About the job

Job summary

Please refer to Job Description

Job description

Department:  Northern Ireland Office (NIO)

Post Vacant:  NIO Governance Team: Deputy Head of Governance (SEO)

Location:  London or Belfast

Occasional Travel between both locations will be required.

Duration:  Permanent

Applications Invited From:  External Candidates and Existing Civil Servants 

New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join on the minimum of the pay range.  Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.

Salary scale:

London £45,824 - £50,039 
National £39,868 - £43,535 

Who Are We

The NIO supports the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in promoting the best interests of Northern Ireland within a stronger United Kingdom. It ensures Northern Ireland interests are fully and effectively represented at Westminster and the heart of Government, and the Government’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Northern Ireland.

Our key purpose is to make politics work by working alongside the Northern Ireland Executive to help improve the effectiveness and delivery of the devolved institutions; to ensure a more secure Northern Ireland; deliver a growing economy including rebalancing the economy; and ensure a stronger society by supporting initiatives designed to build better community relations and a genuinely shared future.

What We Do

The NIO represents Northern Ireland interests at a UK Government level and UK Government interests in Northern Ireland. We have a wide range of responsibilities, including: underpinning political stability in Northern Ireland; overseeing the Northern Ireland devolution settlement; leading on national security policy in Northern Ireland; addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past; delivering elections and constitutional reform in Northern Ireland; playing a key role in rebalancing the NI economy; representing NI interests, including on the border with Ireland, following the UK’s exit from the EU. Our small size and diverse portfolio create a stimulating, fast-paced and challenging working environment, with regular engagement with a range of Ministers and senior officials. We support flexible working and have a modern, flexible IT system which helps enable this.

Role Overview

The NIO Governance Team is central to ensuring that the department runs effectively and efficiently whilst supporting policy teams in their sponsorship responsibilities to ensure good governance is maintained within arm’s length bodies. The  team sits within the NIO Corporate Operations Group working closely with colleagues within the Group and Strategy Team on a range of cross-cutting governance issues.

The Deputy Head of the Governance team is a  busy role that would suit someone who would like the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of corporate issues, particularly in relation to risk management, equality and good governance.

The team supports the NIO Board and its Audit and Risk Assurance Committee as well as the Executive Management Committee. It leads on the development and management of the Departmental Annual Report, Risk Register and associated risk management policy and assurance reports.

The team is also responsible for providing expert advice and guidance to sponsor teams within the NIO on the governance of the NIO Arms Length Bodies, including centrally managing all regulated public appointments and providing advice on other ministers appointments..

Working closely with HR colleagues, the team monitors and ensures the NIO meets all of its statutory equality requirements and manages the review of the department’s Equality Scheme. The team also provides advice to policy colleagues on compliance and fulfilment of the NIO’s section 75 obligations and commitments and leads on preparing an annual progress report to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

We are looking to recruit a highly motivated individual that can provide a consistently high level of service to internal and external stakeholders, while simultaneously managing a range of corporate issues in support of the delivery of objectives and compliance with best practice across the Department. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will report to the Head of Governance. This role is best suited to someone who is self-motivated, adaptable and thrives in a changing environment, as key responsibilities will shift over time according to departmental priorities.

The main responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Secretariat support to the NIO Board and its sub-committees: The post-holder will be responsible for providing appropriate secretariat support to the Board and its Committees, this will include working with the Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Directors to help set the strategic direction for the Board and sub committees. Duties will include the collation, preparation and presentation of papers at meetings; recording accurate minutes of meetings; ensuring actions are followed up on all matters arising and managing the annual effectiveness review for each Committee.  As well as working to develop an engaging forward look for all meetings.

Public Appointments: The successful candidate will be responsible for managing public appointments processes in respect of the NIO’s sponsored bodies and non-executive director positions.

Arms Length Bodies Management: A considerable proportion of the NIO budget is managed by a number of Arms Length Bodies (these are a range of non-departmental public bodies, statutory and non statutory office holders, and other entities that help carry out a range of important functions). The NIO’s wider family includes the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Independent Commission for Information Recovery and Reconciliation, Parades Commission for Northern Ireland, Sentence Review Commissioners for Northern Ireland, the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland and Civil Service Commissioners for Northern Ireland.  The post-holder will be responsible for supporting the relevant sponsor team with advice on good governance and ensure that appropriate monitoring, assurance, challenge and influence is exercised by sponsor teams in their management and governance arrangements. 

Corporate Governance: The post-holder will be responsible for providing advice and guidance on a range of governance issues across the Department.  These will include the development and maintenance of the Department’s audit plan, stewardship assurance statements and risk register.

