Northern Ireland Office in Belfast

Across various NIO Business Areas, we will use this competition to place individuals in roles in Corporate Operations Group, Security & Protection Group & Fiscal, Economy & Trade. In addition, a reserve list will be created which may be used for future Grade 6 roles which occur over the next 12 months across all NIO business areas.

Terms of Appointment: Permanent Grade 6

Location: Northern Ireland or London (Erskine House, 20-32 Chichester St, Belfast BT1 4GF or 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ). Occasional travel between Belfast and London will be required.

The Northern Ireland Office supports the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in promoting the best interests of Northern Ireland. We ensure that Northern Ireland 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.

Our key priorities include:

• Supporting greater inclusion, tolerance and openness in Northern Ireland
• Contributing to a safer Northern Ireland, where 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

The NIO has a number of vacancies it is looking to fill at Grade 6 level including:

• Legacy Implementation & Sponsorship
• Deputy Head of Fiscal, Economy & Trade
• Head of National Security Policy and Strategy

These roles require you to support a range of business priorities, engaging with various internal and external stakeholders, including officials across Whitehall and a variety of Northern Ireland based stakeholders. The successful candidates will need to deliver effectively in a fast-paced and demanding area while also driving forward the wider departmental strategy.

You will be responsible for leading a team of mixed grades, including direct line management of Grade 7s, with a key focus on building team capability and culture, and supporting the Deputy Director in managing team resources. We are looking for a proven, effective, and inclusive leader who is passionate about the work of the NIO.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership and Policy Delivery: Provide effective leadership of the policy team, taking a strategic approach to policy commitments and implementation to deliver the NIO's departmental aims and the Secretary of State's priorities.
• Ministerial Support and Advice: Ensure the team provides a first-class service to Ministers, enabling collaboration and the provision of accurate, timely advice.
• Corporate Leadership and Culture: Play an active role as a grade 6 in terms of role modelling leadership and management behaviours, championing diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing across the department.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership: Build strong partnerships with key stakeholders, including other Whitehall and NI departments, and credibly represent the views of Ministers and senior officials.
• Team Management and Development: Develop and maintain a high-performing and busy team, focusing on the management and development of staff to ensure everyone reaches their full potential.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work with a range of stakeholders to progress government priorities, including leading strategic projects.

Essential Criteria:

• Excellent leadership skills with experience of delivering challenging objectives under intense scrutiny whilst managing your own and team's resilience/wellbeing.
• Excellent judgement and analytical skills, the ability to make evidence-based recommendations and decisions.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills to influence a wide variety of stakeholders at different levels.
• The ability to present and communicate complex information and recommendations to senior decision makers in a clearly and impactful manner.
• Strong partnering and collaborating skills, and the ability to build strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Desirable Criteria:

• Understanding of the political and security environment in Northern Ireland.
• Experience working on legislation, policy, projects or programmes in Northern Ireland or Whitehall.
• Existing security clearance (Some roles will require Developed Vetting clearance).

Behaviours: We will assess you against the following Success Profiles behaviours at the Grade 6 level during the application sift: Leadership, Making Effective Decisions.

Experience: Please provide a CV or work history and statement of suitability no longer than 1000 words outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Security Clearance: This role requires National Security Vetting given the access to sensitive information afforded by the job role.

Further Information: Further information about the post may be obtained from Clare Sloan via email.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.