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.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
We are currently seeking to recruit someone who thrives on challenge and has a proven track record in building relationships quickly and effectively to drive a department or organisation’s agenda.
As Head of Communities you will lead the Department’s engagement with a wide range of community-based stakeholders in Northern Ireland, including in the voluntary and charitable sector, civic society organisations, academic, faith, youth, women and LGBTQ+ sectors. You will ensure that the UK Government decision-making is fully informed by the views of your stakeholders and work as part of the senior leadership of the Political Affairs group to to deliver the NIO’s strategic objectives: namely to support the levelling up of Northern Ireland’s economy with the rest of the UK, support greater inclusion, tolerance, and openness in Northern Ireland, contribute to a safer Northern Ireland, where terrorist and paramilitary groups are less able to cause harm to communities and to ensure that governance in Northern Ireland is responsive, transparent and able to deliver effective public services.
The Political Affairs group is responsible for supporting political and community objectives in Northern Ireland. It does this through managing relationships with Northern Ireland’s political parties, the Executive, the Assembly and engagement with communities and civic, voluntary and academic stakeholders. The team supports the stability and peace brought about by the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and its successors, and supports the devolved institutions to survive and thrive to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland. The team also oversees the delivery of the New Decade, New Approach agreement reached in January 2020. The jobholder(s) will be expected to develop a strong expertise on Northern Ireland politics and the events, people and decisions that shape it. They will also play a key role in ensuring that the Northern Ireland Office and the whole of the UK Government maintains a strong understanding of Northern Ireland’s political events and their impact on UK Government policy and approach.
The role offers significant amounts of autonomy, and the post-holder(s) should be comfortable with driving forward work and maintaining effective, responsive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. The role will lead a small team of 2 Band B and 1 Band C colleagues.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- develop and deliver the NIO’s strategy for community and civic engagement and outreach in Northern Ireland to ensure UKG decision-making is fully informed by the views and concerns of community and civic stakeholders;
- identify and manage risks to communities in Northern Ireland, including through the relationships you build with key stakeholders;
- develop expertise and knowledge quickly sometimes in quite technical and legal areas;
- provide clear, compelling and straightforward advice in writing and in person to ministers and senior officials;
- work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders across Whitehall, the Northern Ireland Civil Service and other external and political stakeholders in Northern Ireland, championing your policy area and Government priorities;
- link up relevant work across the department, ensuring a consistent and clear voice is presented across Whitehall and externally across a range of interconnected issues;
- support your own professional development, promoting a culture in which talent and developmental opportunities are recognised and encouraged; and
- provide line management and countersigning responsibilities across a team of three colleagues.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
A knowledge of Northern Irish affairs is helpful and successful candidates will be expected to be able to quickly grasp complex political issues and work to deliver policy effectively in the context of Northern Ireland.
To be successful, you must be able to demonstrate that you have:
- Excellent political awareness, with the capacity to understand the wider implications of both your work and that of others;
- The ability to develop and maintain effective, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders in a range of contexts, and to use your interpersonal skills to achieve results;
- Strong policy making skills, with excellent written and oral communication;
- Experience of working closely with Ministers and senior officials; and
- A proven ability to work at pace and under pressure and dealing with high levels of uncertainty.
DESIRABLE CRITERIA:
It would be desirable for applicants to have an understanding of the political environment and historical context of Northern Ireland.
Please upload a statement of suitability of no more than 500 words setting out how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.
BEHAVIOURS:
We will assess you against the following Success Profiles behaviours at Level 4 during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
More information on behaviours and success profiles can be found here.
The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of behaviours and experience based questions.
Please note that in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run the initial sift on the lead Behaviour “Seeing the Big Picture”.
SECURITY CLEARANCE
Counter Terrorism Check clearance 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.
A Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA) for Belfast-based staff is currently under review and details of the RRA will be available on acceptance of offer.
This allowance is non-pensionable and subject to annual review in line with MoJ pay awards.
Neither Detached Duty terms nor relocation costs will apply to this post.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further information about this post may be obtained from Paul Flynn at paul.flynn@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 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.
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/
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