Private Secretary to the Prime Minister

Location:

10 Downing Street, London, SW1A 2AA.

Working Pattern:

Full Time

Contract Type:

This role is being offered on a fixed term appointment, loan or secondment basis.

The anticipated assignment duration is 2 years.

Job Summary:

The
Prime Minister\’s Office
is a business unit of the Cabinet Office, which supports the Prime Minister and ensures the smooth running of government – from developing policy, to modernising public services.

The Prime Minister\’s Office enables the Prime Minister to deliver the Government\’s overall priorities and to communicate those priorities to Parliament, the public and international audiences. From the Policy Unit, Press Office, Switchboard and Custodians, to the Events & Visits team and the Private Office support; the diverse Downing Street team draws on varied expertise from across the Civil Service and beyond. The teams come together to deliver an excellent service to the Prime Minister while also making No10 a great place to work.

Job Description:

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of government as Private Secretary to the Prime Minister. The post holder covers public services for the PM. This involves leading in support of the Prime Minister on issues relating to MHCLG, DfE, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Cabinet Office and Equalities.

The role will advise the PM and his top team on a broad range of issues, facilitate between Downing Street and Departments, and communicate priorities. There is a large leadership role to play across No10, being an active SCS supporting the Principal Private Secretary and Deputy Principal Private Secretary in management of the House on corporate issues.

The successful candidate will have expertise and experience in the related areas the role covers. They should be able to demonstrate strong and concise communication skills, and be able to prioritise (leading on multiple issues concurrently). They will be a respected leader, working collegiately and collaboratively with all.

This role will have a Private Office Allowance attached to it to reflect the sometimes long and unsociable hours.

Key Responsibilities will include:

• Working with the Downing Street Policy Unit, Cabinet Office, Departments and others to develop and deliver policy — underpinning them with evidence, probing and identifying the reputational, implementation and financial risks, resolving differences, and negotiating solutions.
• Reacting flexibly to the changing environment, working cohesively with teams to drive forward domestic priorities. As a senior leader in No10 you will take a leading role in driving positive and constructive organisational change and culture.
• Ensuring that policy is presented in a compelling and persuasive manner and that policy and delivery is integrated into the wider Government agenda.
• Arranging and preparing meetings and announcements, including briefing the Prime Minister and recording outcomes.
• Working flexibly as pressures require and acting as a link between Private Offices across Whitehall to identify, coordinate and successfully resolve emerging issues.
• Management – you will have line management responsibilities.

Person Specification:

It is important, that through your CV and supporting statement that you provide evidence of the following
Essential Criteria:

• Personal effectiveness and credibility to work at a senior level across Whitehall, giving advice to the Prime Minister and a clear lead to Whitehall.
• The ability to work at pace in a complex cross-departmental environment, driving progress in the face of a range of different views and priorities.
• Inclusive leadership skills and the ability to motivate and manage a diverse team. A proven track record of recently working closely with senior stakeholders, and the ability to get to the heart of political priorities and translate them into policy development.
• Policy and evaluation skills to question and provide fresh ideas across a broad range of policy and in response to events.
• Highly developed communication, networking and negotiation skills.
• Personal resilience and able to manage multiple priorities in pressurised situations.
• Demonstrated expertise in at least two of the policy areas outlined in the job description e.g. issues relating to MHCLG, DfE, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Cabinet Office and Equalities.
• Proven ability to manage a broad and complex portfolio of issues, balancing competing priorities and interests effectively.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience working within or in close collaboration with the relevant government departments e.g. MHCLG, DfE, Cabinet Office and devolved governments.