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 starting salary for the London based location is £61,201.
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:
ABOUT THE ROLE:
This is a challenging but highly rewarding role. It offers a unique and exciting opportunity to operate at the very heart of the Northern Ireland Office, working closely with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Special Advisers, and senior officials. You will work alongside the Principal Private Secretary and the rest of the Private Office team to deliver a highly effective and resilient Private Office operation, allowing you to gain an unrivalled insight into the workings of the Department, Whitehall and the Northern Ireland Executive.
The Senior Private Secretary acts as a key link and channel of communication between Ministers and the Department, as well as managing relationships with wider Government. You will lead on the submission of policy advice to Ministers to support their decision making, and advise on the presentation of their key objectives. You will use your judgement to identify issues that need to be brought to the attention of the Secretary of State and the political team.. You will work closely with the senior management team on the delivery of Ministers’ objectives, and in ensuring the department has a clear understanding of Ministers’ views and priorities. You will represent the Secretary of State around Whitehall, with the Northern Ireland Executive, and with external stakeholders.
You will play a leadership role across the private office group and have line management responsibilities, overseeing the performance management of your team to ensure high standards of service. You will have a distinct policy portfolio and provide oversight on the policy areas and operational functions which your direct reports lead on.
You will work closely with Special Advisers, Communications and External Relations colleagues within the department. Building effective external networks and relationships with other Ministerial Private Office teams in both Whitehall and Northern Ireland will be critical.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The main responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:
● Smooth and efficient running of the Private Office team, working alongside the Principal Private Secretary, senior officials, and Special Advisers to deliver the highest quality support and advice for the Secretary of State and the political team.
● Line management of a team of Private Office staff. You will be responsible for ensuring all staff are managed effectively, that they work as one team across the private office group, with a focus on coaching and development.
● Ensuring that the Department has a clear understanding of Ministerial views, priorities and objectives, guiding officials in their preparation of briefing for Ministers on key policy issues, engaging with confidence and authority with senior officials to ensure Ministerial steers are taken forward.
● Playing an active leadership role as part of the Private Office management team. This includes taking ownership of several core private office processes, driving forward efficiencies and bolstering the resilience of the team.
● Participating in the Private Office network across Whitehall and building partnerships with key external stakeholders. You will have the credibility to represent the views of the Secretary of State and the Department across Whitehall and externally.