Deputy Director, Northern Ireland Office
SCS Pay Band 1
Closing Date: 23:55, Sunday 15th March 2026
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Contents
Person
Introduction
The Role
Benefits
Specification
Recruitment
Diversity &
FAQs
Contact Us
Process
Inclusion
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Welcome to the Northern Ireland Office (NIO)
Thank you for your
Based in London and Belfast, we provide
Our work is often high profile and never far
the best possible advice and support we
from the media. This comes with
interest in joining the NIO
can to our Ministerial team, led by the
challenges as well as exciting opportunities
team
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the
to share the work that we do. It requires us
UK Cabinet minister with lead responsibility
to deliver through our civil service values
for all matters Northern Ireland.
and with an appreciation of the significance
and sensitivity of the work that we do. It is
We have achieved a lot over the past year,
also extremely rewarding. Few
not least supporting and enabling the
organisations can offer careers with the
successful restoration of the Northern
potential to make such a direct impact on
Ireland Executive. Our work is highly
society, working closely with a Ministerial
stimulating and fast moving, politically and
team. You may be working in the civil
operationally. It also demands sensitivity
service or in wider public service, or indeed
and patience.
elsewhere. If you have the skills,
As a department with the benefit of being
experience, ambition and energy to join this
small and expert, we work best together,
team I look forward to your application.
and in a way that reflects the deep
Dr Julie Harrison
interconnections between the issues in
Northern Ireland. In practice, this means
Permanent Secretary, Northern Ireland
we: plan for outcomes; deliver through
Office
projects; and organise through our
relationships and expertise
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About the Northern Ireland Office
The purpose of the Secretary of State for
through supporting and ensuring the
Northern Ireland and the NIO (UKG’s
effective functioning of the devolved
centre of expertise on Northern Ireland) has
institutions; keeping people safe from the
remained the same, whether or not the
threats of terrorism and organised
Executive is functioning, since the
criminality; supporting the delivery of a
Assembly met in 1999. That purpose is to
growing economy; helping to reduce
ensure that Northern Ireland is secure, with
community divisions; building mutual trust
stable and effective devolved institutions,
and establishing meaningful
improving community relations and a
interculturalism.
growing economy.
The Northern Ireland Office employs
We are a small Ministerial Department with
around 160 staff, with offices in Belfast and
big responsibilities - delivered primarily
London. As a small Department, we adopt
through the purposeful application of
a flexible project-based approach to ensure
expertise, organisation and relationships.
that we have the right people, with the right
skills, in the right place to support the
The department supports the Secretary of
delivery of our key objectives.
State and the wider Ministerial team to
deliver the Prime Minister’s priorities in
For more information about what we do,
Northern Ireland. It ensures Northern
visit:
Ireland issues are fully and effectively
represented at Westminster and across
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisatio
Government - and that the Government’s
ns/northern-ireland-office
responsibilities are fully and effectively
represented in Northern Ireland. We do this
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About the role
Job Title
successful applicants will be appointed at
Ministerial and business priorities,
the band minimum of £81,000.
engaging with a variety of teams and
Deputy Director
individuals including external stakeholders
Existing Civil Servants will be appointed in
Location
and officials across Whitehall. It will afford
line with the Civil Service pay rules in place
you an unrivalled insight into the workings
Belfast or London
on the date of their appointment.
of the wider Department, Whitehall and the
Please note the requirements for travel and
Contract Type
operation of devolved government in
level of flexibility available as set out in the
Northern Ireland.
This role is offered as a two year-loan,
FAQs section.
secondment or fixed-term contract with the
Key Responsibilities
Future Opportunities
option to extend for a third year.
