About the job

Job summary

Given the breadth and complexity of the portfolio, the role requires significant cross-HMG working, the ability both to think strategically and lead on reactive issues at the same time, whilst brokering agreement and finding solutions. Prime Ministerial interest across the portfolio is high, and you will lead preparation for NSC and COBR meetings as needed. This is a fast-paced role, needing strategic focus, rapid delivery and international experience. 

Leadership in a centre-of-government role is different: smaller teams and a lot of the very C21st skill of matrix / lattice leadership across organisations and specialisations. This will fit a successful candidate well for promotion.

The role also involves a significant corporate leadership and management role, supporting and leading a talented and high-paced team, and actively contributing to NSS corporate work. 

To protect the UK and its interests, we need and value a truly diverse team that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual orientations, those with disabilities and different ways of thinking. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce.  

Job description

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the Middle East team within the International Affairs Unit (approx. 10 FTE) and across NSS.
• Lead delivery of the PM’s priority relationships, advancing objectives across prosperity, security, and climate
• Advise the PM and NSA on managing security threats emanating from Iran, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan and lead crisis responses as required.
• Ensure the UK’s objectives for Russia and China are effectively delivered across the Middle East
• Work collaboratively with other teams in IAU including the US and Europe teams to develop effective influencing strategies with International partners.
• Lead and engage across HMG departments on a range of policy issues, including to deliver leader-level visits and international engagement, manage crises, and develop and deliver strategic objectives including through the NSC.
• Build a network of stakeholders across HMG, bilateral and multilateral partners, NGOs and think-tanks to support quality policy development. 
• Oversee high quality and regular communication and advice for the PM, No10, and NSA. Oversee briefing for international engagements by the PM and NSA.
• Be an active part of IAU’s senior leadership team and own and drive forward work that contributes to an engaged, inclusive and kind working culture.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Previous experience working on at least one of the geographic areas on which you will lead (Middle East) and ideally having spent time working in one or more of these regions.
• Experience of leading and operating within a complex stakeholder environment – with the proven ability to quickly secure the confidence of senior internal and external stakeholders, building and managing highly effective, influential and collaborative relationships across Government.
• Experience of leading, managing and developing high performing, resilient teams in high pressure conditions, the ability to build ‘agile’ staff capability.
• Experience of leading, formulating and implementing complex strategies, policies and programmes. 
• Ability to deliver at pace in a high-pressure environment.
• If successful, must be willing to obtain security clearance to DV level. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £75,000, Cabinet Office contributes £20,250 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

Application process

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process, outlined below. This should be completed no later than 23:55 21st January 2024.

A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have  provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 1250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead Behaviour, Leadership.

Selection process

Your application will be acknowledged when it is received.

A panel, including the hiring manager, will assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the 'Person Specification' section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.

Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – 29th January 2024.
Expected interview date/s – 5th February 2024.
Interview location - 70 Whitehall, London or Virtual.

Reasonable adjustments
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact: scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk in the first instance. 

Further information
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

Please note that this role requires SC clearance (with willingness to obtain DV) which would normally need 5 years UK residency in the past 10 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to Cabinet Office 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.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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.