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This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.

General Information

Salary
£40,014 - £42,859
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
16-Mar-2026
Post Type
Detached Duty, Loan
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
15183

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen as an Assistant Private Secretary (HEO, London based) in the Private Office to the Advocate General. There is also a possibility that an equivalent post in the Scotland Office will be appointed from this recruitment exercise. 

General information

Salary: £40,014-42,859 plus Private Office allowance of £5,799 per year

Civil Service Grade: Higher Executive Officer

Location: London

Post Type: Loan (two years plus one year possible extension)

Working Pattern: Full time

Number of jobs available: 1

Vacancy approach: Cross Government, open to Higher Executive Officers and Executive Officers on temporary promotion

The Department

The Advocate General is a UK Government Minister and Law Officer. She provides legal advice to Government departments on a wide range of issues, including human rights and constitutional matters. She is the Government’s principal legal adviser on Scots law and the Scottish devolution settlement. She is also a member of a Cabinet committee and undertakes parliamentary work on behalf of Government. The Advocate General is based in Edinburgh, with regular visits to London.

In addition to supporting the Advocate General, the Office of the Advocate General (OAG) is the UK Government’s Scottish legal team. It has staff based in Dover House in Whitehall and Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh.

Private Office is an energetic and busy team with exposure to a wide variety of the most high-profile and interesting matters within Government. It is the interface between the Minister and her department, wider Government and external stakeholders. Private Office comprises a Senior Private Secretary and Assistant Private Secretary (with diary responsibilities) based in Whitehall, and an Assistant Private Secretary based in Edinburgh.

The Role

We are looking for a highly-organised individual with enthusiasm for their work, who has a keen eye for detail and is able to work independently. You will work closely with the Minister, with the ability to identify and implement improved ways of working. You will be a team player who will be able to balance competing priorities and a fast-paced workload.  You will have the ability to horizon scan by building a sophisticated understanding of the relevant contacts and organisations relevant to the work of the Advocate General allowing you to anticipate and respond quickly to emerging issues. You will build strong relationships and effectively communicate with the Minister and senior officials across Government, including No.10, and a range of external stakeholders.

The key responsibilities of the role include:  

  • Contribute to the delivery of a professional and high-quality private office service to the Minister: leading on logistics for meetings and engagements; timely provision of information and briefings; support for meetings and engagements; making travel arrangements; effective and strategic diary management, including leading regular meetings with minister to coordinate the diary.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships across the department, wider Government, and external stakeholders, being assertive and confident in advocating and driving forward the Minister’s priorities as well as protecting and promoting her interests.
  • Engage with the wider office and other departments to secure the timely provision of effective advice and support to the Minister.
  • Lead on various portfolio areas in Private Office, including engagements in London and overseas.
  • Contribute to delivery of the wider responsibilities of Private Office as appropriate, including communications and cover for the Senior Private Secretary.

 The role is based in Dover House, London. The role involves:

  • Some travel to the UK Government’s hub in Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth House (approximately once every eight to twelve weeks), and occasional travel accompanying the Advocate General on visits to other parts of the UK or abroad;
  • Some evening and weekend working, with a team rota for weekend duty;
  • In person working when business needs require and in accordance with in office attendance policy.

 Person Specification

 The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate skills and experience against the following essential criteria:

  • Excellent team player, who is able to both collaborate effectively and work independently.
  • A great communicator, with strong interpersonal and team working skills, and experience of building strong working relationships with Ministers and/or senior officials.
  • An effective decision maker, strong organisational skills and detail orientated, with capacity to absorb large volumes of information and possessing sound judgment under pressure.
  • Experience ofdelivering a high-quality service, driving forward multiple priorities simultaneously, and ability to identify and implement improved ways of working.

Experience working in a private office is desirable but not essential. The successful candidate does not need to have legal experience.

This role is open Cross Government to Higher Executive Officers and Executive Officers on temporary promotion.

Additional Information

The Office of the Advocate General (OAG) is not an employer in its own right. On appointment, the holder of the role will be an employee of the Ministry of Justice, which provides employment services on behalf of OAG, but this is not a role in the Ministry of Justice.

The vacancy will be filled on loan for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of a one year extension by mutual agreement. If the incumbent is applying on temporary promotion, they will revert to their previous substantive grade and salary after the loan.

The transfer would be considered voluntary and so would not attract excess fares, travel costs or relocation costs.

It is envisaged that the successful candidate will take up the role in April or May.

Candidates should discuss the loan with management at their home department prior to application. Upon acceptance of the role, we will require confirmation that management in the home department are content to release the successful candidate.

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours 

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits 

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension 

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training 

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks 

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Eligibility

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.

Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 15183

Office of the Advocate General

To discuss this role, please contact James Gaughan (james.gaughan@advocategeneral.gov.uk)

Allowance

Private Office allowance of £5,799 per year in addition to salary.

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
The Statement of Suitability should demonstrate that the candidate meets the essential criteria for the post (see Person Specification in Job Description).
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Envisaged week commencing 23 March
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Working Together
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Level of security checks required
Security Clearance (SC)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.