JOB DESCRIPTION

New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join on the minimum of the pay range.

Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.

BACKGROUND

The Northern Ireland Office supports the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in promoting the best interests of Northern Ireland. We make sure that Northern Ireland interests are represented within the UK Government and that UK government responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Northern Ireland. We are the centre of expertise on Northern Ireland issues across Government.

The Northern Ireland Office employs around 170 staff, with offices in Belfast and London. As a small Department, we adopt a flexible project-based approach to ensure that we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place to support the delivery of our key objectives.

Due to our structure and size, we are able to offer extensive exposure to Ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of policy and responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department. This creates an interesting and stimulating work environment.

Our key priorities are set out in our Operational Delivery plan and include:

• Supporting greater inclusion, tolerance and openness in Northern Ireland

• Contributing to a safer Northern Ireland, where terrorist and paramilitary groups are less able to cause harm to communities

• Ensuring that governance in Northern Ireland is responsive, transparent and able to deliver effective public service.

• Addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland

For more information about what we do:

Visit:https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/northern-ireland-office https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Keeping people safe is one of the UKG’s strategic aims and the Security & Protection Group (SPG) in the NIO delivers this through core teams working on: Policy, Strategy, Operational Delivery, Casework and Protection. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality work on issues that matter, at pace and often in challenging circumstances. All SPG colleagues have an anchor within one of the core teams, allowing them to build specialist knowledge, expertise and relationships. Everyone, regardless of grade or experience, also has the opportunity to get involved in project-based work across the group and the wider department beyond their core teams. This approach ensures we add more value, are agile enough to deliver on key departmental priorities and give everyone in SPG a wide range of developmental opportunities. We are committed to using every opportunity to continuously improve ourselves and our business outcomes. You can expect diverse, interesting and rewarding work that goes to the heart of public service and you can expect to do this in a safe space where individuals and teams are supported to deliver and encouraged to innovate, stretch, challenge and learn. SPG staff are split across our Belfast and London sites . Managing and providing leadership at a distance is an important element within this Group. You will also take on a key role in supporting your Team Leader peers in providing leadership across the group and championing the NIO and SPG’s cultural values and ethos. You should be willing to directly support other parts of the business, where required. 

We are actively recruiting for a Team Lead for Casework at present. However, as the strategic and operational environment shifts, further vacancies may arise in due course across other areas of the Group.

We are keen to use this campaign to identify exceptional talent and build a proactive recruitment pipeline for future Grade 7 Team Lead positions across SPG—an overview of these other areas is included below. Consequently, if you are successful in this competition, you could be offered a vacancy in any of these core portfolio areas as opportunities arise.

Casework Lead

You will lead a dedicated team responsible for a range of critical legal matters, including sensitive and complex legacy and national security litigation, statutory disclosure to Public Inquiries, and the management of firearms and explosives appeals. You will deliver across this diverse portfolio while ensuring strict departmental compliance with relevant legislation and provide regular, high-quality briefings to Ministers and Senior Officials on this complex casework landscape. Additionally, the post-holder will have the opportunity to collaborate on and drive a range of evolving cross-government strategies to proactively manage civil litigation risks

Protection Team Lead

As Head of the Protection Team, you will spearhead our protective security operations, collaborating with security and industry experts to safeguard individuals facing the highest threats from Northern Ireland-related terrorism. Partnering with the Grade 7 Protective Security Project Lead, you will drive policy development to ensure all Home Protection Schemes and other protective security measures are both proportionate and effective. You will provide strategic leadership to a team of three HEO caseworkers and an EO support worker, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, professional casework. Beyond operations, you will lead the development of contractual specifications, partner with procurement specialists to award commercial contracts, and rigorously manage ongoing relationships and service delivery. Additionally, you will exercise full accountability for multiple budgetary cost centres, maintaining precise oversight, forecasting, and financial management.

