Ministerial Private Secretary

London, YorkDo you have the right skills and experience for this role Read on to find out, and make your application.Job SummaryYou will be working in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life from the food we eat, to the air we breathe, to the water we drink.You will form part of the Ministerial, Growth and Resilience Directorate, providing support on the Government Growth Mission as well as working on regulation and regulatory reform. It also includes Defra’s Briefing, Parliamentary, and ministerial support functions, including Defra’s Ministerial and Permanent Secretary Private Offices.We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups.LocationThese roles are Full-Time Only, Ministerial private office roles will be based in London only, and Permanent Secretary private office roles will be based in London or York.Job DescriptionThese are stretching, rewarding and varied HEO Private Secretary roles, supporting the ministerial team to deliver on their priorities. You can expect an exciting and fast-paced experience, where no two days are the same.The role is critical to ensuring ministers can work effectively with the department, wider government, external stakeholders, and parliament. You will work with a small, close-knit team and have a significant amount of autonomy.As part of the role, you will be required to:Lead on a broad policy portfolio, ensuring the minister’s priorities in this area are well understood by the department and working collaboratively with teams across Defra to ensure they are delivered. You will build strong relationships with colleagues across the Ministerial teams, special advisers, policy, communications and beyond to successfully deliver the minister’s priorities. You will represent the minister in discussions and negotiations across government – including with No.10 and external stakeholders. You will be the minister’s first port-of-call in this area and will need to develop an understanding of the relevant policy issues so you can brief confidently on the topic. Lead on organising key strategic visits for the minister related to your portfolio. Ensuring effective join-up with policy teams, comms and other departments where necessary. Ensuring the minister knows what to expect, is well-briefed and any visit runs as smoothly as possible. Support the Head of Office to make sure team management and office processes are as effective as possible. Supporting the wider team to ensure the minister’s time is used effectively, decisions are received and communicated efficiently, and correspondence and Parliamentary Questions are dealt with swiftly. Play a wider corporate role within the Private Office, helping to make sure Defra PO is a great place to work. Could include getting involved with a People Survey workstream, volunteering to promote the PO cover scheme or doing outreach across the department about the role of PO. These are stretching, rewarding and varied HEO Private Secretary roles, supporting the ministerial team to deliver on their priorities. You can expect an exciting and fast-paced experience, where no two days are the same.The role is critical to ensuring ministers can work effectively with the department, wider government, external stakeholders, and parliament. You will work with a small, close-knit team and have a significant amount of autonomy.As part of the role, you will be required to:Lead on a broad policy portfolio, ensuring the minister’s priorities in this area are well understood by the department and working collaboratively with teams across Defra to ensure they are delivered. You will build strong relationships with colleagues across the Ministerial teams, special advisers, policy, communications and beyond to successfully deliver the minister’s priorities. You will represent the minister in discussions and negotiations across government – including with No.10 and external stakeholders. You will be the minister’s first port-of-call in this area and will need to develop an understanding of the relevant policy issues so you can brief confidently on the topic. Lead on organising key strategic visits for the minister related to your portfolio. Ensuring effective join-up with policy teams, comms and other departments where necessary. Ensuring the minister knows what to expect, is well-briefed and any visit runs as smoothly as possible. Support the Head of Office to make sure team management and office processes are as effective as possible. Supporting the wider team to ensure the minister’s time is used effectively, decisions are received and communicated efficiently, and correspondence and Parliamentary Questions are dealt with swiftly. Play a wider corporate role within the Private Office, helping to make sure Defra PO is a great place to work. Could include getting involved with a People Survey workstream, volunteering to promote the PO cover scheme or doing outreach across the department about the role of PO. Person specificationEssential CriteriaAbility to develop an excellent working relationship with the minister and work effectively with a range of stakeholders, including officials across a range of grades (Communicating and Influencing)The ability to see issues and decisions in the context of the bigger strategic picture (Seeing the big picture) Confidence to use initiative to make effective decisions. (Making Effective Decisions)Ability to work proactively and reactively in a fast paced environment often with competing priorities (Delivering at Pace)BehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:Communicating and InfluencingDelivering at PaceMaking Effective DecisionsSeeing the Big PictureWe only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:Communicating and InfluencingAlongside your salary of £34,765, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £10,071 