Equality Obligations: The post-holder will be responsible for maintaining the department’s Equality Scheme and Disability Action Plan, including providing advice on equality duties under section 75, ensuring that screenings are published and submitting an annual return on progress to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.   The post holder will also have the opportunity to support our teams across the department in meeting equality duties.

The postholder will also be responsible for promoting good governance and supporting learning and development and best practice across the department.

Essential Criteria

The post holder will need to demonstrate the following in their application and at interview:

• Excellent written and oral communications skills;
• Experience of dealing with senior colleagues or Board level members;
• Experience of working with others and maintaining collaborative relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders; and
• Experience of working in a corporate services environment or Project Management Office on governance matters such as business/project planning, risk management, compliance reporting or secretariat functions.

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience of working with, or managing relationships with, arms’ length bodies or organisations in a group structure;
• Experience of senior level recruitment processes or public appointments processes;
• Understanding of section 75 duties and how they apply to public authorities in Northern Ireland.

Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered. 

Selection Process

The selection and interview process will consist of two stages:

1) Sift

Behaviours and Experience

We will assess you against the following Success Profiles behaviours at Level 3  during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating & Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Please provide a statement of suitability no longer than 500 words outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Please note that in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run the initial sift on the lead Behaviour “Making effective Decisions”.

More information on behaviours and success profiles can be found here.

2) Interview

You will be assessed against the same behaviours at the interview stage and will be asked to provide examples of how you have demonstrated the behaviours.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered.  Failure to provide sufficient information in support of an application prior to the closing date will not be considered as grounds for an appeal if an applicant is not shortlisted for interview.

Inclusion and Diversity

The NIO is committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences.

We particularly welcome applications from ethnic minority candidates, as they are under-represented within the NIO at this level. The NIO strives to be an inclusive employer and is recognised by its staff and externally as being an employer where Diversity and Inclusion are valued.

We have an active D&I network supporting colleagues through D&I Advocates, championed by our Directors. We want all our people to feel valued for who they are and we are confident that you will find the NIO a warm, welcoming and inclusive place to work.

Eligibility

Security Clearance

Security clearance to SC is required for this post.. 

Eligibility Sift

An eligibility sift will be carried out on the basis of the information contained in the application form.  It is therefore important that all applicants demonstrate in their application how and to what extent their behaviours are relevant to the above criteria.  Those candidates who do not clearly demonstrate that they meet the experience and behaviours will not be invited to interview.

Pay And Allowances

The successful candidate will adopt the terms and conditions of the NIO for the length of their appointment.

Neither Detached Duty terms nor relocation costs will apply to this post.

Further Information

Further information about the post may be obtained from Richard Steven or John East via email to richard.steven@nio.gov.uk or john.east@nio.gov.uk

Applications

You can apply for this post through the Civil Service website at civilservice.gov.uk. Once logged onto the site go to the civil service jobs page and then search for jobs in the Northern Ireland Office where the application form can be found.

Home Civil Service applicants who, because of disability, need assistance in completing the application form should contact MoJ Shared Services on 0845 010 3512.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

This job description should not be taken as constituting conditions of employment.

Please note that due to the high interest in NIO opportunities, feedback cannot be given if you are unsuccessful at the sift stage. Feedback is available on request if unsuccessful following the interview.

Further Information

The NIO is a small and friendly department of approximately 185 staff.  Due to our size we are able to offer staff more exposure to ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department.  This creates an interesting, though often challenging, work environment.

The NIO offers a pleasant, modern work hybrid working environment that allows consideration of a range of flexible working arrangements that support a good work/ life balance. These include flexible/ alternative working patterns, part-time and job-share options.

Other Benefits

The NIO offers a pleasant, modern work environment which allows consideration of a range of flexible working arrangements which support a good work/ life balance. These include flexible/ alternative working patterns, part-time and job-share options. Other benefits include Interest-free season ticket and bicycle loans and a Reward & Recognition scheme.

Disability Confident Scheme

The Northern Ireland Office operates the Disability Confident Scheme, details of which are attached to the application form for this post.

In the event that we identify more appointable candidates than we currently have posts available, we will hold applicant details on a reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. This may include roles at a lower grade. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com to be removed from the reserve list. 

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.  Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. 

Please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk) in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages:

http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/

https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/

Merit Lists

In the event that the advertised post following interview, identifies more appointable applicants than available posts, we may hold applicant details on a merit/reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further future appointments can be made. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact

MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com to be removed from the reserve list.

Person specification

Please refer to Job Description

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,868, Northern Ireland Office contributes £10,804 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 and Experience.https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

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

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.