About the job

Job summary

If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth.  

Our work ranges from protecting customers through the regulation of the financial sector, helping to reduce carbon emissions and creating a greener economy, to promoting British trade around the world and supporting people across the country on jobs, growth and more.  

HM Treasury is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, ways of working and thinking makes us stronger and better at developing policy that reflects the needs of every community. We embrace different views and experiences and value the new perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferrable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.  

We are part of the Darlington Economic Campus, a pioneering new cross-government hub which brings people together to play an active role in the most important issues of the day whilst working closer to the communities we serve. The campus provides the opportunity for people from all over the UK to help shape the future of the country, and our flexible working practices ensure you can collaborate effectively with our partners. It’s central government, made more accessible to you! 

Job description

About the Group

The Ministerial and Communications Group sits at the heart of the Treasury. If you are interested in the inner workings of the Government, meeting Ministers, Senior Officials and liaising with the Press then this could be the place for you! We are a friendly and inclusive Group working on some of the most exciting issues of the day, bringing together work from across the rest of the department and engaging closely with partners across Whitehall and beyond.

About the Team

The Corporate Governance team sits within the Public Appointments and Corporate Governance team (part of the Permanent Secretary’s office) in the Ministerial and Communications Group at the heart of the Treasury.

The Corporate Governance team is a team of four, consisting of a Head of Governance, two governance officers and a declarations of interest officer. The team plays a critical role in enabling the strategic oversight of the department, being responsible for all aspects of the department’s governance processes. The team provides secretariat and corporate governance function to the formal governance Boards and Committees (including the Executive Management Board, the Treasury Board and its sub-committees), and leading the relationship with departmental non-executive directors.

The team works flexibly and collaboratively across the department with a wide range of high-profile partners.

The team supports the Executive Management Board, Ministers, Officials and Non-Executive Directors, by ensuring the priorities and risks are discussed and actioned through the governance structure. The team owns governance policies which form the basis of the Treasury’s system of internal control. The Department follows these policies to ensure it runs as effectively and efficiently as possible.

We provide support to Ministers, through Ministerial offices. We act as Treasury's external face, through the Press Office and Communications team. We are responsible for managing the department, through our support for the Permanent Secretary, the Second Permanent Secretaries, the Treasury Board, and the Executive Management Board (EMB), and our ownership of Treasury governance structures. The Group is led by the Permanent Secretary.

About the Job

This is an exciting HEO role, at the heart of the Treasury. The post provides unparalleled insight into the running of a central Whitehall department. It gives privileged access to the Permanent and Second Permanent Secretarys, the Director Generals and Non-Executive Directors.

We offer the opportunity to get involved in issues right across the department’s spending, economic and domestic agendas. This is an outstanding opportunity to develop a network that spans and influences all Groups and grades and as a departmental representative at the Cross Government Board Secretaries Network. The role will require the highest level of personal integrity, flexibility and discretion.

1. Deliver a professional secretariat service to the department’s Audit and Risk Committee (chaired by a Non-Executive Director) and the Operating Committee including setting agendas, briefing chairs, taking accurate minutes, maintaining action registers and providing guidance to action owners
2. Ensure that the Committees operate in a coordinated and efficient way through time management, quality control, regular communication with senior leaders and diary planning. Ensure compliance with the Board Operating Framework and the Corporate Governance Code of good practice.
3. Attend meetings, effectively communicating decisions arising.
4. Continually improving the service and building positive relationships including with Directors and Deputy Directors.
5. Oversee recruitment to the above boards, including onboarding and induction to ensure that members understand what is required of them.
6. Ensure the department is meeting its obligations under the Corporate Governance Code and its own Operating Framework. Reviewing the internal operating frameworks to ensure they remain fit for purpose and proportionate. Provide advice and guidance to colleagues and partners across the department to ensure understanding and compliance.
7. Provide support and resilience to the department’s Conflicts of Interest Officer in mitigating risks relating to colleagues Declarations of Interest, ensuring compliance with our policies.
8. Provide support on the drafting and evidence required for the department’s Governance Statement in the Annual Report and Account, ensuring compliance with relevant guidance.