• The effective management and
If you are not the successful candidate but
The Role
leadership of the policy team. Taking a
meet the required standard, you may be
strategic approach to our policy
This is a challenging and demanding role
invited to join a merit list for consideration
commitments and implementation and
but also a rewarding one. It offers a unique
for future SCS vacancies. The Northern
working with other areas of the business
and exciting opportunity to play a pivotal
Ireland Office is currently undergoing
to deliver NIO’s departmental aims.
role leading the delivery of our
organisational changes that may lead to
departmental objectives. You will be
• Ensuring a first-class service across in
additional opportunities. Any future roles
responsible for leading one of our core
the policy team that supports Ministers
are expected to be based in London or
policy teams, responsible for their personal
and enables collaboration and the
Belfast, with frequent travel between both
development and ensuring they can retain
provision of accurate and timely advice
locations.
high standards and resilience through
from across the department.
Salary
competing priorities and demands. This
• Play an active role in the leadership of
role will put you at the heart of the NIO,
The salary for this role is set within the SCS
the department as an active member of
coordinating, enabling and helping to steer
Payband 1 range. It is expected that
the Senior Management Team.
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Champion diversity, inclusion and
wellbeing across the department.
• Build partnerships with stakeholders
including other Whitehall and NI
departments. Represent the views of
the Secretary of State, Ministers and
senior officials credibly with key policy
stakeholders, both within and outside
Government.
• Developing and maintain a high-
performing team, playing a crucial role
in the management and development of
our people to ensure everyone reaches
their full potential.
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Organogram
Linda Hamilton
Director for Security, International and Politics
Holly Clark
Chief Operating Officer
Northern Ireland Office
Julie Harrison
Senior Management Team
Permanent Secretary
Gillian Morton
Director for Growth, Transformation, and
Sustainable Institutions
Ruth Sloan
Director for Strategy
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Person Specification
It is important through the recruitment
Essential Experience:
MoJ SCS Pay Band 1 Behaviours:
process that you give evidence and
•
examples of proven experience of each of
Lead Criteria - Leadership experience of a
You will also be assessed against the following
the essential and desirable criteria.
high-performing team to deliver quality
Behaviours during the Recruitment Process:
policy objectives.
Later on in the pack you will be told what is
• Seeing the Big Picture
•
being assessed at which stage of the
A proven ability to communicate effectively
• Leadership
process.
with external stakeholders, senior leaders,
and ministers.
• Making Effective Decisions
• Creative problem-solving and the ability to
• Communicating and Influencing
address complex issues strategically.
Read more in the Civil Service Success
• Strong analytical skills and proof of
Profiles Section.
evidence-based decision making.
• Experience of cross-organisational
engagement and ability to influence
decision-making at senior levels.
Desirable Experience:
• An understanding of the Northern Ireland
political system and the work of the
Northern Ireland Executive would be
advantageous but is not essential.
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The Recruitment Process
Recruitment Process
Application
Find out more information about our
application process here.
The selection process will be chaired by Linda You will need to complete the online
Hamilton, Director for Security, International
application process accessed via the
After the Application Stage
and Politics. The other panel members will be: advertisement for this role.
You will be advised whether your application
• Gillian Morton, Director for Growth,
This should be completed no later than 23:55
has been shortlisted for the next stage of the
Transformation, and Sustainable
on Sunday 15th March 2026. As part of the
selection process. If you are shortlisted, we will
Institutions
application process, you will be asked to
contact you to arrange the next stage of the
complete:
•
selection process.
To Be Confirmed
1. Responses to the eligibility questions to
In the event we receive a high volume of
Support during the selection process
check you are eligible to apply for the role. applications, we will conduct the initial sift
If you need any support or have any questions 2. A response to whether you would like to
against the following lead criteria:
during any stage of the selection process,
request reasonable adjustments during
the selection process. The Disability
please contact the SCS Recruitment Team
- Leadership experience of a high-performing
Support section explains how adjustments
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
team to deliver quality policy objectives
can be made to the selection process to
Stages of the selection process
accommodate a disability.
