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- Tasks: Support Senior Civil Servants with proactive communication and administrative tasks.
- Company: Join the Government Digital Service, leading digital transformation in the UK.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience in a dynamic government environment with career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national digital challenges while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Exceptional communication skills and a proactive, detail-oriented mindset.
- Other info: Collaborate with talented professionals and contribute to meaningful projects.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 45000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Assistant Private Secretary role at Government Digital Service. This role is available in our London location. The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government.
Our priorities are to drive a modern digital government by:
- joining up public sector services
- harnessing the power of AI for the public good
- strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
- elevating leadership and investing in talent
- funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
- committing to transparency and driving accountability
GDS leads the Government Digital and Data function and champions the work of digital teams across government. We are home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), the world-leading GOV.UK, and at the forefront of coordinating the UK’s geospatial strategy and activity. We are part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in London, Manchester, and Bristol.
Within GDS, you will join the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), a directorate comprising 85 staff and aiming to grow to 140 staff by the end of financial year 2025/26. The directorate has recently overseen a number of key departmental priorities, ranging from delivering the State of Digital Government Review, to the AI Playbook, to strengthening how Government does digital procurement, and protecting public sector website domains, amongst other priorities.
We are recruiting for two Assistant Private Secretaries, each of whom will support 2-3 Senior Civil Servants. Both roles will be line-managed by the current G7 Head of Office. Through being part of a close-knit team, you will also gain exposure to the wider work of the directorate, including workstreams you may be particularly interested in.
The Assistant Private Secretary role is a challenging one with a high level of exposure and responsibility. You will provide proactive, timely and accurate support to both of your Senior Civil Servants by:
- supporting the Head of Office in integrating the directorate within wider GDS, including building links with wider Private Offices
- building and maintaining strong, proactive, and supportive relationships with teams
- working with the directorate’s leadership team to understand and progress priorities, both directly and through others
- commissioning, researching, and providing high quality briefing and advice
- accompanying your Senior Civil Servants to meetings, visits, and following up on actions where required
- identifying and brokering solutions to issues raised with your Senior Civil Servants, pre-empting where possible
- developing the directorate’s culture through organising all-staff events, ensuring alignment with GDS and DSIT communications, and driving wider engagement initiatives
- proactively managing the inboxes and diaries of both Senior Civil Servants
- supporting the Policy & Governance team by assisting with Parliamentary Questions, FOI responses, papers for key forums, and other similar requests
- providing secretarial and administrative support, including arranging travel, logistics, and other ad hoc duties.
We look forward to receiving an application from you if:
- you have exceptional, proactive communication skills
- you take the initiative and work things out independently, drawing on support when needed
- you’re forward-thinking, proactive, and highly dependable
- you’re great at building and maintaining strong relationships across teams
- you’re open and eager to learn – you seek out opportunities to grow
- you’re very detail-oriented and highly organised
- you’re highly resilient, able to manage and deliver competing demands at pace and in a pressured environment
- when needed, you’re willing to go beyond your remit to help problem solve for the directorate
- you’re able to see the big picture and link your responsibilities to the overall goals of the directorate.
DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
Seniority level: Associate
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Administrative
Industries: Government Administration
Assistant Private Secretary employer: Government Digital Service
Contact Detail:
Government Digital Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Private Secretary
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the Government Digital Service. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching GDS's recent projects and priorities. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about making a difference in digital government.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As an Assistant Private Secretary, you'll need to be clear and concise. Try mock interviews with friends or use online resources to sharpen your responses.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the GDS team.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Private Secretary
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Assistant Private Secretary role. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission at GDS!
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since this role requires exceptional communication, don’t hold back! Use clear and concise language in your application to demonstrate your proactive communication style. Let us see your personality shine through!
Highlight Your Organisational Skills: Being detail-oriented and organised is key for this position. Share examples of how you've successfully managed competing demands or complex tasks in the past. We love to see how you handle pressure!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at GDS!
How to prepare for a job interview at Government Digital Service
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of an Assistant Private Secretary. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks mentioned in the job description, such as supporting Senior Civil Servants and managing their diaries. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As communication is crucial for this position, prepare examples that highlight your exceptional communication skills. Think of situations where you've successfully built relationships or resolved conflicts. Be ready to discuss how you can apply these skills to support the leadership team at GDS.
✨Demonstrate Proactivity and Initiative
The role requires a proactive approach, so come prepared with examples of how you've taken the initiative in previous roles. Whether it’s identifying solutions to problems or streamlining processes, showing that you can think ahead and act independently will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your ability to handle competing demands and work under pressure. Practice answering questions like, 'How would you prioritise tasks if both Senior Civil Servants needed your assistance at the same time?' This will help you articulate your thought process and decision-making skills effectively.