About the job

Job summary

The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) provides independent advice to those leaving senior government roles. You may have seen ACOBA in the news or read about our work in the context of possible reforms in the ethical regulations landscape, alongside other independent bodies. Our role is to consider the risks to the integrity of government when those most senior in government leave to join external organisations and – rightly – our work is closely scrutinised by the media, academics and parliamentarians. 

This is an exciting time to join our team and help deliver a government priority. We seek two individuals to collaboratively lead casework, both working with the team of 4-6 Policy and Casework Officers producing advice and recommendations under the government’s business appointment rules. These roles are focussed on producing quality advice, allowing ACOBA to make timely, robust, high profile decisions focussed on protecting government integrity. You will use expert knowledge, analysis and judgement, communicating effectively with a wide and varied audience. Working in the team to support the Committee will offer you the opportunity to work across government to manage the risks associated with potential conflicts of interest between an individual’s time in office and their new external appointment.

We are proud of the work we do and how we support each other to deliver impactful decisions in a reactive environment. We have spent time reflecting on our values – Independent, Respectful and Expert – and how we embody these in our work. We invest considerable time in how we make decisions so staff can be confident in the judgements they are making. We pride ourselves on our supportive culture where staff can safely test their thinking, including with someone outside of their own team. 

Our most recent People Survey results put My Manager at 88% and Inclusion and Fair Treatment at 97%. You will be fully supported to make a valuable contribution to the team and to your own development during your time with us.

Job description

This is an important and exciting role within a high-profile, independent non-departmental public body. The successful candidates have the potential to make a significant impact by supporting senior stakeholders, including the ACOBA Chair and Committee Members, Permanent Secretaries and Ministers. 

These roles suit individuals who: are intellectually curious, able to work with discretion, possess sound judgement, and can critically assess information and build strong relationships with stakeholders. 

Key responsibilities

You will be

1. Identifying and evaluating risks, and rapidly researching a broad range of topics, to make clear, evidence-based decisions or proposals 
2. Producing clear, accurate and concise drafting on individual cases, and reviewing material produced by others, to ensure recommendations to the Policy and Casework Manager, Head of ACOBA, Chair and Committee members are made in accordance with the Rules, ACOBA’s guidance and precedent. 
3. Leading on Freedom of Information Act compliance, correspondence from Members of Parliament, and media enquiries - liaising with the Press Officer where required.
4. Supporting the Policy and Casework Manager and Head of ACOBA to define ambitious strategic objectives for ACOBA.
5. Leading on development of policy positions and precedent to support continuous improvement in line with ACOBA’s strategic and objectives.
6. Supporting the team to improve understanding of the Rules and departments’ compliance with ACOBA’s approach. 
7. Proactively working across the team to ensure the team, Chair and senior officials are prepared for external engagement - developing key messages, preparing briefings and presentations. 
8. Contributing to a positive team culture.

We are an expert, friendly and impactful team with a highly collaborative ethos. Our excellent staff survey results demonstrate our great emphasis on wellbeing and providing career development opportunities. 

Person specification

We are looking for applicants who have the ability to: 

• think critically, using strong analytical skills to make judgements based on evidence within a framework of rules and guidance. 
• inspire and coach team members, empowering a high-performing team and individual.
• balance multiple competing priorities, ensuring that key customers and stakeholders are kept informed. 
• communicate complex information objectively and persuasively – both orally and in writing – to help people at all levels make the right decisions and to convey messaging externally.
• contribute to a positive team culture, leading an inclusive and high performance team.

Additional information:

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,500, Cabinet Office contributes £12,015 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 Strengths.

Application process

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Strengths. 

Selection process

You will be asked to complete four 250-word behaviour statements. Details of what this will entail are provided on the application form.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

Interviews will be blended, i.e. candidates will be assessed against the behaviours indicated in this advert and on strengths. Strength-based questions are ones in which we wish to gauge your initial response. Shortlisted candidates may also be asked to complete a written test.

Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – w/c 22 July 2024
Expected interview date/s – w/c 5 August 2024
Interview location - 1 Horse Guards Road, London

Reasonable Adjustment

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 Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

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 CTC clearance, which would normally need 3 years’ UK residency in the past 3 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.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. 

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

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 counter-terrorist 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.