About the job

Job summary

It is a particularly exciting time to join the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). As the UK’s principal competition and consumer protection authority it is our job to ensure that markets work well and that consumers get a fair deal. We have a vital role to play in relation to many important challenges facing the UK, including improving productivity, economic growth, and the resilience of our economy; mitigating cost of living pressures; as well as addressing the power of large digital firms and the potentially unprecedented opportunities and risks of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.

In this context, the CMA has recently established a new Executive Directorate for Data, Technology, and Insight (DTI), which consolidates our capability and activity across these areas of growing importance. This includes our expertise in data science, data engineering, artificial intelligence, behavioural science, technology insight, and digital forensics, as well as technology systems, architecture, digital products and tooling.

About the Competition and Markets Authority

We help people, businesses, and the UK economy by promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour. Our work is wide ranging, ambitious and often new and challenging.

You can read more about working at the CMA in our candidate pack.

Job description

The role holder will support and facilitate the operation of senior management and other cross-directorate meetings. They will be the key link between the ED and the rest of the organisation, including the CMA Chair and Chief Executive, her peers in the Senior Executive Team (SET), wider colleagues across the CMA’s senior leadership, Board, panels, and external stakeholders.

The role holder will be expected to identify upcoming risks and challenges and to provide sound advice to the ED on how best to manage them. As time permits, and in response to the ED’s requirements, the role holder will have the opportunity to take on additional delivery responsibilities in relation to strategic, operational or other projects within the Directorate.  

Person specification

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application. For tips on how to make the most your application, please have a look at our guidance document.

Essential: Evidence of strong administrative and organisational skills ideally in a similar role providing executive level support, with experience of successfully prioritising multiple work tasks to meet strict deadlines. (lead criteria) Ability to work strategically and effectively as part of a team, being responsible for own workload and supporting others in the delivery of work. (lead criteria) Proficient with document production and document management in a timely and accurate manner, with the ability to pay strict attention to detail at all times, and excellent ICT capability and skills, particularly with Microsoft Office programmes. Strong relationship management skills, the ability to build a network of contacts and relationships both internally and externally and to present information for varying audiences. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Evidence of strong communication and influencing skills, with experience of representing organisations to external stakeholders, identifying risks, challenges and tailoring communications according to the needs of different audiences.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,000, Competition & Markets Authority contributes £13,486 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.

The selection process will comprise of the sift (CV & application review) and interview.

An initial sift based on lead criteria 1 and 2 may be held if a large number of applications are received.

If your application then progresses to a full sift, all elements of the essential criteria listed under Person Specification of the role profile will then be considered.

The sifting dates are 20th to 23rd August 2024.

If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend an interview.

The first part of the interview will be an assessment, details shall be shared nearer the time. This will be followed by a 50-55 minute panel interview and questions based on the behaviours, experience and values specified in the role profile will be asked. 

Interviews will be held either on Microsoft Teams or in-person at the Cabot. 

Interviews will be held week commencing 02 September 2024, if there's any change to these dates, candidates shall be notified. 

Reasonable adjustments

You will be notified via email to log-in to your Civil Service Account to book your interview slot. You will then be sent an email with full details of your arrangements for interview.

We want to make sure no one is at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition, or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process.

For example, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional. You might also require additional time to complete a timed assessment or a sign language interpreter to support with the relaying of information.

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.