Unfortunately, due to the anticipated number of
3. You will also need to complete a CV and
applicants for this role, we are unable to
Internal Stakeholder Conversations
Statement of Suitability. It is important
provide feedback to those not successful at
You are invited to arrange an informal
that your CV and Statement of Suitability
shortlist stage. Candidates who are shortlisted
discussion with Linda Hamilton to learn more
give evidence and examples of how you
and attend an interview will be offered verbal
about the role and the organisation before
meet the essential experience set out on
feedback from a member of the interview
applying. This is not part of the assessed
page 8. The Statement of Suitability should panel.
elements of the selection process.
be no more than 1000 words.
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Panel Interview and Presentation
future roles are expected to be based in
London or Belfast, with frequent travel between
You will be invited to attend an interview and
both locations.
presentation with the selection panel. You will
be asked to prepare a verbal 5-minute
presentation based on a topic that will be
provided in advance. The interview and
presentation will last for approximately 45
minutes. The interviews will be held in NIO’s
Belfast and London offices.
What is being assessed?
Behaviours, as listed on page 8.
After the Panel Interview
Following the interview, the performance of all
candidates will be reviewed, and the
successful candidate identified. All candidates
will be notified of the outcome as soon as
possible after the conclusion of all interviews.
Future Opportunities
If you are not the successful candidate but
meet the required standard, you may be invited
to join a merit list for consideration for future
SCS vacancies. The Northern Ireland Office is
currently undergoing organisational changes
that may lead to additional opportunities. Any
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Civil Service Behaviours
What are Behaviours?
Leadership
others to incorporate views and professional
expertise, ensuring appropriate individuals are
The Civil Service recruits using Success
You visibly demonstrate the organisation’s
involved in the decision-making process.
Profiles and Behaviours are an element of
values in all your activity, leading authentically.
Success Profiles used to see whether
You seek to engage staff in the aims of the
Communicating and Influencing
candidates are able demonstrate specific
organisation and communicate the
Behaviours associated with the role they are
organisation’s strategy in an inspiring way. You You communicate clearly and with confidence,
applying for during the selection process.
create an inclusive and fair culture which
both verbally and in writing. You are open,
creates a sense of belonging by treating staff
honest and transparent in your
In this process the below Behaviours are most as individuals and actively valuing diversity
communications. You communicate effectively
relevant to this role and will be assessed
within the organisation. You empower teams
with internal and external senior stakeholders
during the interview stage of the process. The
and individuals to excel by creating a shared
to present information in a convincing and
definitions of Behaviours are set out below:
vision and objectives and demonstrate trust in influential manner. You tailor your
communication methods and content to the
Seeing the Big Picture
staff by giving autonomy
audience, simplifying strategic messages.
You understand the wider context of the
Making Effective Decisions
Please click here or more information on
organisation’s work, considering the political,
You make defensible, objective and fair high-
Behaviours and Success Profiles.
social, economic, and technological
impact decisions, considering the impact on
environment both currently and in the future.
the service user and wider organisation. You
You create and implement strategies to
are willing to take ownership of your decisions,
achieve the organisation’s aims and meet the
being transparent and open about the reasons
needs of the public. You promote the
for them. You effectively analyse data to make
organisation externally, advocating positive
evidence-based decisions, whilst being
outcomes for the sector you operate within.
comfortable taking considered risks based on
You motivate staff by ensuring they understand the best evidence available. You consult with
how their work fits into the big picture.
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Guidance for writing your Statement and CV
As part of the application process, you need to
experience required for the role and describe Providing a name-blind CV and Success
submit a Statement and CV. Both your
the outcome that came from this.
Profile Statements
Statement and CV should demonstrate how
In both your CV and Success Profile
you meet the essential experience outlined in
Using AI in your application
Statements please remove references to any
the Person Specification section.
personal information that could identify you.