The Secretariat and Governance Officer supports the department in its decision making both operationally and relating to policy. The successful candidate will need to be able to work in a fast-paced environment making effective decisions with limited information.

The role can be undertaken from any of the HMT offices, however, there is a requirement to be in the London office to cover the boards that the candidate secretariats for (approximately 2 – 3 times a month).

 Key Accountabilities

Key accountabilities for this role include:

• Delivering effective secretariat services which involves forward planning, minuting and good record keeping
• Handling opposing priorities
• Develop expertise in governance, working with other experts in the area, and have an understanding of the department’s Board Operating Framework and the Governance Code for central government departments.
• Clearly and accurately describing a problem or area for change, and possible solutions.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with a range of stakeholders, including Permanent and Second Permanent Secretarys. team colleagues, Chairs and members of the board and committees, and colleagues from across the department.
• Act as a key point of contact for your boards, dealing with any problems or queries as they arise.

Candidate Drop-In Session 
We will be running a candidate drop-in session for this role to give you greater insight about the role as well as the chance to learn more about HM Treasury and the recruitment process. If you would like to join us, then use the appropriate link below to join the call at the right time. 

Monday 5 February 4pm

Click here to join the meeting

If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date for applications to find out more about the job, please contact jane.lonsdale@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Person specification

We are looking for the below skills, experience and behaviours and we will ask you to demonstrate these in your application form. Please review the Candidate FAQ document that is attached to the advert for guidance on how to complete your application form.  

 At sift stage you will be assessed against the Behaviours and Experience.

Behaviours

1. Managing a Quality Service: An ability to develop, implement. review and maintain systems and services to ensure delivery of professional excellence.
2. Delivering at Pace: An ability to follow the appropriate procedures to meet deadlines and prioritise opposing priorities effectively to maintain performance
3. Communicating and Influencing: An ability to write clear, simple and relevant reports for use by a variety of partners, with excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
4. Making Effective Decisions: An ability to use a range of relevant information to support decision making.

 Experience:  

Candidates should demonstrate relevant experience in private office, personal assistant or secretariat roles or other roles with transferable organisational, managing competing priorities and communication skills.

The lead criterion is: Managing a Quality Service. If we receive large volumes of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criterion only.

At interview stage, you will be assessed on the below criteria:

• Experience
• Strengths
• Behaviours:
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Interview Task/Presentation

Prior to your interview, we will contact you about a minute taking exercise that the interview panel would like you to complete as part of the assessment. The exact details will be communicated to you nearer the time. Candidate Guidance Support Session 

Candidate Guidance Support Session 
 
We will be running an overview of Success Profiles and the STAR approach; top tips for the application and interview process and an opportunity to ask general questions around our recruitment practices. If you would like to join us, then use the link below to join the call at the right time. 

Friday 26 January 12pm Click here to join the meeting

Tuesday 6 February 5pm Click here to join the meeting

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,710, HM Treasury contributes £14,299 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Recruitment Timeline 

Closing date: Sunday 11 February 2024

Shortlisting: W/C12 February 2024

Interviews:  W/C19 February 2024

This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline. 

If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs Profile.  

Eligibility Statement

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role in the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Checks will be performed as part of pre-employment checks in line with this. Please refer to the Candidate FAQ document attached to the advert for more information.

Individuals appointed to the Treasury Group will be subject to National Security Vetting. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out applicants will normally need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. A lack of UK residency in itself is not always a bar to security clearance but the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case by case basis using all information that can be obtained following a successful application.

Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. 

For many roles, security clearance is also required. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements of the role before they can be appointed. The level of security clearance required for this role is Security Check (SC) 

Please read the Vetting Charter for information on what to expect during the vetting process and what will be expected from you.  

Many areas of your life may be explored during your vetting journey, and it is important that every individual, regardless of their background and experiences, should feel comfortable going through this personal process, whilst having confidence that it is fair, proportionate, and inclusive.  

These short videos address common concerns and preconceptions which applicants may have about national security vetting.  

If you have questions relating to security clearances, please contact HMTSecurityVetting@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security 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 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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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.