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We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates

At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.

Equality and Diversity - Department for Education

The Directorate of Strategy and Delivery brings together Strategy Unit, Delivery Unit, Major Projects and Risk and the Stakeholder and Engagement Division to help the department create a united strategy and turn that into reality.

The Director’s Private Office is a small team providing direct support to the Director and her Deputy Directors (DDs).

This is a fantastic opportunity to directly support the Directorate, in a varied, exciting and challenging role.

In this role you will be critical in delivering day-to-day management of office functions and immediate tasks whilst also playing an important role in shaping and delivering strategic and operational processes. Your role will proactively support the Director, DDs and DST to drive forward cohesion across this varied Directorate. Your responsibilities will include, but are not bounded by:

• Liaise with relevant colleagues to ensure that correspondence received is quickly routed to relevant experts and stakeholders so that accurate and complete responses can be made.
• Effective inbox management to establish priorities and using these to control and action incoming correspondence and commissions.
• Take responsibility for commissioning and collating responses to requests for information or action. To achieve this, you will need to set up and maintain an effective filing and archiving system and be able to respond to enquiries and requests.
• Diary management, including managing meeting requests, organising meetings, act as secretariat for meetings and making the travel requirements as needed. You will be expected to look ahead to identify busy periods for work that is likely to demand time and proactively manage alignment of relevant diaries as appropriate and manage her time to compliment her current priorities.
• Mange and organise an in-house OneNote system to ensure the Director/DDs are prepared for all meeting she attends, including commissioning briefing where needed.
• Lead the directorate communication, including leading a bulletin, Teams page and organising/planning all staff calls.
• Timely processing and recording travel and subsistence claims on departmental systems on behalf of the directors and DDs, seeking the necessary approvals and appropriate retention of evidence;
• Working cohesively and in a joined up way with the directorate and the group’s support teams, and more widely with other PAs across the department;
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships within the directorate.
• Secretariat to meetings as required, including minute taking;
• Handle any sensitive information in a confidential manner.

As this role includes completion of the Business Administration Apprenticeship (Level 3) please check the eligibility requirements below using the apprenticeship standard: Business administrator / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

• You must have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to apprenticeship start date and not be undertaking another apprenticeship at the same time.
• You must not already have a substantial amount of the skills and knowledge that is covered in the contents of the apprenticeship standard.
• You must not have already worked in a similar role, or your previous learning, and/or work experience covers the contents (Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours) of the apprenticeship standard.

Please do not apply if:

• You already have all the skills and knowledge that is covered in the contents of the apprenticeship standard.
• You have already worked in a similar role, or your previous learning, and/or work experience covers the contents (Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours) of the apprenticeship standard.
• You have a degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration.
• Part of this apprenticeship is to complete a level 2 English and maths functional skills qualification. If you have already achieved GCSEs in English and maths at Level 4 (grade C) or equivalent or a higher grade, you will not need to complete the functional skills qualification.

At the enrolment stage, the individual's eligibility will be checked by the training provider.

Essential criteria:

• Have strong interpersonal and communication skills (particularly written). Be a confident communicator with good stakeholder management and the ability to work with senior colleagues across the Department.
• Be flexible, resilient and pragmatic, able to effectively prioritise conflicting demands, work at pace and under pressure, make effective decisions, ensure deadlines are adhered to and have a high tolerance for ambiguity.
• Being organised and innovating, challenging our current ways of working and establishing effective new ways of working.
• Be proficient in Office 365 products including Outlook, Word, Excel & PowerPoint.
• You can challenge input and constructively push back to senior leaders, when needed, ensuring that the Director and DDs receive timely and quality service

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds. We are a friendly and busy team, and you will be provided with the support and training needed for you to perform at your best.

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances, but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

Job contact :

Name :
Thomas Munnelly
Email :
[email protected]

Recruitment team

Email :
[email protected]