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to
For example:
Ensure you read through the role information
support your application, however, all
thoroughly and identify the essential criteria for
• Name and title
examples and statements provided must be
each area. You should ensure you provide
truthful, factually accurate and taken directly
• Educational institution names
evidence for each of the essential experience
from your own experience. Where plagiarism
• Age and gender
which are required for the role in your
has been identified (presenting the ideas and
• Email address
Statement and CV. You may not be
experiences of others, or generated by artificial • Postal address and telephone number
progressed to the next stage of the
intelligence, as your own) applications may be
assessment process if you do not provide this
withdrawn and internal candidates may be
• Nationality and immigration status.
evidence.
subject to disciplinary action.
This will help us to recruit based on your
knowledge and skills, and not on your
When structuring your Statements try to:
Please see our candidate guidance for more
background, gender or ethnicity. Recruiting this
information on appropriate and inappropriate
• Evidence your experience by using
way is called name-blind recruitment.
use.
subheadings and paragraphs. This will help
For more information on how to write your
to ensure you are writing about the
Statement and CV please visit the Civil Service
experience that is directly relevant for the
Careers Website
role you are applying for.
• You should ensure that you detail recent and
relevant examples of the essential
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Expected Timeline
We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews. You are
therefore asked to note the below timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process, in order to meet the dates given.
Please note that these dates may be subject to change.
The anticipated timetable is as follows:
Advert Closing Date
23:55 on Sunday 15th March 2026
Outcome of CV and Statement of Suitability
Week commencing 23rd March 2026
Panel Interview and Presentation
Week commencing 30th March 2026
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Working for the Northern Ireland Office (NIO)
themselves, to feel supported and have a
privilege entitlement to mark the King’s
strong sense of belonging in the workplace.
Birthday.
Our commitment to creating a diverse and
inclusive workforce is reflected in all of our
Flexible Working
people policies and strategies.
While not every type of flexible working will be
Benefits
suitable for every role and business area,
flexible working can take many forms and The
As an NIO employee, you’ll be entitled to a
Ministry of Justice is committed to delivering its
large range of benefits which include but are
business effectively and sustainably by
not limited to:
creating modern and inclusive workplaces that
enable smart, flexible and hybrid working.
Pension
For more information on our amazing benefits
The Civil Service Pension Scheme is one of
including our Civil Service Pension Scheme,
the best workplace pension schemes in the UK annual and special leave, and our Equality,
public sector. Visit
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing
Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing schemes
www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk for
please visit our Senior Civil Service website.
Our departmental values - purpose, humanity, more details.
openness and together - are at the heart of our Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday
commitment to create a culture where all our
Allowance
people are able to thrive and flourish in the
workplace.
25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a
sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service.
We want to attract and retain the best talent
This is in addition to 8 public holidays. This will
from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
be complemented by one further day paid
We want everyone to be the best of
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Disability Support
What reasonable adjustments can be made • An interview at a certain time of day.
recruitment team at
if I have a disability?
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
This is not an exhaustive list but rather some
We are committed to supporting all candidates examples of how we can support you during
Do you offer a Disability Confident Scheme
to take part in the recruitment process. This
the SCS Recruitment Process.
for Disabled Persons?
includes supporting individuals who have a
disability by making reasonable adjustments to
As a Disability Confident employer, the MoJ
Whilst we aim to confirm all adjustments
the recruitment process.
offer an interview to disabled candidates who
requested, there may be occasions where this meet the minimum selection criteria, except in
If you feel you require any kind of support
isn’t possible. If an adjustment cannot be
a limited number of campaigns. This could be
and/or would like to discuss this with someone, provided, the reasons for this will be explained in terms of the advertised essential skills
please indicate ‘yes’ to requesting reasonable
to you.
and/or application form sift criteria. Within the
adjustments in your application form and
Help with your application
application form, you will be asked if you would
ensure that you respond to the Reasonable
like to be considered for an interview under this
Adjustments Scheme team by email.
It is important you contact us as early as
scheme, so please make us aware of this
possible by email if you would like to request
when prompted
How we can support you
reasonable adjustments so that the recruitment
There are many types of reasonable
process runs smoothly for you.
adjustments that can be made during
If you do decide during the process that you do
assessment processes.
require adjustments and you have not
Examples of some types of adjustments
completed all your assessments, please
include:
contact the SCS recruitment team in advance
of your next assessment.
