Assistant Private Secretary London, England
Job description
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Type of role
Secretarial
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About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
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Location
About the job
Job summary
Business Unit Overview
Working in the Private Office of the Government Chief Commercial Officer (GCCO), this Assistant Private Secretary (APS) role is a stretching and varied posting working at the heart of Government on key commercial programmes and government reform agenda. The post holder will manage a broad, interesting and dynamic portfolio of work across the Government Commercial Function.
This role represents an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of the Cabinet Office and the GCF delivering on priorities such as procurement rules reform bill, managing markets and suppliers, and the expansion of the commercial capability programme. This role is suitable for an individual who is keen to embrace challenging environments and learn more about the Government Commercial Function. This role represents a rare opportunity to gain exposure to senior leadership in the Cabinet Office, as well as developing a working knowledge of the kind of commercial issues faced by government.
The APS will help to manage the day-to-day running of the office, but there will also be scope for the post holder to take the lead on certain discrete, strategic projects if desired (these could include: Cabinet Office functional agenda, Civil Service reform).
This is a high-profile role which will require the post holder to engage with senior stakeholders from across Government on a daily basis, providing an excellent opportunity to build experience and confidence in dealing with Ministers and SCS, as well as an opportunity to expand their network for future career development.
The team is made up of a Chief of Staff (Grade 6), 3rd year Fast Streamer, APS and a Diary Manager (EO). The APS will have the opportunity to develop their team leadership skills in this small, agile unit.
Job description
The post holder will have responsibility for the day-to-day management of office, supporting the work of the Chief of Staff and wider PO team. This will require a proactive approach, strong stakeholder management skills, as well as a keen interest in the commercial issues facing government. A summary of tasks is below:
- Play a key role in the day-to-day running of the office - manage inboxes, deal with incoming calls and act as a point of contact for the office. This will involve daily contact with Commercial Directors across Government and all of the Central Commercial Teams.
- Read and prepare papers for the Chief and the Deputy Chief Commercial Officer, briefing him, offering advice and collaborating with teams across Government.
- Coordinate and draft high-profile briefings for ministers, Permanent Secretaries, COOs, Cabinet Secretary etc.
- Help to arrange meetings and manage logistics for Chief Commercial Officer. This will involve working with stakeholders of all levels across Government and outside of Government.
- Act as an extra resource for briefing, minute-taking and action management in meetings, project management, drafting communications and researching evidence for the Chief Commercial Officer.
Person specification
Skills & Experience:
Essential criteria:
- Highly organised and responsive with proven ability to prioritise amongst competing tasks and deadlines and manage own time efficiently.
- Clear, concise communication skills, able to explain issues quickly and simply.
- Able to analyse complex issues (including in documents and correspondence), identify the key information and summarise for senior stakeholders.
- Effective at building relationships with other teams to deliver against shared responsibilities, and understanding when to lean in and offer support.
- Good at managing ambiguity and identifying key tasks or obstacles to progress.
Desirable criteria:
- Previous Private Office or senior management support experience.
- Previous experience in a commercial role or commercial function.
- Comfortable taking initiative in engaging with senior stakeholders and developing action plans to resolve issues.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- An environment with flexible working options.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%.
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application process
As part of the application process, you will be assessed on your Experience and will be asked to complete:
- A name-blind (anonymous) CV which includes job history & skills and experience.
- A name-blind statement of suitability (500 words max.). Referring to the essential criteria section of the job advert please demonstrate how you are suitable for the role by providing relevant examples.
At interview you will be assessed on behaviours, experience and strength criteria.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – w/c 4th September.
Expected interview date/s – w/c 18th September
Interview location - Online (Google Meet)
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: [email protected].
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: [email protected].
For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.
