Written Parliamentary Questions Coordinator

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 272789**Salary**:

- £29,526**Job grade**:

- Executive Officer**Contract type**:

- Permanent**Business area**:

- DFE - Strategy Group - Ministerial and Public Communications Division**Type of role**:

- Operational Delivery**Working pattern**:

- Full-time**Number of jobs available**:

- 1Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- London, SW1P 3BTAbout the job

**Job summary**:
At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels. Equality and Diversity - Department for Education

The Written Parliamentary Question (PQ) team is key to the department’s success in communicating with parliament and the outside world.

Written PQ coordinators are responsible for managing the end-to-end delivery of Written PQs, from commissioning drafts from policy teams, to liaising with ministerial Private Offices.

We work closely with policy teams across the department, as well as ministers and their private offices, to manage and publish answers to Written PQs.

You will join a supportive, flexible team who are adept at delivering at pace and manage work to tight deadlines.

**Job description**:
Parliamentary Questions form an essential part of departmental accountability to parliament and are used by Members of both Houses, as well as regularly being featured in the press.

You will establish a good working relationship with a range of stakeholders, including policy teams, special advisers, ministerial private offices, to help problem solve difficult cases. You should enjoy working with a wide range of different people and know how to get the best out of them individually.

You should be confident to engage and build relationships with stakeholders quickly, and to use negotiation and influencing skills to achieve successful outcomes and timely performance.

Strong organisational and prioritisation skills are essential. You will help manage our caseload and ensure the team delivers responses to MPs and Peers within short deadlines of between 3 to 10 days.

This role requires resilient and focused individuals who will flourish under the pace and pressure of the role.

This role requires a strong attention to detail and an enthusiasm for ensuring work is of the highest standard. You will quality check drafts from policy to ensure they are drafted to exceptional standards within tight deadlines. You will ensure drafts effectively convey the position and actions of the department accurately.

You will become familiar with ministers’ policy areas and preferences and will use this knowledge to enhance the quality of responses. You will work closely with a range of policy teams and be aware of upcoming changes to these policy areas.

This post would be suitable for an individual who is interested in parliament and would like to gain an insight to a high-profile operational delivery team and an understanding of policy across a large department of state.

Within this role, in order for the team to effectively meet its parliamentary deadlines, you will work on a 2 week rotating shift pattern with a number of your colleagues on the team.

Week 1: 08.30-16.30
Week 2: 10.15-18.15

**Person specification**:
**Essential criteria**:

- Resilience to work under pressure with high volumes, delivering at pace to tight deadlines and an ability to make decisions under pressure
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal) and the ability to engage confidently with stakeholders across the department, including at a senior level
- Excellent organisation and time management skills
- A good level of written English and strong attention to detail
- A flexible approach to working and supporting colleagues within the team and across the division
- Strong leadership skills.

**Desirable criteria**:

- Knowledge of, or interest in, topical issues in the sector
- Understanding of, or interest in, parliamentary business.
- Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.

**Behaviours**:
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service

**Benefits**:
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 d