• Extra time to complete assessments.
• Providing a break within an assessment.
If you have any questions in advance of
• Providing interview questions in a written
making your application regarding reasonable
format at the interview as well as orally.
adjustments, please contact the SCS
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FAQs
Can I apply if I am not currently a
Am I eligible to apply for this role?
Should you feel that the recruitment process
civil servant?
has breached the recruitment principles and
For information on whether you are eligible to
you wish to make a complaint, you should
Yes.
apply, please visit Gov.UK.
contact scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk in the
Is this role suitable for part-time working?
Is security clearance required?
first instance.
This role is available for full-time or flexible
Yes. If successful you must hold, or be willing
If you are not satisfied with the response you
working arrangements (including job shares).
to obtain, security clearance to SC level. You
receive from the Department, you are able to
To discuss your needs in more detail please
should also note that future posts that may
raise a formal complaint in the following order.
get in touch with the SCS Recruitment Team.
become available may require DV clearance.
1. To Shared Service-Connected Ltd (0845
More information about the vetting process can
Where will the role be based?
241 5358 (Monday to Friday 08.00 - 18.00)
be found here.
or e-mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-
If successful you will be based in Belfast or
Will this role be overseen by the Civil
enquiries@gov.sscl.com)
London.
Service Commission?
2. To Ministry of Justice Resourcing
Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.
No. However, the recruitment process will still
(resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk)
Regular travel between Belfast and London will be governed by the Civil Service Commission’s 3. To the Civil Service Commission
be required for this role.
Recruitment Principles.
(https://civilservicecommission.independent
Can I claim back any expenses incurred
What do I do if I want to make a complaint?
.gov.uk/contact-us/)
during the recruitment process?
The law requires that selection for appointment What should I do if I think that I have a
Unfortunately, we will not be able to reimburse to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of
conflict of interest?
you, except in exceptional circumstances.
fair and open competition as outlined in the
If you believe that you may have a conflict of
Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment
interest you must declare it by contacting SCS
Principles.
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Recruitment on scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk
before submitting your application.
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Data Sharing
We will ensure that we will treat all improve these experiences, and ultimately
2. Processing is of a specific category of
organisation performance.
personal data and it is necessary for the
personal information in accordance
purposes of identifying or keeping under
with data protection legislation,
Sensitive personal data is personal data
review the existence or absence of equality
revealing racial or ethnic origin, political
including the General Data
of opportunity or treatment between groups
opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or
of people with a view to enabling such
Protection Regulation and Data
trade union membership, and the processing of
equality to be promoted or maintained.
genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of
Protection Act 2018.
uniquely identifying a natural person, data
3. Please note if you are successful in your
Data Sharing
concerning health or data concerning a natural
application your sensitive personal data will
person's sex life or sexual orientation.
be used as part of the on-boarding process
To process your application your personal data
to build your employee record.
The legal basis for processing your
will be shared with the Ministry of Justice SCS sensitive personal data is:
For further information please see the GDPR
Recruitment Team, campaign Panel Members
Privacy Notice.
and anyone else necessary as part of the
1. Processing is necessary for reasons of
recruitment process.
substantial public interest for the exercise
of a function of the Crown, a Minister of the
The legal basis for processing your
Crown, or a government department: it is
personal data is:
important to know if groups of staff with
Processing is necessary for the performance of
specific demographic characteristics have a
a task carried out in the public interest.
better or worse experience of working for
Personal data are processed in the public
the Civil Service, so that appropriate action
interest because understanding civil servant
can be taken to level this experience;
experiences and feelings about working in the
Civil Service can inform decision taken to
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Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent where it is found. To learn more, please see the Civil Service People Plan and
the Civil Service D&I Strategy
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Contact us
Should candidates like to discuss the role in more detail before
submitting an application, please contact SCS Recruitment on
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
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