Ministry of Justice UK
Assistant Private Secretary (Ref: 20972)
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This position is based at 102 Petty France (MOJ) London, SW1H 9AJ
Job Summary
Please refer to Job Description
Job Description
Assistant Private Secretary at the Ministry of Justice
HEO posts
Private Office and Parliament Directorate
Want to see how government really works? Join a team at the heart of ministerial decision-making, where every day brings new challenges, direct exposure to Ministers, and the chance to develop skills that will serve you throughout your career. We'll support you with active development opportunities and the chance to work flexibly in a team that values your contribution.
The Private Office and Parliament (POP) Directorate is recruiting for multiple HEO Assistant Private Secretaries (or similar private office roles). The exact portfolios these roles will cover are still to be confirmed (and will depend on the successful candidate) but will likely be in the private office of either the Courts or Prisons Minister. A reserve list will also be maintained in case of future vacancies. This campaign is open to current civil servants on level transfer and suitable candidates on promotion.
Location:
Successful candidates will be based at 102 Petty France, London.
About The Role
We're recruiting for at least two Assistant Private Secretary roles in a busy, dynamic team at the heart of government. This is your chance to work directly with a minister, providing expert advice and support that shapes decisions on issues that matter.
What you'll do:
- You'll lead on part of a ministerial portfolio, ensuring your minister is briefed, prepared and informed at every turn.
- You will make sure they have the right information and structure to make informed decisions.
- You'll be the vital link between the minister and the wider department, working with officials at all levels and representing your minister in the department and across Whitehall.
- From solving problems at pace to ensuring follow-up on key actions, you'll be trusted to make effective decisions in a fast-moving environment.
What we're looking for:
- Someone who thrives on building relationships, stays calm under pressure, and enjoys the challenge of keeping multiple plates spinning.
- You'll need strong interpersonal skills, excellent organisation, and the confidence to provide credible advice to ministers and engage with senior officials.
Why join us:
- This is an exciting time to be part of the Private Office and Parliament (POP) directorate.
- We're a friendly, collegiate team that supports each other to succeed in these demanding but rewarding roles.
- With a range of corporate workstreams and a culture of learning, POP is a place where you can develop, thrive and make a real impact.
Skills And Experience
We are looking for someone who has experience of:
Essential
- Providing high quality advice and effective decision making. You should know how to analyse and use information to support ministerial decision making, knowing how to involve others and invite challenge when appropriate.
- You will be an effective communicator, knowing how to communicate in a straightforward and engaging manner, sharing information with colleagues as appropriate and taking into account different opinions and views.
- Experience of building effective professional relationships with others to identify risks and resolve issues efficiently. You will know how to involve a diverse range of colleagues, stakeholders and delivery partners in developing suggestions for improvements and provide an effective channel of communication for the Minister with other private offices, the Department, the rest of Whitehall, Parliament and the public.
- Someone that uses their relationships, judgement and understanding of the wider context to support the Minister in their work and to add value to the process and substance of decision making, ensuring financial and ethical probity. You should be engaging, trustworthy and unafraid to challenge peers and senior colleagues.
- You will be a collaborative, empathetic and inspiring team player, knowing how to effectively work within a team, escalate issues where appropriate and work together with others to deliver work to a high standard, often delivering at pace.
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About The Ministry Of Justice (MoJ)
MoJ is one of the largest government departments, employing over 90,000 people (including those in the Probation Service), with a budget of approximately £10 billion. Each year, millions of people use our services across the UK - including at 500 courts and tribunals, and 133 prisons in England and Wales.
Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice
Ways of Working
This role is only available on a full-time basis.
Due to the nature of this role the successful candidate will be expected to primarily work from the office in 102 Petty France.
Please note that this role may require working extended hours, including some evenings and weekends on a duty rota, for which a Private Secretary allowance is payable.
If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition.
We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity
Salary
Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.
Security Clearance
Role
This role requires National Security Vetting given the access to sensitive information afforded by the job role. You can find more information by reviewing the information held in the following links:
In addition, there is a minimum UK residency requirement set by the Cabinet Office which is dependent on the security level required for the role.
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This role requires SC and to be eligible to apply for this role you should have been present in the UK continuously for the past 5 years.
Application process
Candidates applying from HMPPS should note that the Ministry of Justice does not have the same conditions of employment as HMPPS. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.
The MoJ is proud to be Level 3 Disability Confident. Disability Confident is the approach through which we offer guaranteed interviews for all people with disabilities meeting the minimum criteria for the advertised role as set out in the job description.
You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.
Experience
During the application process you will be asked to provide a CV in order to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role.
You will also be asked to upload a Statement of Suitability of no more than 500 words stating what you would bring to the role, with reference to the Skills and Experience listed above.
Behaviours
During The Interview Process You Will Be Asked To Provide An Example Of How You Have Met The Following Behaviours (see Annex A For More Information)
- Delivering at pace
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:
Successful applicants will then be invited to an interview, testing both behaviours and strengths.
Candidates Invited to Interview
Please note that interviews will be held in-person in 102 Petty France.
During The Panel Interview, You Will Be Asked
- Behaviour-based questions to explore in detail what you are capable of. The Behaviours that will be covered by the panel are as follows:
- Delivering at Pace
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- A short exercise during the interview, where candidates will be presented with a submission and asked to summarise the key points. The exercise will take approximately 10 minutes in total.
- At least one Strength question.
Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:
Strength based questions to also explore what you enjoy, and your motivations relevant to the job role. There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well
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