At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage the Secretary of State's diary and coordinate logistics for visits.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at the Northern Ireland Office in London.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, 25 days annual leave, and a Civil Service pension.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Gain direct exposure to senior decision-makers and impactful policy work.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.
General Information
- Salary: £40,014 - £42,859
- Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
- Location: London
- Closing Date: 07-Jul-2026
- Post Type: Fixed Term, Loan
- Civil Service Grade: HEO
- Number of jobs available: 1
- Reserve List: 12 Months
- Job ID: 19132
ABOUT THE ROLE:
This is an exciting, varied role at the very heart of the Northern Ireland Office. You will join a friendly, high achieving Private Office team, where no two days are the same. We are looking for someone who is positive, hard-working, and enthusiastic about working in a fast-paced, demanding environment. This is a stretching role and will give you direct exposure to senior decision-makers and the inner workings of a ministerial Private Office.
As Assistant Private Secretary and Diary Secretary to the Secretary of State, you will have overall responsibility for their diary management. You will work with the Department’s senior leadership and across Whitehall to coordinate the Secretary of State’s diary, manage invitations, and organise all logistics for visits. You will also take on leadership for a key Private Office function, such as write rounds, and the potential for ownership of a policy portfolio.
This is a role where expectations and stakes are uniquely high for this job grade, and is therefore 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 the close-knit Private Office team and wider colleagues, all of whom are working together to deliver the best possible service to Ministers and the Department.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The main responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:
- Managing the Secretary of State’s diary, with overall responsibility for all logistics and invites.
- Driving forward the Secretary of State’s policy agenda, ensuring that their steers are actioned in a clear and timely way.
- Ensuring compliance with transparency obligations.
- Office and estates management.
- Leading on a key Private Office function, such as write rounds.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
The post holder will need to demonstrate the following in their application and at interview:
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to work effectively across a range of tasks.
- The ability to manage competing demands and priorities, remaining calm under pressure.
- An excellent work ethic and positivity, with a can-do, problem-solving mentality.
- The ability to build strong relationships with a range of stakeholders internal and external to Government, including Senior Civil Servants and colleagues in other departments.
- Confidence working with senior stakeholders, including delivering difficult and complex messages.
DESIRABLE CRITERIA:
- An understanding of the Northern Ireland political system and the work of the Northern Ireland Executive would be advantageous, but is not essential.
- Previous experience in Private Office and/or diary management.
BEHAVIOURS:
We will assess you against the following Success Profiles behaviours at the HEO level during the application sift and interview process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
EXPERIENCE:
Please provide a CV and statement of suitability no longer than 500 words outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria. Your statement of suitability needs to set out evidence of how your experience meets the requirements set out above.
INTERVIEW:
You will be assessed against the same behaviours at the interview stage and will be asked to provide examples of how you have demonstrated the behaviours.
OFFER:
Once all interviews have been completed, you will be notified of the outcome by email. Offers will be made in strict merit order to the highest scoring candidate first.
SECURITY CLEARANCE:
This role requires National Security Vetting given the access to sensitive information afforded by the job role.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The NIO 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 NIO sites and / or from home.
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
Assistant Private Secretary & Diary Lead employer: Ministry of Justice
The Northern Ireland Office is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment in the heart of London. With a strong commitment to employee development, flexible working arrangements, and a culture that values diversity and inclusion, staff have the opportunity to engage directly with senior decision-makers while contributing to meaningful policy initiatives. Employees benefit from generous leave entitlements, a Civil Service pension, and access to various employee networks, making it a rewarding place to build a career.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
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