HCS JOB DESCRIPTION

Who we are

Inclusion and diversity

The Northern Ireland Office is committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences.

We particularly welcome applications from ethnic minorities, as they are under-represented within the NIO at this level.

The Northern Ireland Office strives to be an inclusive employer and is recognised by its staff and externally as being an employer where Diversity and Inclusion are valued.

We hold a Diversity & Inclusion Charter Mark and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader organisation.

In March 2018 we won the award for Best Employer for Diversity & Equality in Northern Ireland (small employer category) in a Gala Award ceremony hosted by Legal-Island, a multi-award winning workplace compliance company based in Northern Ireland.

We have an active D&I network supporting colleagues through D&I Advocates, championed by our Directors.

We want all our people to feel valued for who they are and we are confident that you will find the NIO a warm, welcoming and inclusive place to work.

What we do &

Background

The Northern Ireland Office represents Northern Ireland interests at a UK Government level and UK Government interests in Northern Ireland. We have a wide range of responsibilities, including: underpinning political stability in Northern Ireland; overseeing the Northern Ireland devolution settlement; leading on national security policy in Northern Ireland; addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past; delivering elections and constitutional reform in Northern Ireland; playing a key role in rebalancing the NI economy; representing NI interests, including on the border with Ireland,following the exit from the EU. Our small size and diverse portfolio create a stimulating, fast-paced and challenging working environment, with regular engagement with a range of Ministers and senior officials. We support flexible working and have a modern, flexible IT system which helps enable this.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Legacy Group is a busy unit which currently has staff based in London and Belfast.

The Group has a challenging role working on the Government’s response, at both a strategic policy and individual case level, to the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Dealing with the legacy of the Troubles is widely seen as one of the most significant outstanding issues from the Northern Ireland peace process and both individual cases and broader issues continue to have a very high profile in Northern Ireland and in the work of the NIO.

The post holder will have the opportunity to gain experience leading work in a high profile area, developing wider skills around casework and experience in legal matters, often with national security implications. In addition to this, as a senior member of the casework team, the post holder will be expected to work closely with and provide support to the legacy policy team, potentially leading policy development as required.

Security Clearance: We are looking for candidates who have DV clearance, or are willing to apply for it upon joining.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The post-holder will be expected to take a proactive role in managing work across a number of key areas:

• Case management of complex and sensitive legacy cases

• Ensuring a consistent yet responsive approach to disclosure in relation to specific legacy cases, and in response to Freedom of Information applications (FOIs) and Subject Access Request applications (SARs);

• Leading briefings on legacy casework matters for senior officials and Ministers;

• Developing and maintaining good working relationships with a range of stakeholders, including at a senior level across Whitehall, to ensure the efficient management of relevant legacy cases;

• Leading the management of casework records across departmental platforms whilst delivering in a fast paced environment;

• Working closely with other areas of the Legacy Group to proactively identify opportunities to contribute to team and business area objectives and priorities;

• Providing support on, or potentially, leading policy development through working closely with the Legacy Policy Team, as required;

• Deputising for the Head of Legacy Casework Team, as required; and

• Management of Legacy Casework Team colleagues

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Sound judgement and analytical skills, the ability to make evidence based recommendations and decisions;

• Excellent communication and influencing skills to influence a wide variety of stakeholders at different levels; the ability to present and communicate complex information and recommendations to senior decision makers in a clearly and impactful manner;

• Strong partnering and collaborating skills, and the ability to build strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders to support effective delivery of strategic outcomes;

• The ability to deal with uncertainty, self-organise, prioritise and pay close attention to detail;

• The role requires Developed Vetting clearance. Applicants should already hold DV clearance or be willing to acquire it.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• Understanding of the political and security environment in Northern Ireland;

• Experience working on national security, resilience/civil contingencies or law enforcement policy, projects or programmes in Northern Ireland or Whitehall;

• Existing DV clearance.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Due to our size, we are able to offer staff the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department. This creates a dynamic, interesting and challenging work environment.

The NIO offers a pleasant, modern work hybrid working environment that allows consideration of a range of flexible working arrangements that support a good work/ life balance. These include flexible/ alternative working patterns, part-time and job-share options.

Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered.

SELECTION PROCESS:

The selection and interview process will consist of two stages:

SIFT

Behaviours

We will assess you against the following Success Profiles behaviours at SEO level during the selection process.

• Working Together

• Communicating and Influencing

• Delivering at Pace

• Making Effective Decisions

Please note that in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run the initial sift on the lead Behaviour “Working together"

More information on behaviours and success profiles can be found here.

Experience

Statement of suitability no longer than 500 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.

More information on Success Profiles can be found here.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

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.

Home Civil Service applicants who, because of disability, need assistance in completing the application form should contact MoJ Shared Services on 0845 010 3512.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

This job description should not be taken as constituting conditions of employment.

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

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Further information about us

We are a small and friendly department of approximately 185 staff. Due to our size we are able to offer staff more exposure to ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department. This creates an interesting, though often challenging, work environment.

Other Benefits

The NIO offers a pleasant, modern work environment which allows consideration of a range of flexible working arrangements which support a good work/ life balance. These include flexible/ alternative working patterns, part-time and job-share options.

Benefits include:

Interest-free season ticket and bicycle loans

Reward & Recognition scheme

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

The Northern Ireland Office operates the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, details of which are attached to the application form for this post.

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 and may be based in other locations. 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.

Further information on civil service careers can be found at  www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk

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/

Merit Lists

In the event that the advertised post following interview, identifies more appointable applicants than available posts, we will hold applicant details on a merit/reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further future appointments can be made. 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.