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.
DEPARTMENT
Northern Ireland Office
POST VACANT
Policy Adviser – Identity and Culture
LOCATION
London/Belfast
DURATION
12 month loan
APPLICATIONS INVITED FROM
Existing Substantive Band B/Grade SEO
CLOSING DATE
20 May 2022
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 is one of 3 Territorial Offices of the UK Government which represents Northern Ireland interests at a UK Government level and UK Government interests in Northern Ireland. We are passionate about Northern Ireland; we are flexible, empowering and inclusive.
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.
The Northern Ireland Office 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.
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. We support flexible working and have a modern, flexible IT system which helps enable this.
About the Role
We are seeking an outstanding policy official to take forward work on an exciting portfolio of issues related to the Government’s priority outcome for Northern Ireland to create a more confident and inclusive society. This role would suit individuals who thrive working on a broad range of issues in a fast-paced environment, with a particular interest in either education, skills or social integration.
The successful candidate will be responsible for taking forward work on an exciting portfolio of issues including policy for an important package of legislation to support minority languages and Northern Ireland’s rich tapestry of cultures; a series of education and skills initiatives to encourage greater integration in schools and support better outcomes for young people; and engagement on these matters with a wide breadth of stakeholders in Northern Ireland’s devolved institutions, public life and civil society. This will support the delivery of the Government’s commitments related to “New Decade, New Approach”, and the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement more widely, and the post holder will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of colleagues including senior officials and Ministers.
This role is located in the Constitution and Rights Group (CRG) as part of the Identity, Citizenship and Culture team. CRG is made up of five policy-focused teams that lead on a range of issues related to the constitutional and devolution settlement, identity and citizenship matters, rights and equalities, and elections in Northern Ireland. There may also be opportunities to work on other aspects of the Group’s portfolio where additional support and resilience is needed on an ad hoc basis, and due to our size we are able to offer staff the opportunity to work on a far wider range of issues than may be the case in a larger department.
Duties and Responsibilities
If your application is successful, you will:
- Lead on the policy development for a Bill to deliver on the relevant identity, language and culture commitments set out in New Decade, New Approach;
- Provide advice to Departments across Whitehall in respect of identity, language and culture sensitivities in Northern Ireland, particularly in relation to the Union Strategy;
- Monitor developments in Northern Ireland and ensure that stakeholders are appropriately engaged, including on the Bill;
- Develop policy in respect of education and skills to achieve a more integrated, confident and prosperous Northern Ireland, and monitor the delivery of these initiatives;
- Work collaboratively across Government and in virtual teams, including a dynamic virtual Bill Team, and provide NIO representation on a variety of assurance groups;
- Join workstreams across the Department to ensure a consistent approach on issues related to your portfolio, and identify linkages with policy programmes across Government;
- Support your own professional development, promoting a culture in which talent and developmental opportunities are recognised and encouraged.
Essential Criteria
- Good fundamental policy making skills, with an ability to creatively find solutions and solve problems;
- Sound political awareness and judgement, with the capability to think strategically and creatively, identify and resolve emerging issues;
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills, able to compellingly and concisely explain complex policy issues;
- Experience working with others and maintaining collaborative relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders; and
- Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to work effectively across a range of tasks and under pressure.
Desirable Criteria
- An appreciation of the political environment in Northern Ireland, including the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement settlement;
- Experience in policy or strategy related to education, skills, or social integration, or associated legislation;
- Past experience working with Ministers and senior leaders, and briefing them accordingly.
Application Process
To apply for this role, you are required to submit a statement of suitability, no more than 750 words detailing your experience and how you meet the essential criteria of the role. You will also be required to provide a CV at this stage.
The interview stage will be based on experience, whereby you will be asked to demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role.
Any questions related to the role should be addressed to: HRenquiresnio@nio.gov.uk
GIS
The Northern Ireland Office operates the Guaranteed Interview Scheme and welcomes applications under this scheme. Please clearly identify on your application you are wanting to apply under this scheme.
Merit list
This vacancy will have a merit list for a maximum period of 12 months.
Where more than one applicant meets the minimum criteria for each role, we will place the unsuccessful candidates on a merit list. If the successful candidate withdraws or fails security checks we would offer the role to a candidate on the merit list. If there are further vacancies for the same or a similar role in the following 12 months, we may also offer candidates from the merit list these positions without running a further recruitment campaign. If candidates have the same overall score the panel needs to agree an order of recall. We may share the merit list with other managers in the NIO recruiting for vacancies with the same criteria.
Eligibility
This vacancy is open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Additional Information
Security Clearance
Security clearance to SC level will be required for this post.
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 Theo Bonds on telephone number 07974 619 993 or e-mail to Theo.Bonds@nio.gov.uk.
All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.
This job description should not be taken as constituting conditions of employment.
Further information about us
We are a small and friendly department of approximately 185 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
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