PAY:
Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.
Your salary will be dependent on your base location.
BACKGROUND
The Northern Ireland Office supports the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in promoting the best interests of Northern Ireland. We make sure that Northern Ireland’s interests are represented within the UK Government and that UK government responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Northern Ireland. We are the centre of expertise on Northern Ireland issues across Government.
The Northern Ireland Office employs around 170 staff, with offices in Belfast and London. As a small Department, we adopt a flexible project-based approach to ensure that we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place to support the delivery of our key objectives.
Due to our structure and size, we are able to offer extensive exposure to Ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of policy and responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department. This creates an interesting and stimulating work environment.
Our key priorities are set out in our Operational Delivery plan and include:
- Supporting greater inclusion, tolerance and openness in Northern Ireland
Contributing to a safer Northern Ireland, w- terrorist and paramilitary groups are less able to cause harm to communities
- Ensuring that governance in Northern Ireland is responsive, transparent and able to deliver effective public service.
- Addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland
For more information about what we do:
Visit:https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/northern-ireland-office https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
We are recruiting for a Private Secretary within the Ministerial Office in the Northern Ireland Office (NIO). In this role, you will lead a policy portfolio supporting all three ministers—the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and the Lords Minister—while acting as the lead Private Secretary for the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.
This is an exciting and varied role at the very heart of the NIO. You will join a friendly, high-achieving private office team w no two days are the same. We are looking for candidates with a positive, can-do attitude who are ready to get stuck in to support the ministerial team at the Northern Ireland Office.
You will also lead on a key Private Office function, such as Parliamentary Work or Communications. As part of the Private Office Group, which includes the Permanent Secretary’s office, the correspondence manager and the Parliamentary team, you will work ly with colleagues across the group to ensure effective join up and delivery of ministers’ priorities.
This role will be suited to someone organised, communicative, and attentive to detail. Things can change at the last minute so you should be adaptable and patient. The team can be very busy so you will also need to be able to make informed decisions independently and with confidence. That said, you will be supported by a team of other private secretaries, all of whom are working together to deliver the best possible service to ministers and the political team.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The main responsibilities of the role include:
- Leading on a policy portfolio for 3 ministers (the Secretary of State, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, and Lords Minister), while acting as the lead Private Secretary for the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.
- Supporting the ministerial team on high-profile policy areas, and contributing to the smooth and efficient running of the ministerial Private Office, delivering the highest quality support.
- Working across the Private Office Group, the NIO and wider Whitehall in a leadership role and representing your Principals’ views with credibility.
- Providing strategic advice and join up on the preparation of policy advice from across the Department.
- Supporting ministerial visits in Northern Ireland and overseas as required.
- Leading on a key PO function.
- Line management of one Assistant Private Secretary.
Essential Criteria:
- A proactive, can-do attitude, with an ability to review processes, think strategically and creatively to implement solutions independently;
- Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, and work effectively across a range of tasks under pressure;
- Exceptional interpersonal and management skills with the ability to understand different perspectives and exercise excellent judgement;
- A strong ability to influence at all levels, including with Senior Officials/ stakeholders, and to work collaboratively to resolve difficult issues;
- Proven experience of working effectively with Ministers and/or equivalent senior officials/ stakeholders.
Desirable Criteria:
- An understanding of propriety and ethics and the ability to maintain appropriate standards in line with the Civil Service, Ministerial, and Special Advisers’ Code.
- An understanding of the Northern Ireland political system and of the work of the Northern Ireland Executive.
SELECTION PROCESS:
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. This link will explain how to answer the questions using the STAR method. Please look at the success profiles for SEO level.
The selection and interview process will consist of two stages:
SIFT
We’ll assess you against the following Success Profile behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and influencing (LEAD BEHAVIOUR)
- Delivering at pace
- Seeing the big picture
Making effective decisions
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Applications will be sifted on one behaviour example (Communicating and Influencing) of 250 words and a statement of suitability (of no more than 500 words).
Please use your statement of suitability to (in no more than 500 words) outline how you meet the essential criteria required for the role as set out in the job advert, as well as to demonstrate what skills you will bring to the role and why it interests you. Desirable criteria will be used as a tie breaker if t is a large number of applications.
INTERVIEW
The next stage will be an interview based on behaviours and strengths.
The behaviours being assessed at interview would be:
- Communicating and influencing (lead behaviour)
- Seeing the big picture
- Making effective decisions
- Delivering at pace
Strengths
It is difficult to prepare for strength type questions. However, you can think through your answers, focus on your achievements and aspects you enjoy and decide how these can be applied in the organisation and role. While strengths questions are shorter and we do not expect a full STAR response, the panel is interested in your first reaction to the question and information or reasoning to support this.
If you do not have work-based examples then please give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in.
More information on behaviours and success profiles can be found .
Please note that in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run the initial sift on the lead Behaviour Communicating and Influencing.
Your interview will either be conducted in person or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview. Interview slots will be released to candidates who are successful at sift.
If successful at interview, you may be invited for a fireside chat with the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State.
Security Clearance:
This role requires National Security Vetting given the access to sensitive information afforded by the job role. You can find more information by reviewing the information held in the following links:
United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The vetting charter - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
In addition, t is a minimum UK residency requirement set by the Cabinet Office which is dependent on the security level required for the role.
This role requires SC and to be eligible to apply for this role you should have been present in the UK continuously for the past 5 years
Artificial Intelligence:
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements
provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. W plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Further Information:
Further information about the post may be obtained from Beth Lynas via email to [email protected]
All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.
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 the sift stage. Feedback is available on request if unsuccessful following the interview.
Complaints:
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/
Reserve Lists:
In the event that the advertised post following interview, identifies more appointable applicants than available posts, we may 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.
Additional Information
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The NIO offers Hybrid Working arrangements w business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different NIO sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
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.
Flexible working hours
The NIO offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. NIO welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, w they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the NIO’s Flexible Working policy.
Benefits:
- 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
- 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after five years service.
- Public Holidays
- Season Ticket Advance
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. T 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
As a Disability Confident employer, we 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. We are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
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.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wver it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
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 w the application form can be found.
Home Civil Service applicants who, because of disability, need assistance in completing the application form should contact MoJ Shared Services on 0845 010 3512.
All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.
Start Dates:
We would expect the successful candidate to start as soon as possible. This will be discussed further should you be successful.
Interview Date:
Date(s) TBC
Closing Date:
23:59 on Sunday 30th September 2026
