Head of Executive Secretariat

The **Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR)** is an independent organisation established to provide information on **Troubles-related deaths and serious injuries to families, victims, and survivors while promoting reconciliation.**

From becoming operational on **1 May 2024**, the Commission’s caseload continues to move at pace. This is an exciting opportunity to join an inclusive, innovative team where you will work with competing deadlines and emotionally challenging content, while delivering for the public good through this historic work.

**About the role**
- The postholder will also act as Private Secretary to the Chief Commissioner, providing direct support and guidance, and directly line manage two Assistant Private Secretaries.
- They will work closely with the Board Secretariat team to ensure that all Commissioners are supported in the delivery of their responsibilities, at executive level and as members of the Commission Board.
- The postholder will be encouraged to forge positive relationships with colleagues working across the various branches of the Commission, providing a vital link between the Commissioners, senior leaders and the wider organisation.
- This role offers the postholder ample opportunities for development in a fast-paced, yet highly supportive environment.

**Key responsibilities**
- Provide effective leadership of the Executive Secretariat, including direct line management of two Assistant Private Secretaries.
- Act as Private Secretary to the Chief Commissioner, providing a direct link into the wider organisation.
- Oversee the timely and effective flow of information between the Executive Commissioners and wider organisation, ensuring the Commissioners receive co-ordinated strategic advice on matters within their remit.
- Lead on the timely response to Commissioner correspondence and support for stakeholder engagements.
- Oversee the provision of support to the Non-Executive Commissioners and Executive Leadership Team, through the Executive Secretariat team.
- Develop smarter ways of working to improve efficiency and delivery.
- Build and develop strong working relationships across the whole Commission.
- Work collaboratively with other office staff to ensure work is completed in times of high pressure or leave, including providing resilience to other team members.  

Essential Criteria
- Experience of working in a private office or private secretarial capacity.
- Minute-taking experience.
- Confidence working with senior leaders and excellent interpersonal skills.
- The ability to stay calm under pressure, displaying strong planning and logístical skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills - an ability to proof-read, summarise and communicate complex information quickly.
- Existing security clearance at SC level (preferred) or the willingness to obtain.
- Experience in correspondence management
- Experience in providing written and oral briefings to senior leaders
- be highly adaptable and flexible, adjusting to the requirements and strategic direction of the organisation
- have excellent verbal and written communication, with experience of minute taking
- be an engaging leader and trusted adviser, with the credibility and experience to lead a team to deliver quality outcomes
- have outstanding interpersonal skills to build trusted relationships with internal teams and senior leaders across the group
- be highly organised, efficient, and flexible as well as able to juggle competing priorities effectively whilst working in a fast paced and dynamic environment
- proactively identify and action opportunities to build organisation-wide knowledge and improve office processes
- have a proactive approach to line management with a focus on encouraging and supporting the team whilst recognising and appreciating challenging demands and deadlines.

We are happy to discuss the role and answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us for an informal conversation about the role and our organisation.

We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring and do not discriminate based on culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor.

Our offices are in Belfast and London, with travel and hybrid working arrangements available.

To **APPLY**

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £59,000.00 per year

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Belfast BT2

Application deadline: 13/01/2025