Diary Manager and Assistant Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Wales - ( Ref : 649 )

Job Title Diary Manager and Assistant Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Wales Pay Grade EO Salary 32,416 - 34,361 (including London weighting) - plus Private Office allowance of 2,562. Location Gwydyr House, London, SW1A 2NP Contract Permanent Clearance CTC (See Additional Information) About the Wales Office: The Wales Office is the face of the UK Government in Wales and the voice of Wales in Westminster. We support the Secretary of State for Wales and the Ministerial team in representing Wales at the heart of Government. We work in partnership with other Government Departments and other stakeholders to deliver a stronger Wales within a strong United Kingdom. Our departmental values are Commitment, Collaboration and Quality. These shape how we operate in a challenging, demanding, and fast paced environment which requires flexibility, transparency and professionalism. The Office is based over two sites, with one base in Cardiff and another in London. As an accredited smarter working organisation, we offer considerable flexibility around the way we work. We have great technology and an attractive employee benefits package which includes a commitment to investing in the learning & development of our staff. Description: We are looking for a motivated and outgoing individual to join the Private Office team in the Wales Office as Diary Manager and Assistant Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Wales. You will work at the heart of the Private Office and be responsible for effectively managing the Secretary of States diary. Liaising closely with the Secretary of State, Private Secretaries, Special Advisers and Officials, you will ensure Ministerial priorities are carefully planned and contribute to their successful delivery. As a small Department the post holder will have unparalleled access to Ministers and work on issues that cut across Whitehall, Number 10, and the Welsh Government. You will be the face of the Private Office to external stakeholders and ensure appropriate balance between the Secretary of States departmental, constituency and parliamentary commitments. The successful candidate will be assertive and confident with the ability to prioritise a busy workload. You will need to build good personal relationships with ministers and senior officials both in the department, across Whitehall and with Welsh Government. Excellent communication skills and the ability to remain calm and reliable under pressure are also essential. Occasional travel (mostly to Wales) to support the Secretary of State will be required which may include overnight stays. Given the nature of the role, it is London based and full time. You will need to be prepared to work some early mornings and evenings as part of a Private Office rota, and as such this role attracts a Private Office allowance of 2,562 in addition to the salary listed above. Key Responsibilities: This role is varied, challenging, and stimulating, working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Key responsibilities include: * Overall responsibility for the management of the Secretary of States diary, including arranging all internal and external meetings to ensure time is used effectively to achieve their priorities. * Liaison with UK and Welsh Government private offices, the Secretary of States constituency team, and external stakeholders to manage conflicting priorities and diary issues, exercising good judgement and flexibility. * Co-ordination and planning of the logistics for ministerial travel and visits. * Oversight of all invitations, seeking steers on which should be accepted, working with policy and communications colleagues to advise on these matters. * Building and maintaining positive relationships with teams at the Wales Office, across Government and externally. * Prepare diary cards and briefings packs for the Secretary of State. * Lead on a policy portfolio within the office as part of their Assistant Private Secretary role, attending Ministerial visits and events. The job description is not intended to be exhaustive, and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the postholder. Person Specification Please evidence in your Statement of Suitability, how closely you match the essential criteria: Essential: * Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills * Comfortable working in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment and the ability to prioritise. * Attention to detail and perceptive judgement. * Resilience and adaptability when working under pressure. * Communication with senior stakeholders. * Strong ability to work within a team. Desirable: · Welsh Language skills. Recruitment Process: This campaign will be undertaken using the Civil Service Success Profile framework. You will need to provide evidence in your application to cover the following behaviours: · Communicating and Influencing (Lead Behaviour) (Application & Interview) · Delivering at Pace (Application & Interview) · Making Effective Decisions (Interview Only) · Managing a Quality Service (Interview Only) In the event of a high volume of applicants, we will sift only on the lead behaviour to create a shortlist for interview. Strengths may also be assessed at interview, but these are not shared in advance. Candidates are also required to provide a Statement of Suitability (as stated above) which details how they match the essential criteria for the role. Additional Information The Wales Office is not an employer in its own right. Staff recruited to work at the Wales Office will be employees of the Ministry of Justice who provide employment services on our behalf. This role requires CTC level clearance. Applicants for National Security Clearance (CTC) must be resident in the UK for 3 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.