STARS - International, Strategy, Engagement and Devolution Directorate (ISED) - Scotland Desk Officer Birmingham, England
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Job summary
The Home Office has one of the most challenging and critical jobs in Whitehall: to keep Britain safe and secure. We operate at the heart of the Government's agenda, leading on immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime policy, counter-extremism and counterterrorism and work to ensure visible, responsive and accountable policing in the UK. The challenges the Department faces are significant and can change rapidly in the global environment in which we operate, making this one of the most exciting and stimulating Government Departments in which to work.
The Science, Technology, Research, Analysis and Strategy (STARS) Director General (DG) area is responsible for setting overall strategy across the Home Office, to enable the rest of the business areas to achieve their potential in a single, shared direction. STARS is integral to the whole Home Office business, informing, delivering and make sense of cross-cutting activity for example through development of robust Science and Technology and analysis, and to ensure we are pulling together in pursuit of shared objectives.
This post sits in the Home Office’s Scotland Team within the International, Strategy, Engagement and Devolution (ISED) Directorate of STARS. ISED is responsible for the delivery of the international aspects of Home Office objectives, helping the department deliver its priorities via international channels such as bilateral relationships, multilateral fora and overseas projects. ISED also leads on the department’s domestic engagement, including working with the Devolved Administrations.
Job description
This is a great opportunity to work in a key team within the Home Office. From migration to counter-terrorism; the fight against organised crime to international trade, the Home Office’s agenda through the UK is large and complicated.
The Home Office’s Scotland Team is responsible for strengthening the influence and position of the Home Office in Scotland. The post holder will provide support for the delivery of a number of key Home Office portfolios in Scotland and will have an important role to play in supporting the delivery of the UK Government’s Union Strategy and levelling up agenda in Scotland.
You will need to understand the full range of Home Office objectives in Scotland, as well as the broader policy and political landscape and the Scottish devolution settlement. You will be expected to represent the Home Office in meetings and brief senior officials and Ministers when required.
This is an exciting opportunity which provides significant opportunity for the post holder to positively influence the work of the department.
We particularly welcome applications from individuals based in Scotland to apply. There is an expectation that applicants will spend the majority of their office time in our Edinburgh base, or elsewhere in Scotland as the business need arises. We will accept applications from individuals based outside of Edinburgh / Scotland on the basis they are prepared to take regular travel to meet this expectation.
Candidates internal to the Home Office can be considered under a voluntary relocation under the STAR Places for Growth offer, subject to approvals.
Due to business requirements, this role is only available full time.
In line with HO Hybrid Working policy, this post can be based at any of the locations listed and there will be flexibility to adopt a hybrid working pattern which would see the post holder spend 40% of their week in the office, with the remainder working from home.
Person specification
Your responsibilities will include:
1. Lead and maintain working level relationships within Scotland, including with Scottish Government, COSLA, Police Scotland and the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland.
2. Lead on Scotland strategy and country planning, including maintaining the ISED Scotland country plan.
3. Acting as a recognisable point of contact and source of expertise on Scotland to the Home Office and UK Government partners.
4. Attend working level meetings relevant to Scotland and develop effective working relationships with other UK Government departments.
5. Work with the Ministerial visits team and other Home Office colleagues on the planning and delivery of Ministerial and senior official visits to Scotland.
6. Work collaboratively with Home Office Wales, England and NI Desk Officers to ensure coherent and effective UK-wide delivery of Home Office policy.
7. Drafting policy papers, submissions and briefings when needed.
Note: You may be required to carry out other duties within the scope of the grade and within the limits of your skill, competence and training.
Essential criteria
Successful candidate must have:
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop good quality working relationships, both within the Home Office and outside.
- Good organisational capability to be able to forecast, plan, develop and manage objectives and engagement in Scotland.
- A desire to contribute towards positive change in Scotland.
Desirable criteria
- Awareness of policy development processes and working with Ministers.
- Experience or understanding of working in a devolved context.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, Suitability Statement (Max 500 Word Limit) and one behaviour example. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The Statement of Suitability should explain your motivation for applying to this role and offer evidence how you meet the essential criteria listed above.
The sift will be based on the Suitability Statement and lead Behaviour 'Communicating and Influencing'.
The CV is for information purposes only and will not be marked.
Candidates shortlisted will be invited to an interview which will be Behaviour based questions.
Sift and Interview dates
Sift will take place from 2nd June 2023
Interviews will take place week commencing 19th June 2023 (subject to change).
You will be invited to attend a video interview utilising Microsoft Teams.
Candidates will be required to have access to:
- A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
- Good internet connection
- Microsoft Teams
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to time constraints we may not be able to offer alternative interview date(s). It is therefore expected that candidates who are successful at sift stage will make themselves available during the above time frame given.
Further information
For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years if the role requires CTC clearance, 5 years for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.
We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.
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.
For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.
Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.
Transfer Terms: Voluntary.
If you are invited to an interview you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.
Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.
Any move to the Home 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
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is 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
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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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).
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