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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: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Department: Northern Ireland Office

Post Vacant: Policy Adviser, UK-Ireland Team, Political Affairs Group - Band C / HEO

Location: London or Belfast with occasional travel to the other office. Some international travel may also be required.

Duration: Loan for a period of up to two years.

Applications Invited From: Existing Civil Servants on level transfer or promotion.

External candidates with comparable skills or experience.

(Salary scale: Inner London £35,405 - £39,000 and National £31,265 - £34,446)

Who we are

Inclusion and diversity

The Northern Ireland Office is committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, as they are under-represented within the NIO at this level.

The Northern Ireland Office strives to be an inclusive employer and is recognised by its staff and externally as being an employer where Diversity and Inclusion are valued. We hold a Diversity & Inclusion Charter Mark and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader organisation. In March 2018 we won the award for Best Employer for Diversity & Equality in Northern Ireland (small employer category) in a Gala Award ceremony hosted by Legal-Island, a multi-award winning workplace compliance company based in Northern Ireland. We have an active D&I network supporting colleagues through D&I Advocates, championed by our Directors.

We want all our people to feel valued for who they are and we are confident that you will find the NIO a warm, welcoming and inclusive place to work.

What we do

Background:

The Northern Ireland Office represents Northern Ireland interests at a UK Government level and UK Government interests in Northern Ireland. We have a wide range of responsibilities, including: underpinning political stability in Northern Ireland; overseeing the Northern Ireland devolution settlement; leading on national security policy in Northern Ireland; addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past; delivering elections and constitutional reform in Northern Ireland; playing a key role in rebalancing the NI economy; and representing NI interests, including on the border with Ireland, following the exit from the EU. Our small size and diverse portfolio create a stimulating, fast-paced and challenging working environment, with regular engagement with a range of Ministers and senior officials. We support flexible working and have a modern, flexible IT system which helps enable this.

About the Role:

This role is located in the Political Affairs Group, which aims to support a thriving democracy at all levels in Northern Ireland, working with other Government departments, the NI Executive and wider stakeholders. This reflects the Government’s goals of strengthening the Union, levelling up, and ensuring robust and vibrant politics and community relations in Northern Ireland. The Political Affairs Group leads on the UK Government’s strategy for Northern Ireland politics and communities, and on international interest in respect of Northern Ireland. It leads our strategic relationships with political parties, devolved institutions and community and civic society organisations as well as international stakeholders.

In this post, you will support the work of the branch focusing on the UK-Ireland relationship. Working closely with FCDO desk officers in London, the Embassy in Dublin and Cabinet Office colleagues, you will support our engagement with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs at working level and support extensive senior and ministerial contacts.

This branch has delivery responsibility for the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference and leads the UK half of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat, a joint team between the UK and Irish Governments. The Conference is a significant deliverable for the Department comprising both events delivery and policy/strategy work. The postholder will manage engagement, carry out logistical planning, monitor budgets and provide policy and finance support as required.

Finally, the branch oversees the UK’s relationship with the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), including board appointments and scrutiny of the Fund’s full breadth of programming and risks. The postholder will support the NIO relationship with the IFI secretariat and assist with the monitoring of IFI programming.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The main responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:

• Supporting engagement with internal and external stakeholders, by organising meetings, taking minutes and maintaining a network of contacts.
• Leading on logistical planning for the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, for example booking travel and accommodation, liaising with suppliers, working with the NIO Finance Team, and carrying out recces/risk assessments.
• Contributing to briefings and submissions for senior officials and Ministers.

Essential Criteria:

To be successful you must be able to demonstrate that you have:

• Experience of building and maintaining relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to multitask/manage competing priorities.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of event delivery.

Selection Process:

The selection and interview process will consist of two stages. Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered.

Sift

As part of the application process you will be asked to upload a CV and personal statement of suitability. Your personal statement of suitability (maximum 500 words) should outline how you meet the essential/desirable criteria. Applications will be sifted on CV and statement of suitability.

Interview

The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of behaviours and experience based questions and will be conducted either remotely or in-person. You will be assessed using the following success profiles behaviours at Level 3:

• Communicating and influencing
• Working together
• Managing a quality service
• Delivering at pace

Security Clearance

Security clearance to CTC level will be required for this post.

Eligibility Sift

An eligibility sift will be carried out on the basis of the information contained in the application form. It is therefore important that all applicants demonstrate in their application how and to what extent their behaviours are relevant to the above criteria. Those candidates who do not clearly demonstrate that they meet the experience and behaviours will not be invited to interview.

Pay and Allowances

The successful candidate will adopt the terms and conditions of the NIO for the length of their appointment.

Neither Detached Duty terms nor relocation costs will apply to this post.

Further Information

Further information about the post may be obtained from Steven Webb at [email protected].

Applications

You can apply for this post through the Civil Service website at civilservice.gov.uk. Once logged onto the site go to the civil service jobs page and then search for jobs in the Northern Ireland Office where the application form can be found.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit. Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered. Failure to provide sufficient information in support of an application prior to the closing date will not be considered as grounds for an appeal if an applicant is not shortlisted for interview. Home Civil Service applicants who, because of disability, need assistance in completing the application form should contact MoJ Shared Services on 0845 010 3512. This job description should not be taken as constituting conditions of employment.

Please note that due to the high interest in NIO opportunities, feedback cannot be given if you are unsuccessful at sift stage. Feedback is available on request if unsuccessful following interview.

Additional Information

Further information about us

We are a small and friendly department of approximately 185 staff. Due to our size we are able to offer staff more exposure to ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department. This creates an interesting, though often challenging, work environment.

Other Benefits

The NIO offers a pleasant, modern work environment which allows consideration of a range of flexible working arrangements which support a good work/life balance. These include flexible/ alternative working patterns, part-time and job-share options.

Benefits include:

• Interest-free season ticket and bicycle loans
• Reward & Recognition scheme

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

The Northern Ireland Office operates the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, details of which are attached to the application form for this post.

In the event that we identify more appointable candidates than we currently have posts available, we will hold applicant details on a reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. This may include roles at a lower grade. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact [email protected] to be removed from the reserve list.

Further information on civil service careers can be found at www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles.

Please contact SSCL ([email protected]) in the first instance.

If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages:

http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/

https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/

Merit Lists

In the event that the advertised post following interview, identifies more appointable applicants than available posts, we will hold applicant details on a merit/reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further future appointments can be made. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact [email protected] to be removed from the reserve list.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Job contact :

Name :
SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
Email :
[email protected]
Telephone :
0845 241 5359

Recruitment team :

Email :
[email protected]