Id Job: 3172304
Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
In DHSC, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you.
This role represents an incredible opportunity to work alongside the nation’s health and social care leadership. If you believe that you are highly organised and have outstanding interpersonal skills, we would love to hear from you! We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible and hope all those from underrepresented groups feel empowered to apply.
We are looking for talented individuals with a passion for working with others to join the Private Office team supporting Ministers and the Permanent Secretary. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work at the very heart of the Department and gain invaluable experience of how Ministers, Parliament and a large government department work. It also enables you to gain considerable insight into both Whitehall and Westminster.
The role in either our Ministerial or Permanent Secretary’s office is varied, challenging and enjoyable. You will work in a fast-paced, high-profile environment and provide vital support both to the team, acting as the interface between them, the Department, and the rest of government.
You will be the main contact point for all the Minister’s stakeholders on all aspects of the Minister’s diary. You will use your unique position to support the Permanent Secretary or your Minister in attending a wide range of engagements, ensuring their priorities are maintained and that the Department’s priorities are also considered.
You will be a vital part of a dedicated and friendly team, working closely together to support your Minister or the Permanent Secretary.
Hours will vary throughout the year and are balanced with shorter working days during parliamentary recess.
A Private Office allowance on top of basic salary is payable to reflect that out of hours working is sometimes required.
Role Responsibilities:
Key Skills and Experience:
To be successful, you will need to be someone who can connect well with internal and external stakeholders, both verbally and in written format. You can engage effectively to build relationships with stakeholders, officials and other Ministerial offices. Being able to demonstrate a degree of discretion when discussing the Senior official’s daily commitments.
You will have excellent organisational skills with high attention to detail, you have the capability to effectively plan travel arrangements and visits and have an excellent ability for time management. You demonstrate resilience, good judgement and the ability to remain calm when arrangements change at short notice.
You are responsive to moving components in the diary and confident in your own ability to apply good judgement when making fast-paced decisions. You work well independently and as part of a team.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying. Similarly, this role requires attendance in our London Victoria Street office – with remote working a possibility should the business of the day allow for it.
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
Things you need to know
Sift date: expected W/C 29/05/2023
Interview date: expected W/C 05/06/2023
Interview location: By Video
The available interview slots will be released with the sift scores.
Applications will be sifted on CV and Behaviours.
Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. These can be found in the ‘key skills and experience required for the role’ section of the advert.
An initial sift based on CV and a Lead behaviour, making effective decisions may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours.
To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service Careers Website here and to find out more information on how to apply visit the Civil Service Careers Website here
Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.
Please note that applicants will require CTC clearance. For CTC clearance, candidates must have been a resident in the UK for the past 3 years.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DHSC from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via dhscrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Terms and Conditions
Candidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.
New Entrants to the Civil Service
New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:
Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion
All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
Existing DHSC staff, appointed on either level transfer or promotion
If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
Apply and further information
Job contact :
Recruitment team
