £41,463. The London starting salary is £47,657. Your salary will be dependent on your base location

A Private Office allowance applies for this role

BACKGROUND

The Northern Ireland Office supports the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in promoting the best interests of Northern Ireland. We make sure that Northern Ireland interests are represented within the UK Government and that UK government

responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Northern Ireland. We are the centre of expertise on Northern Ireland issues across Government.

The Northern Ireland Office employs around 170 staff, with offices in Belfast and London. As a small Department, we adopt a flexible project-based approach to ensure that we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place to support the delivery of our key objectives.

Due to our structure and size, we are able to offer extensive exposure to Ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of policy and responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department. This creates an interesting and stimulating work environment.

Our key priorities are set out in our Operational Delivery plan and include:

• Supporting greater inclusion, tolerance and openness in Northern Ireland
• Contributing to a safer Northern Ireland, where terrorist and paramilitary groups are less able to cause harm to communities
• Ensuring that governance in Northern Ireland is responsive, transparent and able to deliver effective public service.
• Addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland
  
  

For More Information About What We Do:

Visit:https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/northern-ireland-office https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

We are recruiting for two Ministerial Private Secretaries, one to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and one to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

These are exciting and varied roles at the very heart of the Northern Ireland Office. You will join a friendly, high achieving private office team, where no two days are the

same. We are looking for candidates with a positive, can-do attitude who are ready to get stuck in to support the ministerial team.

The Secretary of State has overall responsibility for the ministerial work of the Northern Ireland Office. The Secretary of State leads on engagement with the Northern Ireland Executive; political stability; implementation of the Windsor Framework; legacy; economic growth; national security; and work to ensure that NI is fully engaged in the development and delivery of new government policy, especially the Missions-led approach.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State supports the Secretary of State in engagement with the Northern Ireland Executive, represents the Department in public affairs and leads specifically on public service transformation (including support for the growth and impact of integrated education) and community engagement.

These Private Secretary positions are stretching roles in the ministerial office, covering the entire breadth of the department’s policy focuses. You will also lead on a key Private Office function, such as writerounds. As part of the Private Office Group, which includes the Permanent Secretary’s office, the correspondence manager and the Parliamentary team, you will work closely with colleagues across the group to ensure effective join up and delivery of Ministers’ priorities.

These roles will be suited to someone organised, communicative, and attentive to detail. Things can change at the last minute so you should be adaptable and patient. The team can be very busy so you will also need to be able to make informed decisions independently and with confidence. That said, you will be supported by a team of other private secretaries, all of whom are working together to deliver the best possible service to ministers and the political team.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The main responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:

• Supporting the Secretary of State or Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on high-profile policy areas, and contributing to the smooth and efficient running of the ministerial Private Office, delivering the highest quality support;
• Working across the Private Office Group, the NIO and wider Whitehall in a leadership role and representing your Principals’ views with credibility;
• Providing strategic advice and join up on the preparation of policy advice from across the Department;
• Supporting ministerial visits in Northern Ireland and overseas as required;
• Leading on a key PO function;
• Line management of one Diary Secretary for both roles
  
  

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

The post holder will need to demonstrate the following in their application and at interview:

A proactive, can-do attitude, with an ability to review processes and think strategically and creatively to implement solutions independently;

Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, and work effectively across a range of tasks and under pressure;

Exceptional interpersonal and management skills with the ability to understand different perspectives;

A strong ability to influence at all levels, including with Senior Officials/ stakeholders, and to work collaboratively to resolve difficult issues;

Proven experience of working effectively with Ministers and/or equivalent senior officials/ stakeholders.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

An understanding of propriety and ethics and the ability to maintain appropriate standards in line with the Civil Service, Ministerial, and Special Advisers’ Code.

An understanding of the Northern Ireland political system and of the work of the Northern Ireland Executive.

BEHAVIOURS:

We will assess you against the following Success Profiles Behaviours for the SEO level during the application sift and interview process

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
  
  

EXPERIENCE:

Please provide a statement of suitability in no longer than 500 words outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria. This will be used in order to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role.

Your statement of suitability needs to set out evidence of how your experience meets the requirements set out above. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. One narrative example may cover the requirements needed. You don’t have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why. What you can do, the skills you have that are transferable and the life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role.

If you don’t have work-based examples then give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in

More information on behaviours and success profiles can be found here.

Please note that in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run the initial sift on the lead Behaviour Communicating and Influencing .

INTERVIEW:

You will be assessed against the same behaviours at the interview stage and will be asked to provide examples of how you have demonstrated the behaviours

Top scoring candidates from the interview interview, will be invited for a fireside chat with the Secretary of State or the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

It May Help To Use One Or More Examples Of a Piece Of Work You Have Completed Or a Situation You Have Been In And Use The WHO Or STAR Model To Explain:

WHO- Whatit was?Howyou approached the work/situation? What theOutcomeswere, what did youachieve? or

STAR- What was theSituation? What were theTasks? WhatActiondid you take? What were the Results of your actions?

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered. Failure to provide sufficient information in support of an application prior to the closing date will not be considered as grounds for an appeal if an applicant is not shortlisted for interview.

SECURITY CLEARANCE:

This role requires National Security Vetting given the access to sensitive information afforded by the job role. You can find more information by reviewing the information held in the following links:

United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The vetting charter - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

In addition, there is a minimum UK residency requirement set by the Cabinet Office which is dependent on the security level required for the role.

This role requires SC and to be eligible to apply for this role you should have been present in the UK continuously for the past 5 years

Neither Detached Duty terms nor relocation costs will apply to this post.

Further Information:

Further information about the post may be obtained from Harry Welch via email to harry.welch@nio.gov.uk

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

This job description should not be taken as constituting conditions of employment.

Please note that due to the high interest in NIO opportunities, feedback cannot be given if you are unsuccessful at the sift stage. Feedback is available on request if unsuccessful following the interview.

COMPLAINTS:

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles.

Please Contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk) In The First Instance. If You Are Not Satisfied With The Response, You May Bring Your Complaint To The Commission. For Further Information On Bringing a Complaint To The Civil Service Commission Please Visit Their Web Pages:

http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/

https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/

RESERVE LISTS:

In the event that the advertised post following interview, identifies more appointable applicants than available posts, we may hold applicant details on a merit/reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further future appointments can be made. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact

MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com to be removed from the reserve list.

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The NIO offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different NIO sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

Flexible working hours

The NIO offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working

hours are 37 hours per week. NIO welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the NIO’s Flexible Working policy.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);

To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);

To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. We are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

Interview dates

Date(s) TBC

Closing Date:

27/01/2025, 23:55 hours.

Contact information

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com

Closing Date:

27/01/2025, 23:55 hours.

Contact information

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com

Person specification

Please Refer To Job Description

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
  
  

Alongside your salary of £41,463, Ministry of Justice contributes £12,011 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance
  
  

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
  
  

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact :

• Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
• Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
• Telephone : 0345 241 5359
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
  
  

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. I you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/

https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/5512?entityId=5512