Strategy and Policy Lead

You will lead work to respond to the threats posed by terrorism and paramilitarism in Northern Ireland, supporting the UK Government’s national security and Safer Streets Mission while maintaining collaborative relationships across UK and Northern Ireland government and security sectors. You will take the lead on all Ministerial and Senior Official briefings, spending time understanding partners’ wider issues to improve delivery on key priority areas. You will hold responsibility for a broad range of policy areas and cross-cutting themes, including alignment with the wider government response to the full range of national security threats, close coordination with the NI devolved government on the response to paramilitarism and organised crime, and the governance of the funding allocated to tackle NIRT. As part of a wider team covering policy, strategy, programmes and engagement, you will also be expected to flex to take on new work across this portfolio as the strategic context changes and the delivery environment evolves.

Programme Lead

As a programme lead, you will use your evidence base and insights to lead delivery of a multi-agency strategic programme addressing national security threats. You will ensure resources effectively improve system-wide responses to harms, reducing vulnerability and building community resilience. You will develop relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, across UKG, the Northern Ireland Executive and community stakeholders to inform the development and delivery of policies and programmes that help to keep Northern Ireland safe. As part of a wider team covering policy, strategy, programmes and engagement, you will also be expected to flex to take on new work across this portfolio as the strategic context changes and the delivery environment evolves.

Shared Leadership & Personal Attributes

As a member of SPG’s management team, you will play a key role in the overall strategic direction and management of Security and Protection Group. You will work directly to the Grade 6, but closely with the Deputy Director and alongside your Grade 7 colleagues, on a range of existing and emerging issues and projects. You will provide leadership across the group and champion the NIO and SPG’s cultural values and ethos. You should be willing to directly support other parts of the business, where required. You will maintain and forge productive relationships with a large number of critical delivery partners and take a strategic and informed approach to stakeholder management working with PSNI, MI5, Cabinet Office and the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland. You will also work closely with colleagues across the NIO, sharing knowledge on the security situation, briefing at pace and contributing to our wider corporate and departmental priorities.

You and your team, based primarily in Belfast, will deliver across a range of policy and casework issues, ensuring departmental compliance with relevant legislation. You will provide regular briefing to Ministers and senior officials on complex issues.

You will be articulate, discreet and thoughtful in your approach, quick to pick up new subjects and proactive in all your dealings. You will have a strong political antenna and inspire confidence when briefing verbally and in writing. You will be accustomed to building productive relationships in difficult contexts and being agile and able to anticipate and respond quickly to new challenges and unexpected developments. You will have an eye on the strategic environment and lead from the front, role modelling positive and collegiate behaviours. You will be focused on delivering clear outcomes. You will want to work in a group with a strong focus on learning and development and to actively contribute to this.      

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The main responsibilities of the Casework Lead include but are not limited to:

• Operational lead for the management of highly complex and sensitive legacy or security litigation casework, including statutory disclosure requirements to Public Inquiries.

• Providing visible leadership and direct management of team members delivering on legacy or national security casework portfolios.

• Delivering high-quality support and comprehensive briefings on complex casework matters for senior officials and Ministers.

• Coordinating and developing the implementation of the government’s strategic approach to managing civil litigation across Northern Ireland.

Specific responsibilities of a post focused on Protective Security may include:

• Oversight and delivery of specialised protective security programmes eg. the Home Protection scheme;

• Lead official for all protective security casework and policy matters, primarily home protection;

• Regular briefings to Senior Officials and Ministers on a range of emerging security-related priorities;

• Building strong relationships internally and with partners in Northern Ireland and in Whitehall to safeguard and enhance delivery of strategic objectives;

• Direct leadership of team of 4 and leadership across the wider Group and Department, commensurate with the Grade 7 role; and

• Delivery of specific projects and contribution to policy development in line with the Group’s wider responsibilities.

Specific responsibilities of a post focused on Strategy and Policy may include:

• A track record of delivering complex policy and an ability to adjust to deliver against competing priorities.

• Strong policy awareness, and capacity to understand the wider implications of both your work and that of others.

• The ability to develop and maintain effective and responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, and to use your interpersonal skills to achieve results.

• Continuous development of an outcomes-based, forward-looking approach to security across Northern Ireland, including coordinating and developing governance arrangements for the government’s security approach in Northern Ireland.

• Providing support and briefing to Ministers and senior officials, including supporting the Secretary of State’s engagement with the National Security Council (NSC).