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.A career in the Civil Service is like no other. If you’re looking to join a world class team and develop your career with us, then the Civil Service is the place for you You might be wondering, “what’s in it for me”? Take a look below at some of the benefits available to you as a civil servant in Defra.Ministerial Growth And Resilience Directorate BenefitsLearning and DevelopmentEveryone in Defra is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, Defra, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role, while also working with you to connect you with a civil service mentor to help empower you in your new role with the opportunity to benefit from paid for coaching.Most importantly, we’re keen to invest in you As a civil servant, you will also have access to Civil Service Learning where you can participate in professional development programmes across a wide spectrum of subjects and professions.Department BenefitsTechnologyWe’re a firm believer in agile and flexible working. When you join Defra, we’ll kit you out with a new Windows 10 Laptop, smartphone and rucksack to make sure that you perform your best wherever you are.Leave25 days' paid leave per annum rising to 30 days after five years’ service, in addition to eight public holidays and the King’s Birthday privilege day. We also offer competitive maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave; study leave for the pursuit of academic studies; 3 days paid leave for volunteering per annum; 15 days paid leave per year for reservist training; and, generous paid sick leave.Cycle to Work SchemeDefra loans you a bike for your commute as a tax-free benefit. At the end of the loan period, you have the option to buy the bike, saving 30% of the original cost.Season Ticket and Bicycle LoanWe offer interest-free season ticket loans, to all Defra employees with more than three months’ service, for purchasing train and bus season tickets, as well as station car parking. For those unable to take advantage of tax-free benefits, we also offer an interest-free bicycle loan to enable the purchase of a bicycle for commuting.Gym, Social and Sports ActivitiesOur offices have a range of different onsite facilities, including gym, fitness facilities, games room, showers and cycle storage. There are also a variety of networks and social groups to join. Ask your line manager for more information.Restaurant and Café FacilitiesA range of our offices offer onsite restaurant and café facilities.Civil Service BenefitsPensionYour pension is a valuable part of your total reward package, and you will be given the chance to join one of three different pension plans. You can find more information on the Civil Service Pension on the MyCSP Website at intelligenceArtificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.Application ProcessAs part of the application process you will be asked to complete a Personal Statement, CV and a 250 word Behaviour statement.Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.SiftShould a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.Sifting is likely to be occur w/c 5th January, with interviews likely to 10-14days after. These dates are indicative only.InterviewIf successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours and StrengthsYou may also be asked to provide a presentation question.Interviews are expected to last no longer than 60 minutes.Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.Further InformationArtificial IntelligenceArtificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate, and based on your own personal experience. Submitting content that has been generated by AI or copied from others and presented as your own may be considered plagiarism. Applications found to contain such content may be withdrawn, and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please refer to our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.Location As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.Reserve ListA reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.SalaryNew entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.Childcare VouchersAny move to DEFRA 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.Reasonable AdjustmentIf 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 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.AccessibilityIf you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.Visa Sponsorship StatementPlease take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.Merit ListsWhere more than one location is advertised, candidates will be appointed in merit order for each location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.Criminal Record CheckIf successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check maybe carried out.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 recognize in exceptional circumstance 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 stating the job reference number in the subject heading.Higher Security ClearanceFor further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charterInternal Fraud Database CheckApplicants 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.This is a permanent role as an HEO in the Private Office.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.Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirementsThis Job Is Broadly Open To The Following GroupsUK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil ServiceFurther information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.Diversity and InclusionThe Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. xpwpeyx You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicantsJob ContactName : Strategy Resourcing TeamEmail : Recruitment teamEmail : Further informationIf you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here