Department for Work and Pensions
Assistant Private Secretary and Business Support
Job Location
Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Job Description
What are my Responsibilities?
You will need to be adaptable, resilient, and ready to undertake a diverse range of tasks ensuring the smooth running of the Directors Private Office, enabling the Director to lead and manage the Directorates business effectively throughout the year.
Successful candidates can expect to be involved in a range of the following activities:
The role will require some line management, depending on the size of the Deputy Directors, Diary Manager pool.
A team player who can work collaboratively within a small team and understand the need for transparency and effective communication.
Hybrid working
This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home.
This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account.
This role can only be delivered from the UK.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
The successful candidate will have to demonstrate:
Full-time role due to the nature of role and limited cover.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
Alongside your salary of 37,497, Department for Work and Pensions contributes 10,862 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Sift stage:
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a Personal Statement of no more than 1000 words.
The sift panel will use your Personal Statement to assess your skills and experience against the essential criteria listed for this position.
Interview stage:
If you have been successful in sift stage, you will be invited to an online interview via Teams. You will need to produce evidence of ID at the video interview.
In the interview you will be assessed against the behaviours outlined in the job advert.
Further information will be provided to those who are invited to interview.
Application sift is planned to be carried out WC: 23/12/24
Interviews are planned to be carried out WC: 06/01/25
Please be advised that the above dates are indicative only and are subject to change.
Further Information
Find out more about Working for DWP
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DWP 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
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be 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 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 applicants 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.
Reasonable Adjustment
At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the Reasonable Adjustments 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 youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
Working for the Civil Service
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 Inclusion
The 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) .
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, GB
Posted Date: 12/21/2024
You will need to be adaptable, resilient, and ready to undertake a diverse range of tasks ensuring the smooth running of the Directors Private Office, enabling the Director to lead and manage the Directorates business effectively throughout the year.
Successful candidates can expect to be involved in a range of the following activities:
- Managing the Directors Inbox.
- Processing expenses, completing Transparency Data returns.
- Scrutinise and interpret information, using judgement to determine what the Director needs to action, requesting updates/ from key stakeholders to ensure information/updates are accurate and concise.
- Ensure preparations of the weekly/day pack (one note schedule, papers, agendas are prepared) Including commission work and advice and readouts to enable timely decisions to be taken to understand briefing, for example programme boards, departmental priorities, etc.
- Diary oversight arrange meetings/rooms/travel, diaries will be open, so minimal oversight required to ensure there are no clashes and the diary is balanced. Ensure all meetings are covered by empowered deputies when director cannot attend.
- Maintaining Finance Directorates administration including Organisation Charts and Business Continuity Plans, SharePoint, annual leave tracker- ensuring leave is transferred into Directors Diary.
- Maintaining oversight of strategic events/communications across the Directorate and DWP to ensure key messages and mandatory compliance completion are aligned communicated in a timely manner to our colleagues.
- Organise and effectively facilitate the All-Colleague Call.
- Support/Contingency cover in coordinating monthly/quarterly central returns for PC&P, Finance group.
- Work with the head of office to ensure effective cover within the team, so that there is never a break in service.
The role will require some line management, depending on the size of the Deputy Directors, Diary Manager pool.
A team player who can work collaboratively within a small team and understand the need for transparency and effective communication.
Hybrid working
This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home.
This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account.
This role can only be delivered from the UK.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
The successful candidate will have to demonstrate:
- Considerable experience of a fast-paced office at Director level.
- Experience with workforce planning and the job role catalogue, knowledge of recruitment processes within finance group.
- Recent experience with managing risks for Payments, Data or Financial control or Managing risk, issues and dependencies qualification.
- Excellent written and engagement skills and be highly competent at engaging professionally with stakeholders at all levels with a strong ability to persuade and influence.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate confidently with senior leaders across the department.
- Ability to work proactively and efficiently, and to thrive in a challenging environment and prioritising own workload ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong organisation skills and ability to forward plan - a good working knowledge Proficiency in SharePoint, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to adapt to various tasks, manage multiple items and have a pro-active approach to complete tasks.
Full-time role due to the nature of role and limited cover.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
Alongside your salary of 37,497, Department for Work and Pensions contributes 10,862 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
- Although this is a full time only role due to the nature of the work, in some other Civil Service roles, working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours may be available.
- Generous annual leave at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (prorata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
- Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
- Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 years continuous service.
- Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
- An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Womens Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Sift stage:
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a Personal Statement of no more than 1000 words.
The sift panel will use your Personal Statement to assess your skills and experience against the essential criteria listed for this position.
Interview stage:
If you have been successful in sift stage, you will be invited to an online interview via Teams. You will need to produce evidence of ID at the video interview.
In the interview you will be assessed against the behaviours outlined in the job advert.
Further information will be provided to those who are invited to interview.
Application sift is planned to be carried out WC: 23/12/24
Interviews are planned to be carried out WC: 06/01/25
Please be advised that the above dates are indicative only and are subject to change.
Further Information
Find out more about Working for DWP
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DWP 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
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be 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 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 applicants 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.
Reasonable Adjustment
At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the Reasonable Adjustments 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 youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals 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 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
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 Inclusion
The 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) .
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, GB
Posted Date: 12/21/2024
Contact Information
| Contact | Human Resources Department for Work and Pensions |
|---|