Private Secretary for Trade, International, Defence and National Security to the Secretary of State for Scotland (Scotland Office)

The Role

The Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland supports the Secretary of State in promoting the best interests of Scotland within a stronger United Kingdom. It ensures Scottish interests are fully and effectively represented at the heart of the UK Government, and the UK Government’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Scotland.

We are seeking a motivated and ambitious individual to join the Private Office Directorate as Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Scotland. The successful candidate’s portfolio will focus specifically on trade, international, defence and national security - working closely with the Secretary of State, Principal Private Secretary, Special Advisors and officials within the Scotland Office.

We are looking for someone with impeccable organisational skills, strong written and verbal briefing skills, confidence in their own judgement and strong political awareness. They will possess the ability to work independently at pace, driving progress on issues across Whitehall on behalf of the Secretary of State. The Scotland Office is a small department and delivery often requires drawing upon wider cross-Whitehall networks and ability to deliver through others.

This role provides exposure to strategic decision-making, as well as offering significant responsibility and autonomy. You will need to be flexible and responsive to ministerial direction, take pride in high quality and timely work and have a proven track record for delivering in a pressurised environment. In return, we will offer you a collaborative and trusting working environment, with a strong team culture and clear sense of purpose and objective.

Private Office roles require you to work some unsocial hours - including weekends - when required. For this, a Private Office Allowance is payable to the successful applicant while in post.

Key Responsibilities:

• Delivering a sleek, professional and high standard of service to the Secretary of State in a high-pressure environment.

• Building close working relationships with officials across the Scotland Office and developing an extensive cross-whitehall network within your brief.

• Identifying potential issues at an early stage, being mindful of political sensitivities and keeping Ministers and senior colleagues across the department appraised.

• Taking responsibility and ownership for the quality of advice that goes to the Secretary of State. Working with officials during the policy process to communicate preferences and actively shape advice, using your network to support policy making where necessary.

• Commissioning briefing and submissions, providing background and handling advice and producing thoughtful and high quality box notes to guide decision making and provide essential context.

• Working closely with officials and Special Advisors to translate the Secretary of State’s asks into tangible and deliverable action.

• Working creatively and kindly, remaining cogniscient of the resourcing pressures unique to a small Office.

Skills

Essential:

• Experience working in a pressurised, fast paced environment which requires high levels of personal organisation and resilience.

• Experience working in one or all of: international affairs, trade, defence and national security.

Desirable:

• Experience working in a private office, either directly or through working as a locum.

Following the interview, there may be a further stage of the selection process whereby candidates will meet the Principal.

Additional Information

This is a permanent position to replace a leaver. If you would like to discuss this role further, please contact our Principal Private Secretary hannah.payne1@ukgovscotland.gov.uk to arrange a call.

The role is at Grade SEO level and will be based in the Scotland Office in our London site, Dover House. The role comes with an additional stipend, known as a Private Office Allowance. The Scotland Office is not an employer in its own right. Staff recruited to work at the Scotland Office will be employees of the Ministry of Justice who provide employment services on our behalf, but this is not a role within the Ministry of Justice itself.

The relevant candidate would require SC with a view to getting DV once in post.

Private Office Expectations

As the role is within a Private Office, the role requires an ability to work in a fast-paced environment and sometimes to work unsociable hours.

The role will be based in London, and will require:

• Regular in-person responsibilities

• Frequent travel around Scotland and internationally to support the Minister on visits and meetings with key stakeholders.

• Unsociable hours, including the team rota for weekend duty

As such, the role includes a Private Office allowance. The role is not suitable for part-time or job share.

Sift

• 750 word Personal Statement

• CV

Interview

• Delivering at Pace

• Seeing the Bigger Picture

• Making Effective Decisions

• Communicating and Influencing

• Strengths: Communicator, Adaptable, Resilient