Skip to content
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
The national salary range is £35,335 - £37,847, London salary range is £40,014 - £42,859. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
22-May-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
17488

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Assistant Private Secretary, CDIO Office 

Location: National* 

Closing Date: 22 May 2026 

Interviews: From 04 June 2026 

Grade: HEO 

(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer) 

Salary**: London: £40,014 - £42,859; National: £35,335 - £37,847 

Working pattern:  Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Job share 

Contract Type: Permanent 

Number of vacancies: 1 

Vacancy number: 17488

 

*We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your local office. Office locations can be found ON THIS MAP 

Please note that unless you are an existing member of staff at Justice Digital, Data and Science, the only London location being recruited to is 10 South Colonnade, E14 4PU.  We are no longer recruiting to 102 Petty France, SW1H 9AJ. 

The Role 

We’re recruiting for an Assistant Private Secretary, CDIO Officehere at Justice Digital, Data and Science to be part of our warm and collaborative CDIO Office team. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing Private Office supporting the Executive Director, Chief Digital & Information Officer. You will play a central role in ensuring the Director’s time is used effectively, supporting the smooth running of the office, and contributing to a high-quality, responsive service. 

You will be joining this central leadership office at a critical point for the organisation, mobilising for significant delivery to transform the justice sector. 

Working as part of a team of six, you will help provide professional, organised and forward-looking support to the executive director, enabling them to deliver a complex and high-profile agenda. 

You’ll receive a range of excellent benefits when you join our department, including: 

  • 25 days of annual leave, (increasing to 30 days once you have reached 5 years of service), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday. 
  • Flexible working arrangements including hybrid working, working part time or compressed hours. Designed to support a positive work–life balance. 
  • Employees are allocated 10% of their working time for personal and professional development. 
  • A £1k per person learning budget is in place to support all our people, with access to best-in-class conferences and seminars, accreditation with professional bodies, fully funded vocational programmes and e-learning platforms. 
  • Compassionate maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies, with up to 26 weeks leave at full pay, 13 weeks with partial pay, and 13 weeks further leave. And maternity support/paternity leave at full pay for 2 weeks, too! 

You can find more details of the Benefits we offer here.  To help picture your life at MoJ Justice Digital, Data and Science please take a look at our blog. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Diary and time management 

  • Strategic planning of the Director’s diary, developing a high-level understanding of key departmental priorities and ensuring efficient and appropriate use of their time 
  • Proactive management of the Director’s diary, working closely with internal and external stakeholders to negotiate diary changes and resolve competing demands 
  • Provide clear recommendations on how the Director’s time should be allocated 

Briefing and daily preparation 

  • Maintain the Director’s daily notes, ensuring all meetings are supported by clear, concise and timely briefing 
  • Work with Private Office leads, delivery and corporate teams to ensure the Director has the right information at the right time 

Triage and stakeholder engagement 

  • Assess meeting requests and event invitations, providing advice and recommendations on prioritisation 
  • Ensure alignment between external engagement and organisational priorities 
  • Build effective working relationships across teams and with other private offices 

Office operations and workflow 

  • Support the management of the Director’s inbox, tracking actions and ensuring timely responses 
  • Work closely with the Private Secretary and Business Manager to maintain grip on priorities and delivery 
  • Contribute to effective systems for tracking work and managing competing demands 

Continuous improvement 

  • Identify opportunities to improve how the office operates, including reducing duplication and increasing efficiency 
  • Support and lead improvement initiatives, including exploring opportunities for automation and better use of digital tools 
  • Contribute to building a modern, resilient and forward-looking Private Office 

Incident and rota support 

  • Participate in the Private Office incident management rota 
  • Ensure appropriate senior coverage is in place and clearly communicated 

If this feels like an exciting challenge, something you are enthusiastic about, and want to join our team please read on and apply! 

Person Specification  

Essential 

 
  • Experience supporting senior leaders in a complex and fast-paced environment, including managing competing priorities, coordinating activity across teams and exercising sound judgement to support effective decision-making and efficient use of senior leaders’ time 

Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for BPSS clearance 

We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring and do not discriminate based on culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor.

Our values are Purpose, Humanity Openness and Together. Find out more here about how we celebrate diversity and an inclusive culture in our workplace.  

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 D&I Strategy. 

Salary Information**  

Base salary for this role is: 

London: £40,014 - £42,859; National: £35,335 - £37,847 

  • New entrants to the Civil Service joining the MoJ are expected to start at the minimum of the pay band. 
  • Existing Civil Servants moving on a level transfer will retain their current base salary or move to the minimum of the pay band for the role, whichever is higher. 
  • Existing Civil Servants who are promoted will either move to the bottom of the new grade’s pay band or receive a 10% uplift, whichever provides the greater increase. 

The final offer will reflect the skills and experience you demonstrate during the assessment process. 

How to Apply 

In Justice Digital, Data and Science, we recruit using a combination of the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability and Success Profiles Frameworks. We shall assess a combination of your Experience and Behaviours during the assessment process. 

Stage 1 - Application and sift: 

To apply for this position, you must submit the following as part of your application: 

  • A CV detailing your career history (including any relevant qualifications).  Your CV will be assessed against the essential criteria outlined within the Person Specification of this advert. 
  • A behaviour application answer for the Delivery at Pace behaviour (no more than 500 words) 
  • A Personal Statement (no more than 500 words) which should outline your experience and skills, giving clear examples of work undertaken. It should specifically address the following criteria, using a separate paragraph for each.  
 
  • Experience supporting senior leaders in a complex and fast-paced environment, including managing competing priorities, coordinating activity across teams and exercising sound judgement to support effective decision-making and efficient use of senior leaders’ time 
  • Delivering at Pace 

A diverse sift panel will review the information in your CV and Personal Statement to assess the sift criteria specified above.  We operate an anonymous shortlisting process. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement do not include your name or any other identifying details. 

Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply - Application Guidance 

Stage 2 - Interviews: 

Successful candidates who meet the required standard will then be invited to a panel interview held via Microsoft Teams. At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements – Experience and Behaviours: 

  • Experience supporting senior leaders in a complex and fast-paced environment, including managing competing priorities, coordinating activity across teams and exercising sound judgement to support effective decision-making and efficient use of senior leaders’ time 
  • Delivering at Pace 
  • Communicating & Influencing 
  • Making Effective Decisions 
  • Managing a Quality service 
  • Working Together 

Appointments are made strictly in merit order. In the event that two or more candidates receive identical interview scores, the following will be applied as the primary lead criterion to determine the final merit order: 

  • Experience supporting senior leaders in a complex and fast-paced environment, including managing competing priorities, coordinating activity across teams and exercising sound judgement to support effective decision-making and efficient use of senior leaders’ time 

Should you be unsuccessful in the role that you have applied for but demonstrate the capability for a role at a lower level, we reserve the right to discuss this opportunity with you and offer you the position without needing a further application. 

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, from which further appointments may be made. 

Use of Artificial Intelligence 

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. 

Terms & Conditions 

Please review our Terms and Conditions which set out how we recruit and provide further information related to the role and salary arrangements. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact digitalanddatarecruitment@justice.gov.uk 

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 17488

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
500
Delivering at Pace
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
Please outline your experience supporting senior leaders in a complex and fast-paced environment, including managing competing priorities, coordinating activity across teams and exercising sound judgement to support effective decision-making and efficient use of senior leaders’ time.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected From 04 June 2026
Behaviours
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Managing a Quality Service
Working Together
Level of security checks required
DBS Standard

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.