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- Tasks: Support the HMCIPS team with administrative tasks and communication.
- Company: Join HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, ensuring justice and fairness in prison conditions.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, a supportive environment, and various employee perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on prison conditions while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Strong IT skills and previous PA experience are essential.
- Other info: Applications close on 13 August 2025; apply now to be part of meaningful change.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Are you a motivated, organised individual, with strong IT skills?
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland (HMCIPS) is currently supported by a Deputy, a Thematic Lead Inspector, an Inspector of Prisons, an Inspector of Court Custody Units, four Regional Prison Monitoring Co-ordinators, a Head of Business Management/Inspector, a Senior Researcher, a Scottish NPM Co-ordinator, a Business and Inspection Co-ordinator, this post, an Independent Prison Monitoring Support Officer and an Administrative Assistant. There are also around 100 Independent Prison Monitors (IPMs) nationally, who are volunteers from the local community.
As PA/Business Support Officer you will play a crucial role working across the team to support the HMCIPS with key business tasks which include liaising with key partners, relevant Scottish Government colleagues, external organisations and HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS) colleagues as appropriate along with providing business support to the wider HMIPS team.
Responsibilities
- Support HMCIPS by managing mailboxes and calendars, coordinating meetings and public engagements, drafting responses to straightforward correspondence, and making travel arrangements.
- Quality check inspection and thematic reports to be sent out under the signature of HMCIPS or in the name of HMIPS ensuring a high standard of accuracy and professionalism.
- Provide administrative support to internal meetings as required.
- Prepare an induction pack for new members of staff.
- Be a member of the pre-inspection survey team issuing and collecting the surveys and inputting the results.
- Support the Head of Business Management and the wider HMIPS team with other ad hoc tasks.
- Raise and receipt purchase orders for the team via the Scottish Government finance system.
Success Profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.
Professional Skills
- Good IT skills with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Experience
Experience of working as a PA.
Behaviours
- Delivering at pace – Level 1.
- Seeing the bigger picture – Level 1.
- Communicating and influencing – Level 1.
- Working together – Level 1.
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here
How To Apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words ) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and a job related simulation exercise.
Stage One – Application Sift
Candidates Will Have Their Applications Assessed Against All Success Profile Criteria Listed Above Unless There Is a Large Number Of Applications, In Which Case, The Following Process Will Apply
An initial sift will be conducted using the CV and supporting statement on the Experience of working as a PA (Experience) and Communicating and influencing (Behaviour) as listed above. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed against the rest of the Behaviours criteria.
Stage Two – Interview and Job Related Simulation Exercise
If successful at application sift, you will be invited to an assessment and interview where we will test all criteria listed above. All the Behaviours outlined in the Success Profile will be assessed at this stage.
Assessments are scheduled for w/c 1 September 2025 however this may be subject to change.
About Us
His Majesty\’s Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS) is an independent body responsible for the inspection and monitoring of Scotland\’s 17 prisons, in order to establish the treatment of and the conditions for prisoners and to report publicly on the findings, and the inspection of the conditions in which prisoners are transported or held in pursuance of prisoner escort arrangements.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Working Pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Equality Statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further information
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
Apply before: 13 August 2025 (23:59) #J-18808-Ljbffr
PA/Business Support Officer employer: THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Contact Detail:
THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land PA/Business Support Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities of the PA/Business Support Officer role. Understanding tasks like managing mailboxes, coordinating meetings, and quality checking reports will help you demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your IT skills, especially in Microsoft Office. Being able to showcase your proficiency in these tools can set you apart, as they are crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated and influenced others in previous roles. This will be vital for the interview, as these behaviours are key criteria for assessment.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of HMIPS if possible. They can provide insights into the organisational culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when tailoring your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace PA/Business Support Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure your supporting statement directly addresses the skills, experience, and behaviours outlined in the Success Profile. Use specific examples from your past work as a PA to demonstrate how you meet these criteria.
Highlight IT Skills: Since strong IT skills are essential for this role, emphasise your proficiency with Microsoft Office and any other relevant software. Mention specific tasks you've accomplished using these tools to showcase your capabilities.
Showcase Communication Skills: As communication and influencing are key behaviours for this position, provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with colleagues or stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight any experiences where you successfully coordinated meetings or drafted correspondence.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your CV and supporting statement, thoroughly proofread your documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects professionalism and attention to detail, which is crucial for the PA/Business Support Officer role.
How to prepare for a job interview at THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
✨Showcase Your IT Skills
As a PA/Business Support Officer, strong IT skills are essential. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Microsoft Office and any other relevant software. Consider bringing examples of how you've used these tools to improve efficiency in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Abilities
This role requires excellent organisational skills. During the interview, share specific examples of how you've managed multiple tasks or projects simultaneously. Highlight any systems or methods you use to stay organised and ensure deadlines are met.
✨Communicate Effectively
Communication is key in this position. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully liaised with various stakeholders in the past. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, as this will be assessed during the interview.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that assess the behaviours outlined in the Success Profile. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. Think of examples that demonstrate your ability to deliver at pace, see the bigger picture, and work collaboratively.
