About the job

Summary

Please refer to Job Description

Job description

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Who we are

Inclusion and diversity

The Northern Ireland Office is committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, as they are under-represented within the NIO at this level.

The Northern Ireland Office strives to be an inclusive employer and is recognised by its staff and externally as being an employer where Diversity and Inclusion are valued.

We hold a Diversity & Inclusion Charter Mark and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader organisation.

In March 2018 we won the award for Best Employer for Diversity & Equality in Northern Ireland (small employer category) in a Gala Award ceremony hosted by Legal-Island, a multi-award winning workplace compliance company based in Northern Ireland.

We have an active D&I network supporting colleagues through D&I Advocates, championed by our Directors.

We want all our people to feel valued for who they are and we are confident that you will find the NIO a warm, welcoming and inclusive place to work.

What we do

Background

The Northern Ireland Office represents Northern Ireland interests at a UK Government level and UK Government interests in Northern Ireland. We have a wide range of responsibilities, including: underpinning political stability in Northern Ireland; overseeing the Northern Ireland devolution settlement; leading on national security policy in Northern Ireland; addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past; delivering elections and constitutional reform in Northern Ireland; playing a key role in rebalancing the NI economy; representing NI interests, including on the border with Ireland, as the UK exits the EU. Our small size and diverse portfolio create a stimulating, fast-paced and challenging working environment, with regular engagement with a range of Ministers and senior officials. We support flexible working and have a modern, flexible IT system which helps enable this.

The Private Office of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is responsible for supporting the Secretary of State in his ministerial responsibilities and acts as a bridge between Ministers and officials. The NIO Private Office is a fast-paced and high-profile environment where no two days are the same.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

This is an exciting, fast-paced role at the very heart of the Northern Ireland Office. The Diary Manager is a vital member of the Private Office team and the successful candidate will work closely with the Secretary of State, Ministers, Special Advisers, senior officials and security partners.

We are looking for an exceptional candidate to add to our team at a critical time for the NIO. This role requires a high degree of flexibility, discretion and self-sufficiency as diary and travel arrangements may be changed at very short notice. The Secretary of State’s diary must be meticulously maintained, as he has many competing demands upon his time.

The main duties of this role include, but are not limited to:

• Oversight and execution of the Secretary of State’s diary; setting up and facilitating meetings; planning for and autonomous running of diary meetings;

• Coordinating effectively across NIO Ministerial Offices, ensuring there is join-up and productive ways of working;

• Handling and advising on a significant volume of invitations; working with NIO teams to secure quality advice;

• Arranging travel; communicating and working with partners in Belfast and internationally to support the Secretary of State on his regular visits;

• Building strong working relationships with the Secretary of State, Special Advisors, Private Office and officials across the Northern Ireland Office, as well as across the UK and devolved governments.

Further information about the post may be obtained from the hiring manager, Caitriona Sheil, and interested candidates are encouraged to get in touch: caitriona.sheil@nio.gov.uk, 07866058529.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

The ideal candidate will have :

• excellent organisational skills to balance competing demands and priorities, maintain a high standard of performance and remain calm and resilient under pressure;

• strong interpersonal skills to build a good working relationship with the Secretary of State, Special Advisors, Private Office and a range of internal, external and cross-Government stakeholders;

• the ability to engage confidently and communicate effectively with broad spectrum of stakeholders, adapting your approach as necessary, understanding that you may encounter diverse opinions or perspectives;

• confidence in handling a range of information, making autonomous, informed decisions to make the best use of the Secretary of State’s time.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• An understanding of the Northern Ireland political system and an understanding of the work of the Northern Ireland Executive would be advantageous, but is not essential.

For the essential and desirable criteria please upload a suitability statement of no more than 250 words setting out how you meet the essential/desirable criteria

Selection Process:

We will assess you against the following Success Profiles Behaviours at Level 3 during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace (Lead Behaviour)

• Communicating and Influencing

• Working Together

• Making Effective Decisions

More information on Behaviours and Success Profiles can be found here.

The selection and interview process will consist of two stages:

Sift

You will assessed on:

• Delivering at Pace (Lead Behaviour)

• Communicating and Influencing

• Working Together

• Making Effective Decisions

Please note that in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run an initial sift on the suitability statement and lead Behaviour “Delivering at Pace” only.

Interview

The interview will be conducted remotely and will be of a blended nature consisting of behaviours and strengths, utilising the following success profiles behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace (Lead Competence)

• Communicating and Influencing

• Working Together

• Making Effective Decisions

Candidates who pass the mark at interview may be invited to a fireside chat with the Secretary of State.

SECURITY CLEARANCE

Security clearance to SC level will be required for this post.

ELIGIBILITY SIFT

An eligibility sift will be carried out on the basis of the information contained in the application form. It is therefore important that all applicants demonstrate in their application how and to what extent their behaviours are relevant to the above criteria. Those candidates who do not clearly demonstrate that they meet the experience and behaviours will not be invited to interview.

PAY AND ALLOWANCES

The successful candidate will adopt the terms and conditions of the NIO for the length of their appointment.

Neither Detached Duty terms nor relocation costs will apply to this post.

Private Office Allowance of £4,739 per annum

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the post may be obtained from the hiring manager, Caitriona Sheil, and interested candidates are encouraged to get in touch: caitriona.sheil@nio.gov.uk, 07866058529.

APPLICATIONS

You can apply for this post through the Civil Service website at: civilservice.gov.uk. Once logged onto the site go to the civil service jobs page and then search for jobs in the Northern Ireland Office where the application form can be found.