GOVTALENT.UK

Executive Assistant

This opening expired 8 months ago.

FCDO Services

Location(s):
Milton Keynes
Salary:
£28,392
Job grade:
Executive Officer
Business area:
Administration and Secretarial
Contract type:
Permanent
Working pattern:
Full-time

About the job

Job summary

Based at Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes with the flexibility of hybrid working depending on business need.
Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park

Every day, FCDO Services works to help protect people, information and assets all over the world. Supporting government-level customers, we offer a diverse range of services from secure logistics to construction to expertise in cyber security, and more. So whether it’s making a delivery of secure technology across continents, repairing embassies hit by flooding, or helping a government install new secure communications, we’re constantly at work to help protect the UK’s interests both at home and overseas.

It goes without saying, therefore, that life supporting our directors and their teams is both fast-paced and full of opportunities to make an impact. That kind of support needs someone who is proactive and has impeccable communication and organisational skills along with strong attention to detail.

Job description

Adapt to change - and change your outlook

Our work is tied to international affairs, and that means being ready for change, with the calm flexibility to reprioritise and rearrange at any time. Considering the vast range of vital services and projects we’re involved in worldwide, your role will be critical in ensuring a FCDO Services Director’s time is managed successfully to meet daily changes and demands. This includes diary and inbox management and making sure information is provided at the right points. Naturally, that makes the role challenging, but if you’ve got the exceptional organisation skills, the experience of electronic diary management, and the drive to stay on your toes, it’s hugely rewarding.

Communicate clearly with stakeholders at every level

As one of our Executive Assistants, you’ll be in an incredibly visible position: you’ll be a direct point of contact for everyone from the most senior colleagues to external stakeholders across government. With that in mind, you’ve got to be a born communicator. Whether it’s conversation or correspondence, you’re clear, accurate and persuasive in everything you do. You collaborate well with both colleagues and customers and at the same time, you’ll be brilliant at taking information on board. You’ll listen to complex data and conversations, treat it all with confidentiality, and create accurate briefings, minutes and reports from what you learn.

Provide team support and find support to take your career higher

You’ll be there to provide Business Unit’s invaluable support and to help us keep everything running smoothly. But we’ll be there to support you too, making sure you’re able to progress your career and realise your ambitions. You’ll also enjoy great benefits here, including flexible working, an on-site nursery, a Civil Service pension, and more. And finally, most importantly, there’s that sense of purpose you’ll feel every day – because you’ll be using your skills to support a business that helps protect people, information and assets across the globe. In short, it’s your job, bigger.

All our employees have to be security cleared before joining us, so you’ll need to undergo a vetting process if you’re successful in your application. This role would require you to undergo Security Clearance (SC). You can find out more about vetting on our website.

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world.

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.


Hanslope Park based posts attract a Location Allowance of £1,750 per annum.

FCDO Services are regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

Person specification

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience


Essential:

  • Experience in working with customers or stakeholders
  • Ability to working to deadlines without direct supervision
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills – including building relationships and communicating remotely
  • Experience of minute-taking
  • Positive and proactive attitude
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Attention to detail Ability to deliver results under pressure and respond to changing priorities.
  • Ability to influence stakeholders to deliver results
  • Ability to use a variety of formats to present data and information clearly.
  • Tact, confidentiality and discretion
  • Experience of using Microsoft Office Suite

Desirable:

  • Previous experience as an EA or PA
  • Experience of providing secretariat support to boards
  • Some understanding of financial data
  • Previous experience as an EA or PA
  • Basic understanding of project management tools and techniques
  • Understanding of FCDO Services business area
  • Planning overseas trips for Senior Leaders
  • Experience of government or other large organisations
  • Experience of requisitioning via an ORACLE system
  • Experience of analysing data and providing recommendations for best course of action
  • Basic understanding of project management tools and techniques
  • Understanding of FCDO Services business areas

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,392, FCDO Services contributes £7,665 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

Shortlisting will be conducted against the Job Specific Skills, Knowledge & Experience outlined in the Role Profile.

 

Interviews will be conducted using a mixture of Behaviours and Job Specific questions and a Job specific exercise.



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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.

Added: 9 months ago