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- Tasks: Manage the diary of a Parliamentary Under Secretary and coordinate logistics for visits.
- Company: Join the Northern Ireland Office, a dynamic team at the heart of government.
- Benefits: Competitive salary starting at £42,859, with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Gain unique insights into government operations and work closely with Ministers.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and a positive, adaptable attitude are essential.
- Other info: Exciting role with varied responsibilities in a supportive team environment.
The predicted salary is between 42859 - 51431 £ per year.
Business Area: Private Office
Role Title: Diary Secretary and Assistant Private Secretary to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Terms of Appointment: 18 Months (FTC or Loan)
Grade: HEO
Location: 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ
Occasional travel between Belfast and London will be required.
Vacancy Manager: Beth Lynas
Applications Invited From: Existing Civil Servants on Level transfer or promotion, and external applications. New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join on the minimum of the pay range. Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department's pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules. The London starting salary is £42,859. Your salary will be dependent on your base location.
BACKGROUND
The Northern Ireland Office supports the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in promoting the best interests of Northern Ireland. We make sure 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.
The Northern Ireland Office employs around 170 staff, with offices in Belfast and London. As a small Department, we adopt a flexible project‐based approach to ensure that we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place to support the delivery of our key objectives. Due to our structure and size, we are able to offer extensive exposure to Ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of policy and responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department. This creates an interesting and stimulating work environment.
Our key priorities are set out in our Operational Delivery plan and 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
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 with a positive, can‐do attitude who is ready to get stuck in to support the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (PUSS). This is a role that is stretching and will give you a high level of exposure to the inner workings of a Ministerial Private Office.
As the PUSS' dedicated Diary Secretary, you will have overall responsibility for their diary management. You will be working across the wider team to coordinate their diary, manage invitations, and organise all logistics for visits. As an Assistant Private Secretary in the Office, you will support the Private Office with the production of the PUSS' daily pack, and take a lead on portfolio areas for the PUSS including Security and Protection, Ceremonial, Governance and External Affairs. You will also support the Correspondence Manager with the correspondence process for the PUSS, including proactively managing incoming and outgoing correspondence for the Department. If needed, you will also provide additional PS and diary support to the NIO's Lords Spokesperson during busy periods.
This is a role that will be 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 two private secretaries and wider colleagues in the Secretary of State's Private Office, all of whom are working together to deliver the best possible service to Ministers and the Department.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead on the diary of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, with overall responsibility for all logistics and invites.
- Work with the Private Office to coordinate the Minister's daily briefing pack, and to submit advice to the box.
- Work with the Correspondence Manager to track and manage the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State's Correspondence.
- Lead on External Affairs, by working with the Visits and Comms teams to plan and commission strategic visits for PUSS. Lead on organising travel and join the rota for taking part in Ministerial visits with the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State.
- Lead on the Security and Protection portfolio for the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, working with the team and security partners to manage all security signing slots and firearms appeals.
- Lead on the Ceremonial aspects of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State's role.
- Lead on Governance for the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State.
- Lead on office management for the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State.
- Provide additional diary and PS support to the NIO Lord's Spokesperson as required, including making travel arrangements.
13838 - Diary Secretary and Assistant Private Secretary in Westminster employer: Ministry of Justice
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 13838 - Diary Secretary and Assistant Private Secretary in Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your desired field, especially those who work in similar roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and role thoroughly. Understand their values and how you can contribute. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s your turn.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace 13838 - Diary Secretary and Assistant Private Secretary in Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Diary Secretary and Assistant Private Secretary. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Organisational Skills: Since this role is all about managing diaries and logistics, be sure to provide examples of how you've successfully organised events or managed schedules in the past. We want to see your ability to juggle multiple tasks!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for the position. We appreciate clarity and directness in communication.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that your application gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all candidates efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Diary Secretary and Assistant Private Secretary. Familiarise yourself with diary management, correspondence processes, and the specific duties mentioned in the job description. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Since this role requires strong organisational abilities, prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks or projects. Be ready to discuss how you prioritised your workload and adapted to changing circumstances, as flexibility is key in this position.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Effective communication is crucial for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently during the interview. You might be asked about how you would handle specific scenarios, so think about how you can convey your ideas succinctly while showcasing your problem-solving skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
This position involves working closely with a team, so be prepared to discuss your experience collaborating with others. Share examples of how you've contributed to a team environment and supported colleagues in achieving common goals. Highlighting your positive attitude and willingness to help will resonate well with the interviewers.