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Would you like to work directly with a Cabinet Minister to shape the future of the UK and Scotland within it?
We are looking for an organised and perceptive person with great communication skills to join our team as Assistant Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Scotland. The role is at Band C or HEO level and will be based in the Scotland Office in our London site, Dover House. The role comes with an additional stipend, known as a Private Office Allowance, worth an extra £4,739 per year. There is neither ongoing entitlement nor consolidation possible when the post holder exits the role.
Overview
The Scotland Office supports the Secretary of State in promoting the best interests of Scotland within the United Kingdom. It ensures Scottish interests are fully and effectively represented at the heart of the UK Government, and the UK Government’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Scotland.
The Scotland Office’s role is to:
- Strengthen and sustain the Union
- Act as Scotland’s voice in Whitehall
- Champion the UK Government in Scotland
The Role
This fast-paced and rewarding role offers opportunities rarely available at this grade to work directly with a Cabinet Minister. You will be a focal part of a busy, friendly team and working at the centre of Whitehall. You will work closely with ministers, senior officials and special advisors, and liaise regularly with important stakeholders and ministerial teams across Whitehall.
The successful candidate will manage a diverse and exciting policy portfolio, pushing the Secretary of State’s priorities through the department and across Whitehall. They will lead on parliamentary work in the Private Office, preparing the Secretary of State for debates and committee appearances in the House of Commons. They will also oversee correspondence and have line management responsibility for the correspondence manager.
The role will be London based and will require regular in-person responsibilities. It also offers the opportunity for frequent travel to Scotland and internationally to support the Secretary of State on visits and meetings with stakeholders.
As the role is within a private office, the role requires an ability to work in a fast paced environment and sometimes to work unsociable hours. As such the role includes a Private Office allowance. The Scotland Office also offers quarterly bonuses and a regular rewards and recognition scheme for excellent performance, as well as the opportunity to get involved in corporate groups and undertake both individual and team-based learning and development.
We are recruiting using Ministry of Justice terms and conditions. The successful candidate will need to have or complete national security vetting at CTC level initially. Note that these checks take on average 1-2 months to complete.
Person Specification
Excellent written and verbal communication, sound judgement, and the ability to remain calm and reliable under pressure are essential skills.
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual: a team player who will be able to balance competing priorities and manage a busy workload.
The successful candidate will need to be assertive and confident in their ability to work with Ministers, Special Advisers and officials at all levels.
They will be flexible and able to react quickly to emerging priorities.
Main Responsibilities
- Managing a diverse and stretching policy portfolio, working with Scotland Office colleagues and stakeholders across Whitehall to ensure the Secretary of State’s objectives in these policy areas are driven forward.
- Leading on parliamentary work from Private Office, including preparing the Secretary of State for debates and committee appearances, coordinating briefing packs, managing parliamentary questions, and working alongside the parly team.
- Overseeing the delivery of correspondence, including ministerial and official letters, write rounds and FOIs, ensuring that high standards are maintained and statutory targets met.
- Line managing the correspondence manager.
- Handling sensitive content: the postholder needs to be able to handle matters with discretion and awareness of security guidelines.
- Maintaining effective administrative processes and accurate record keeping, including upholding departmental responsibilities on Freedom of Information and transparency publications.
- Work as part of the Private Office team, supporting the day-to-day operations of the wider office and providing an efficient, accurate, confidential and comprehensive service.
- Providing additional support to the team on shared tasks and other duties that would reasonably sit within the portfolio, supporting the Private Secretaries as and when required.
- Occasional weekend on-call responsibilities.
Skills
Essential:
- Possess excellent organisational skills, and be detail oriented.
- Strong oral and written communication skills and excellent interpersonal and team working skills.
- A “can-do” attitude and team player who can drive forward multiple priorities simultaneously.
Desirable:
- A knowledge of and interest in Scottish politics or experience of working with the devolution settlement.
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