27679 - Elections Policy Officer

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; and representing NI interests, including around the Irish border, 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.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The post holder will work directly to the Band A. This is a policy role requiring good judgement, an understanding of legislation, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to prioritise competing tasks. 

Main duties include but are not limited to:

• Providing advice on elections policy including advice on changes to GB elections policy and how it might apply to NI;
• Advice on wider electoral reform in NI including the possibility of further reform on political donations;
• The postholder will be expected to liaise with, and be trusted by, department officials at all levels in addition to external stakeholders; and
• The post requires working to tight schedules in delivering programme goals.

Essential Criteria:

• The ability to develop and maintain effective, collaborative relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, including across government and to use communication skills to achieve results.
• Making effective decisions, with the ability to analyse information to deliver policy development and implementation.
• Ability to work on competing and / or changing priorities.

Desirable Criteria:

• Knowledge of electoral law.
• Understanding and experience of the legislative process.

[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:

The personal competencies required are consistent with the behaviour framework for Band C. For this post the candidate will be expected to demonstrate the following key competencies:

Delivering at Pace

• Take responsibility for delivering expected outcomes on time and to standard, giving credit to teams and individuals as appropriate.
• Plan ahead but reassess workloads and priorities if situations change or people are facing conflicting demands.
• Regularly monitor own and team’s work against milestones or targets and act promptly to keep work on track and maintain performance.

Working Together

• Establish relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of business outcomes.
• Encourage collaborative team working within own team and across the Department.
• Actively see input from a diverse range of people.

Seeing the Big Picture

• Be alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit own and team’s work.
• Ensure own area/team activities are aligned to Departmental priorities.
• Develop an understanding of own area’s strategy and how this contributes to Departmental priorities.

Communicating and Influencing

• Communicate in a succinct, engaging manner and stand ground when needed.
• Communicate using appropriate styles, methods and timing, including digital channels, to maximise understanding and impact.
• Convey enthusiasm and energy about their work and encourage others to do the same.

Making Effective Decisions

• Recognise patterns and trends in a wide range of evidence/data and draw key conclusions.
• Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making to help build engagement and present robust recommendations.

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

The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of behaviours and experience

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 no relocation costs will apply to this post.

Further Information

Further information about the post may be obtained from Katherine Herrick on telephone number 0207 210 6483 or e-mail to Katherine.herrick@nio.gov.uk.

Applications

You can apply for this post through the Civil Service website at: civilservice.gov.uk. Once logged onto the site got 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 short listed for interview.

HCS 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 secondments, 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 200 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.

Disability Information

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 were accredited as a Disability Confident Leader in autumn 2017.

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.

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.

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

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/