• Oversight of funding received by PSNI and others to tackle the security threat

Specific responsibilities of a post focused on Programme delivery may include:

• Stakeholder management- building, maintaining and delivering through effective relationships with a diverse network of stakeholders including a range of statutory partners, and community and voluntary sector partners.

• Analysis and policy development - Identifying risks to political/societal stability in Northern Ireland, and working with teams across the NIO and with devolved and other partners to better understand, manage and mitigate these. Using excellent political awareness and judgement to identify and communicate the wider implications of these for the work of the NIO and wider UK Government. Developing and delivering policies and programmes that support efforts to tackle terrorism and wider violence and harm. Drafting submissions and providing written and oral briefings to Ministers and senior officials;

• Programme and project delivery- deliver a multi- agency strategic programme with responsibility for coordinating delivery and performance evaluation. Monitoring deliverables, milestones, risks and dependencies, to ensure overall progress of the strategic programme.

• Data analysis - manage a central performance reporting system involving a range of stakeholders, analyse large sets of varied qualitative and quantitative data, and communicate insights and recommendations to senior decision makers.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

The post holder will need to demonstrate the following in their application and at interview:

• Experience leading operational casework delivery, statutory disclosure, within a criminal justice, law enforcement, intelligence, or security environment

• Experience working on operational, policy, or strategic matters in Northern Ireland or Whitehall.

• Experience of leading, motivating, and managing a team to deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced or high-scrutiny environment

• Building and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships across Northern Ireland and Whitehall to deliver results

• Existing DV (Developed Vetting) clearance or the willingness to acquire it.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• Experience briefing Ministers, senior officials or senior leaders both orally and in writing.

• Good understanding of the political and security environment in Northern Ireland

BEHAVIOURS:

We will assess you against the following Success Profiles behaviours at Grade 7 level during the application sift and interview process:

• Leadership

• Communicating and Influencing

• Working Together 

• Delivering at Pace

Please note that in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run the initial sift on the lead Behaviour “Leadership" More information on behaviours and success profiles can be found here.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a statement of suitability no longer than 750 words outlining how you meet the essential and desirable requirements for the role.

INTERVIEW

You will be assessed against the same behaviours at the interview stage and will be asked to provide examples of how you have demonstrated the behaviours. You will also be assessed against a number of strength-based questions. More information on Success Profiles can be found here. All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit. This job description should not be taken as constituting conditions of employment.

OFFER

Once all interviews have been completed, you will be notified of the outcome by email. Offers will be made in strict merit order to the highest scoring candidate first. The successful candidate will be notified of a start date following successful security checks. Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered. Failure to provide sufficient information in support of an application prior to the closing date will not be considered as grounds for an appeal if an applicant is not shortlisted for interview.

SECURITY CLEARANCE:

This role requires Developed Vetting given the access to sensitive information afforded by the job role. You can find more information by reviewing the information held in the following links:

United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The vetting charter - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Neither Detached Duty terms nor relocation costs will apply to this post.

Please note that due to the high interest in NIO opportunities, feedback cannot be given if you are unsuccessful at the sift stage. Feedback is available on request if unsuccessful following the interview.

COMPLAINTS:

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles.

Please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk) in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages:

http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/

https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/

RESERVE LISTS:

In the event that we identify more appointable candidates than we currently have posts available, we will hold applicant details on a reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. This may include roles at a lower grade. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com to be removed from the reserve list.

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The NIO 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 NIO 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.

Eligibility:

Please note that eligibility for this vacancy is determined by the employing organisation and campaign type. As the NIO is a UK Civil Service department, Northern Ireland Civil Service employees are not eligible to apply. However, NICS staff are eligible to apply for vacancies advertised externally, subject to the advertised eligibility criteria.

Flexible working hours

The NIO offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. NIO 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 NIO’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits:

• Access to learning and development

• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance

• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity

• A Civil Service pension

• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after five years service.

• Public Holidays

• Season Ticket Advance

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.

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 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

• To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);

• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);

• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

As a Disability Confident employer, we 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. We are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

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 SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

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.

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.

Interview dates

Date(s) TBC

Closing Date:

21 July 2026, 23:55 hours.

Contact information

Further information about the post may be obtained from Lesley O’Rourke via email to lesley.orourke@nio.gov.uk.

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.