Northern Ireland Office in Lisburn

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.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide effective leadership of the policy team, taking a strategic approach to policy commitments and implementation.
• Ensure the team provides a first-class service to Ministers, enabling collaboration and the provision of accurate, timely advice.
• Play an active role in championing diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing across the department.
• Build strong partnerships with key stakeholders, including other Whitehall and NI departments.
• Develop and maintain a high-performing team, focusing on the management and development of staff.
• Work with a range of stakeholders to progress government priorities.

Essential Criteria:

• Excellent leadership skills with experience of delivering challenging objectives.
• Excellent judgement and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Strong partnering and collaborating skills.

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.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit. Offers will be made in strict merit order to the highest scoring candidate first. The successful candidate will be notified of a start date following successful security checks.

Working Arrangements: The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.

Benefits include:

• Annual Leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years service.
• Pension: A choice of pension schemes.
• Training: Extensive range of training and development opportunities.