Assistant Private Secretary Edinburgh, Scotland
Scottish Government
Full Time
Edinburgh, Scotland
27263 - 45943 GBP ANNUAL Today
Job description
Overview:
We’re looking for talented people, from all walks of life, who want to make a difference to the lives of people in Scotland, to join us in Ministerial Private Office division as Assistant Private Secretaries (APS).
As an Assistant Private Secretary you will have a pivotal role within Private Office through management of all correspondence, Ministerial diaries, administration and logistical support for Ministers. You will play a vital role in supporting the Scottish Ministers’ schedules; and managing communication channels with the wider Scottish Government and external stakeholders.
Time spent in Ministerial Private Office will mean that you learn and understand the intricacies of Parliamentary and Cabinet business whilst observing decision making at its highest level in Government.
We want to reflect the make-up of modern Scotland in the talent we recruit and the work we do. We believe that by valuing diverse perspectives, we can better serve the people of Scotland. Furthermore, by having a culture that is open and inclusive we aim to make a fairer, healthier and more prosperous Scotland for everyone. Applications are particularly welcome from candidates from underrepresented groups.
We will invest in your potential by supporting your development through a structured induction programme which will include on the job training, a buddy system, access to specific Private Office training modules and signposting to other relevant Learning and Development activities. Through regular feedback, your team leader will also discuss and help you seek out opportunities to develop yourself both within post and Ministerial Private Office division.
We anticipate vacancies will arise in the forthcoming months within various portfolio Private Offices. In normal times, the post is based in St Andrew’s House, and involves working in the Scottish Parliament building and may involve travel with the Minister across Scotland. At the moment there are hybrid working arrangements. We will hold a reserve list of names for any future posts that arise.
Responsibilities:
Competencies
Self Awareness
Information Management
Communications and Engagement
Team Working
Customer Service
Essential Criteria & Qualifications:
Essential Criteria
1. Excellent administration and organisational skills.
2. Confidence in dealing with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
3. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
4. Proven track record of working effectively and flexibly as part of a team.
Diversity/Disability
We are committed to increasing the diversity of staff. We will develop all our staff, and positively value different perspectives and skills. We want to make full use of these on our work. We especially welcome applications from the minority ethnic and disabled community since these groups are under-represented at present.
To apply, you must fully complete and submit an online application via this website before the closing date.
For futher information on this post please review the Person Specification below.
Person Specification
To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Kevin McArthur at [email protected]
The Scottish Government is a diverse and inclusive workplace and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any adjustments to our recruitment process, please let us know via [email protected]
As part of any recruitment process, Scottish Government and associated public bodies collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants and applicants for public appointments.
Personal information you provide in the recruitment process will be made available to Scottish Government and our additional data processors.
Are you a team player?
Are you looking for a role that offers career development opportunities?
Do you want to work at the centre of Government? If so, Ministerial Private Office division could be for you…
Do you want to work at the centre of Government? If so, Ministerial Private Office division could be for you…
We’re looking for talented people, from all walks of life, who want to make a difference to the lives of people in Scotland, to join us in Ministerial Private Office division as Assistant Private Secretaries (APS).
As an Assistant Private Secretary you will have a pivotal role within Private Office through management of all correspondence, Ministerial diaries, administration and logistical support for Ministers. You will play a vital role in supporting the Scottish Ministers’ schedules; and managing communication channels with the wider Scottish Government and external stakeholders.
Time spent in Ministerial Private Office will mean that you learn and understand the intricacies of Parliamentary and Cabinet business whilst observing decision making at its highest level in Government.
We want to reflect the make-up of modern Scotland in the talent we recruit and the work we do. We believe that by valuing diverse perspectives, we can better serve the people of Scotland. Furthermore, by having a culture that is open and inclusive we aim to make a fairer, healthier and more prosperous Scotland for everyone. Applications are particularly welcome from candidates from underrepresented groups.
We will invest in your potential by supporting your development through a structured induction programme which will include on the job training, a buddy system, access to specific Private Office training modules and signposting to other relevant Learning and Development activities. Through regular feedback, your team leader will also discuss and help you seek out opportunities to develop yourself both within post and Ministerial Private Office division.
We anticipate vacancies will arise in the forthcoming months within various portfolio Private Offices. In normal times, the post is based in St Andrew’s House, and involves working in the Scottish Parliament building and may involve travel with the Minister across Scotland. At the moment there are hybrid working arrangements. We will hold a reserve list of names for any future posts that arise.
- Management of all diary requests, including liaison with the Private Office team, communication colleagues, Special Advisers, policy colleagues, and external stakeholders on scheduling and diary request prioritisation;
- Meeting management, including all relevant logistical support, commissioning briefing for Ministers;
- Management of the Ministerial Database, processing of Ministerial Expenses, and management of purchasing for the Private Office;
- Management of Ministerial travel, working in close partnership with the Scottish Government travel company
- Management of correspondence in and out of the Minister’s office, including decision making on the type of response required, and prioritisation of correspondence;
- This duty includes an element of quality assurance of responses, and will involve close partnership working with policy colleagues;
- Management of the Parliamentary Question process, including liaising with Special Advisers and collating briefing for possible supplementary questions in response to oral PQs, often within demanding deadlines;
- Management of papers for Cabinet, including coordination of briefing for the Minister.
Competencies
Self Awareness
Information Management
Communications and Engagement
Team Working
Customer Service
Essential Criteria & Qualifications:
No specific qualifications required.
Essential Criteria
1. Excellent administration and organisational skills.
2. Confidence in dealing with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
3. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
4. Proven track record of working effectively and flexibly as part of a team.
Diversity/Disability
We are committed to increasing the diversity of staff. We will develop all our staff, and positively value different perspectives and skills. We want to make full use of these on our work. We especially welcome applications from the minority ethnic and disabled community since these groups are under-represented at present.
To apply, you must fully complete and submit an online application via this website before the closing date.
For futher information on this post please review the Person Specification below.
Person Specification
To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Kevin McArthur at [email protected]
The Scottish Government is a diverse and inclusive workplace and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any adjustments to our recruitment process, please let us know via [email protected]
As part of any recruitment process, Scottish Government and associated public bodies collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants and applicants for public appointments.
Personal information you provide in the recruitment process will be made available to Scottish Government and our additional data processors.
Scottish Government
www.gov.scot
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Nicola Sturgeon
$25 to $50 million (USD)
1001 to 5000 Employees
Government
National Services & Agencies
1885
