Based in Belfast or London, this role offers an exciting opportunity to operate at the very heart of the Northern Ireland Office. Reporting directly to the Permanent Secretary and working alongside our existing Directors, you will have a pivotal role in that the Northern Ireland Office fully meets its objectives as set by Ministers, as well as representing the UK Government’s interests in Northern Ireland directly with key politicians, community and business leaders and security partners.
This role requires significant leadership capability to deliver responsibilities in a fascinating, energising and challenging policy and operational context. Given the size of the Department and the breadth of its portfolio, the post-holder will work closely with the Permanent Secretary, the Secretary of State, the wider ministerial team and Special Advisers, as well as with senior officials across Whitehall and in partner organisations. They will also work closely and through their teams with a range of interests outside government to help make Northern Ireland a great place to live, work and invest.
A high priority will be to build and sustain effective relationships with the centre of Government in Whitehall, the Northern Ireland Executive, Civil Service, and in the wider community, to ensure that the work and role of the Northern Ireland Office is understood and delivered, maximising the impact and support that can be provided to partners across Government.
Precise responsibilities of this Director role may change. The main responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:
• Leadership of a range of a significant policy portfolio as outlined above. You will provide strategic leadership and direction on the sensitive and complex policy issues affecting Northern Ireland.
• You will develop strategy and manage senior relationships, working closely with a small number of experienced Deputy Directors, to lead a strong group of team members spread across two locations. We are a flexible and agile department, used to responding to the unexpected, so you will regularly find yourself picking up new issues and responsibilities.
• You will play a key role with the Permanent Secretary and other Directors as part of the Senior Leadership Team of the Department. You will sit on the Departmental Board and, separately, other management committees comprising Directors and Deputy Directors that lead the day-to-day work of the department.
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit:
Diversity & 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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Please view our candidate information pack for full details about the role, key responsibilities person specification, and the criteria you will be assessed against throughout the recruitment process.
If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, and feel that you meet the criteria, we would welcome your application.
Please note that this vacancy is NOT part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative and the corresponding application question will be disregarded.