Deputy Principal, Private Secretary to Secretary of State for Scotland [Scotland Office]

Overview

Would you like to have an active role in delivering change in Scotland? We are looking for an exceptional individual to join the Scotland Office Private Office team.

This is a challenging, high-profile and rewarding role as Deputy Principal Private Secretary (DPPS) at the Scotland Office, working directly with the Secretary of State, Ministers and Special Advisers (SpAds). The postholder will take on a significant leadership role in the Department, deputising for the Principal Private Secretary from time to time, leading the Private Office Division

The Deputy Principal Private Secretary has a critical role in supporting the Secretary of State in delivering on the Scotland Office’s four priorities, and by extension on the delivery and communication of the Government’s missions in Scotland. As a team, we are all working on:

• Delivering programmes to support regional economic growth, implement the Industrial Strategy, and promote ‘Brand Scotland’ overseas

• Ensure Scotland is at the centre of the Clean Energy mission and UK Government's work to tackle poverty

• Demonstrating UK Government is delivering for Scotland by ensuring that mission outcomes are seen and felt in Scotland and by working with the Scottish Government

The role is at Grade 7 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, worth an extra £9,180 per year. 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.

We strongly encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. The Scotland Office is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We offer a range of family-friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible location-based working arrangements, people engagement forums, facilities and services to support people from different backgrounds to have a rewarding career. The post holder will also have an active leadership role across the office and support making it a fantastic and inclusive place to work, championing diversity.

The Role

The role is highly rewarding, varied and stimulating. As DPPS you are a key link between Ministers and the Department. In this role, you will need to get to grips with complex issues across a range of policy and communications areas. Using your judgement, provide effective briefings to Ministers to support their decision-making. It is a fast-paced, dynamic, and challenging environment, so strong planning and organisational skills with a willingness to work flexibly are all essential.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly organised individual who is also an empathetic leader, with people and capability-building experience. You will be a team player who will be able to balance competing priorities and manage a busy workload, with the ability to horizon scan and react quickly to emerging priorities. You will play a key leadership role within the Division, supporting the wider team to provide support to Junior Ministers and Special Advisers, while sustaining a positive culture and supporting the personal development of team members. You will be assertive and confident in your ability to effectively communicate with Ministers, Special Advisers and officials at all levels, and will need excellent judgement and political awareness.

Key responsibilities

Key responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Deputise for the Principal Private Secretary as needed.

• Lead a high-performing team based in London and/or Edinburgh. Line management of the Private Secretaries (SEO) to the Secretary of State and Junior Minister.

• Ensure the smooth and efficient running of the Private Office, building and sustaining a high-performing, inclusive and resilient team of Private Secretaries, diary managers and correspondence management.

• Ensuring day-to-day Ministerial business is transacted efficiently and in a timely manner, managing the workflow across Private Offices, identifying and prioritising work to very tight deadlines;

• Build strong internal relationships with Ministers, SpAds and departmental teams; and externally across UK and Scottish Governments, and with key stakeholders to gain credibility for the Secretary of State and Department.

• Manage change, supporting Ministers and the department as the role adapts to meet Ministerial expectations and business needs.

• Lead on a portfolio of policies and priorities, ensuring the department provides cohesive advice to Ministers and that their direction is translated into clear and concrete actions for officials to take forward. Work across the Scotland Office help negotiate and influence successful outcomes to deliver the Ministerial team’s priorities

• Regularly review Private Office processes to ensure they are efficient, fit for purpose and maintain a high quality of service.

• Assume a wider corporate leadership role within the Department,

• Acting as a leader within the Private Office, helps to develop the right culture and behaviours and supports individuals to do well in their roles. Supporting the personal development of team members.

• Be a visible team player by pitching in and helping out with whatever might need doing around the office.

Contact details

If you are interested in the role and would like to discuss in further detail, please contact: joseph.beck@ukgovscotland.gov.uk to arrange a conversation with the PPS.

Skills

Essential:

• Exceptional interpersonal and management skills, with the ability to understand different perspectives.

• Proven experience of working effectively with Ministers and senior officials, with a strong ability to influence and work collaboratively at all levels to resolve difficult issues.

• Experience of problem-solving and political awareness.

• Proven experience of translating ministerial priorities into sound engagement opportunities in collaboration with policy and communications professionals.

• Strategic and creative thinker, recognising where improvements can be made and implementing them.

• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to work effectively across a range of tasks and under pressure.

• Strong management experience, including the ability to organise yourself and your team’s workload, showing initiative and proactivity.

• Proven experience in identifying and implementing continuous improvement.

Desirable:

• Knowledge or interest in Scottish policy issues, and/or devolution

Additional Information

Private Office Expectations

In order to ensure the consistency of support offered to the Minister, it is expected that the successful candidate would commit to remaining in the post for at least 18 months.

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.

Security clearance

This role requires SC level clearance. Applicants for National Security Clearance (SC) must be resident in the UK for 5 years immediately prior to their application for Security Clearance. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years), you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.

If you do not meet the above requirement, you may still be considered for the role if, for example:

• You have been serving overseas with HM Armed Forces or in some other official

• capacity as a representative of HM Government.

• You were studying abroad.

• You were living overseas with parents.