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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.

SEO – Private Secretary to Secretary of State for Scotland [Scotland Office]

The Scotland Office is looking for an outstanding Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Scotland.

We are looking for a Private Secretary who is enthusiastic, organised, driven and outcome-focused, to support the Secretary of State and deliver the Government’s ambitious agenda. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to operate at the very heart of Government in a leadership role. You will work daily with senior officials, special advisers and across private offices to help ensure the Secretary of State receives high quality and timely advice.

The role is at SEO / Band B level and will be based in the Scotland Office in our London site, Dover House. The role comes with an additional stipend, known as a Private Office Allowance, worth an extra £5,835 per year.

Overview

The Scotland Office supports the Secretary of State in promoting the best interests of Scotland within a stronger United Kingdom. It ensures Scottish interests are fully and effectively represented at the heart of the UK Government, and the UK Government’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Scotland.

The Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland’s role is to:

• Strengthen and sustain the Union
• Act as Scotland’s voice in Whitehall
• Champion the UK Government in Scotland

We have an inclusive culture and work continuously to ensure the Scotland Office is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity and want to continually improve our ability to represent the places and communities we support through our work.

The Role

This fast-paced and rewarding role offers opportunities rarely available at this grade to work directly with a Cabinet Minister. You will be a focal part of a high-performing,, friendly and supportive Private Office, working at the centre of Whitehall.

You will lead on a broad range of policy matters as well as corporate delivery, the exact scope of which will be agreed when you join the team.

The role is highly-rewarding, varied and stimulating. Key responsibilities include:

• Working closely with Special Advisers and senior officials to provide high quality advice to the Secretary of State.
• Leading a team to deliver on the organisations’ vision, delivering a quality service at pace. This Includes line management of two Assistant Private Secretaries (HEO) and oversees the work of the Correspondence Manager (EO).
• Building relationships and engaging directly with senior colleagues and stakeholders, making recommendations to support decision-making to deliver the Scotland Office’s priorities.
• Working autonomously and taking decisions under pressure when required.
• Communicating messages on complex problems in a way that is understood by all.
• Forging and maintaining strong and productive working relationships with key Private Offices across Whitehall and the Scottish Government.

Person Specification

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly-organised individual, who is also an empathetic leader with people and capability building experience. You will be a team player who will be able to balance competing priorities and manage a busy workload, with the ability to horizon scan and react quickly to emerging priorities.

You will be assertive and confident in your ability to effectively communicate with Ministers, Special Advisers and officials at all levels, and will need excellent judgement and political awareness.

The role is London-based, and requires in–person responsibilities, as well as travel to Scotland, across the UK and abroad to support the Secretary of State on visits and meetings with key stakeholders. The role may also require unsocial hours. As such, it attracts a private secretary allowance.

Given its unique position, the Scotland Office uses Ministry of Justice terms and conditions for recruitment (this is not a role in the MoJ). For substantive civil servants, we are able to offer the MoJ terms or offer the option of a loan agreement with the home department.

The successful candidate will need to have or complete national security vetting at CTC level initially. Please note that these checks take on average 1-2 months to complete.

Contact details

If you are interested in the role and would like to discuss in further detail please contact: [email protected]

Skills

Essential:

• Strong oral and written communication skills and excellent interpersonal and team working skills.
• A “can-do” attitude and team player who can drive forward multiple priorities simultaneously.
• A clear and demonstrable ability to work at pace in a high profile and rapidly changing environment
• Experience working on policy development or and delivery.

Desirable:

• Experience of working closely with Ministers and/ or senior officials in a high profile area of work.

Salary

£43,647 - £48,067

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on ‘modernised’ terms in their current post or onto ‘unmodernised’ MoJ terms if they are on ‘unmodernised’ terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

• A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

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

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm) or e mail [email protected]);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ([email protected]);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

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.