Head of Ceremonial (Ref: 85296)
Northern Ireland Office
About the job
Job summary
Please refer to Job DescriptionJob description
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
Department NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE
Post Vacant Head of Ceremonial
Location Belfast
Duration Permanent
Applications Invited From External, level transfer, on promotion
Closing Date 27th March 2024
Who we are
Inclusion and diversity
The Northern Ireland Office 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 Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, as they are under-represented within the NIO at this level.
The Northern Ireland Office 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 hold a Diversity & Inclusion Charter Mark and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader organisation. In March 2018 we won the award for Best Employer for Diversity & Equality in Northern Ireland (small employer category) in a Gala Award ceremony hosted by Legal-Island, a multi-award winning workplace compliance company based in Northern Ireland. 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.
What we do
Background:
The Northern Ireland Office 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; and representing NI interests, including on the border with Ireland, following the 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.
About the Role:
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead on the Department's planning for BRIDGES including LONDON BRIDGE and Other BRIDGE events which are likely to be high profile in Northern Ireland. Includes:
- Attendance at Cabinet Office-led XWH/Royal Household planning meetings
- Secretariat to the NIO's own BRIDGES governance structures including the Strategic (GOLD) and Operational (SILVER) planning groups
- Maintenance and oversight of the Everbridge alert system
- Management of Partners including procurement and contract management
- Development of a new version of Op SHAMROCK including the Ceremonial plan
- Testing, exercising and recces
- Ensure comprehensive planning and effective delivery for visits by members of the Royal Family, including the Secretary of State's annual Garden Party.
- Responsible for delivery of the Honours rounds for the Department and any matters relating to ceremonial medals or other awards
- Oversight of a range of other protocol issues including:
- Lord-Lieutenants (LLs), Deputy LLs,
- Car pool and management of the self-drive, including contracted supplier of chauffeur services
- Consequentials of the change of Monarch including supporting the ERII Memorialisation Committee, new Great Seal for Northern Ireland and a change in the Coat of Arms
Essential Criteria:
- An ability to communicate and influence a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
- Collaboration skills, demonstrating the ability to work effectively across boundaries to achieve organisational priorities.
- A proven track record in delivering high profile visits and/or events.
- Excellent leadership capability, able to motivate and inspire a small and very high-performing team.
Desirable Citeria:
- Experience of working with the Royal Households or in a role that requires a comprehensive understanding of royal protocol.
- Experience in finance, procurement and/or contract management.
Selection Process:
The selection and interview process will consist of two stages. Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered.
SIFT – In the event of a large number of applications, sift may take place based on the lead behaviour: Communicating and Influencing.
INTERVIEW – Candidates invited to interview will be asked to give a five minute presentation at the start of the interview, and the panel may ask some follow up questions relating to it before progressing to the rest of the interview. The title of this presentation will be provided to candidates alongside the interview invitation.
SECURITY CLEARANCE Security clearance to SC level will be 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.
FURTHER INFORMATION Further information about the post may be obtained from x
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.
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. Home Civil Service applicants who, because of disability, need assistance in completing the application form should contact MoJ Shared Services on 0845 010 3512. 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 sift stage. Feedback is available on request if unsuccessful following interview.
Addition Information
Further information about us
We are 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.
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.
Benefits include:
Interest-free season ticket and bicycle loans
Reward & Recognition scheme
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
The Northern Ireland Office operates the Guaranteed Interview 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.
Further information on civil service careers can be found at www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk 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 will 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 DescriptionBenefits
Alongside your salary of £54,358, Northern Ireland Office contributes £15,165 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%20MOJFeedback 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
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.