43619 - Political Affairs Support Officer

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

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.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a very important area of the UK Government. As a successful candidate, you will be joining a Division of 15 and will work under the supervision of a Band C/Staff Officer. The Political Affairs Support Officer provides support across the Political Affairs Group in a range of duties to a high standard in a fast moving environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The post holder will routinely support senior colleagues by assisting in the provision of Ministerial advice, coordinating responses, acting as Group financial coordinator, assisting with events, and  overseeing the general running of the office. This is a challenging and diverse role which offers substantial scope for learning and self-development. The post requires flexibility, proactivity, and a willingness and interest to learn new areas of work. Excellent communication skills are also an essential requirement.

Duties of the post will include but are not limited to the following areas of work:

Finance coordinator for Political Affairs Group including budget support, monthly returns and POC for finance queries and liaison with the Finance Team.

POC for Account NI processing and issues.

Support with event organisation for British-Irish Secretariat receptions liaising with external delivery partners and Irish counterparts.

Administration of a significant grant funding programme, including drafting and managing Grant Agreements, verification of spending and processing transactions, tracking spend across projects and monitoring reporting requirements across projects.

Social media and press monitoring on issues of relevance to policy areas.

Develop and maintain the Corporate File Plan and act as Local Information Manager for the Group.

Intranet Editor for Political Affairs group, maintaining and updating information on the Intranet.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

Excellent written and oral communication skills, ability to communicate

effectively at all grades.

Demonstrates effective budget management and scrutiny of expenditure.

Demonstrates the ability to work in a busy office environment, meet tight

deadlines and get the job done.

Demonstrates strong planning and organisational skills.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

Experience of supporting at events.

Driving licence and access to a vehicle.

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

BEHAVIOURS:

We will assess you against the following Success Profile behaviours at Level 2 (Executive Officer or equivalent) during the selection process.

Working Together.

Delivering at Pace.

Managing a Quality Service.

Changing and Improving.

More information on behaviours and success profiles can be found here.

The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of behaviours, experience and strength-based questions.  The strength-based questions will require natural responses from the candidates; responses that should be rapid, allowing the interviewer to hear a candidate’s first, unrehearsed and natural response, no longer than 2 minutes per question.

Please note that in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run the initial sift on the lead Behaviour “Managing a Quality Service”.

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.

FURTHER INFORMATION Further information about the post may be obtained from Victoria McMullan on telephone number 028 9052 3529 or e-mail to victoria.mcmullan@nio.gov.uk.

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.

Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered.  Failure to provide sufficient information in support of an application prior to the closing date will not be considered as grounds for an appeal if an applicant is not shortlisted for interview.

Home Civil Service applicants who, because of disability, need assistance in completing the application form should contact MoJ Shared Services on 0845 010 3512.

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

This job description should not be taken as constituting conditions of employment.

Please note that due to the high interest in NIO opportunities, feedback cannot be given if you are unsuccessful at sift stage. Feedback is available on request if unsuccessful following interview.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Further information about us

We are a small and friendly department of approximately 175 staff.  Due to our size we are able to offer staff more exposure to ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department.  This creates an interesting, though often challenging, work environment.

Other Benefits

The NIO offers a pleasant, modern work environment which allows consideration of a range of flexible working arrangements which support a good work/ life balance. These include flexible/ alternative working patterns, part-time and job-share options.

Benefits include:

                interest-free season ticket and bicycle loans

                Reward & Recognition scheme

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

The Northern Ireland Office operates the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, details of which are attached to the application form for this post.

In the event that we identify more appointable candidates than we currently have posts available, we will hold applicant details on a reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. This may include roles at a lower grade. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com to be removed from the reserve list.

Further information on civil service careers can be found at  www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles.

Please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk) in the first instance.

If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages:

http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/

https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com Please quote the job reference - 43619.