Job Description

Details

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Reference number

433787

Salary

35,787 - 43,759
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Higher Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

First Minister's Group

Type of role

Administration / Corporate Support

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

3

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Cardiff but with a requirement for working from Ty Hywel and Cathays Park in support of Ministers on days to be agreed with Line Manager

About the job

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Job summary

As we look ahead to Senedd reform, it's an exciting time to work at the heart of Welsh Government.

Private Office roles offer a unique opportunity to work directly with Ministers in a fast-paced, high-profile environment, providing valuable insight into how government operates and how decisions are made.

Job description

Purpose of the Role

To provide effective, day-to-day support to a Cabinet Secretary or Minister, helping manage their portfolio and priorities. Private Secretaries play a key role in coordinating Ministerial business, articulating Ministerial views, and ensuring smooth operations.


Depending on the post, you may lead a small team or work under a Senior Private Secretary. These roles require strong communication skills, sound political judgement, and the ability to influence, negotiate and manage competing demands. They're ideal for individuals who thrive under pressure, enjoy working collaboratively, and want to make a meaningful impact at the centre of public service.

For further information on the benefits of working at Welsh Government and an insight into our Private Office and Cabinet Secretariat, please follow this link

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Careers in private office and cabinet secretariat , GOV.WALES

Person specification

Key tasks will consist of but not be limited to:

Develop and maintain strong relationships with Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Directors and policy leads within Departments, other Private Office staff, Special Advisers and where necessary Constituency/MS Support Staff; Communicate Ministerial requirements clearly and concisely to policy officials and develop an awareness of relevant policies and programmes; Consider the quality, appropriateness and timeliness of advice, briefings, speeches, correspondence and answers to Senedd Questions and commission remedial action where necessary; Co-ordinate delivery of Cabinet, Plenary and Scrutiny business for Ministers; Provide summary advice to Ministers on MAs and correspondence, flagging up any issues which require particular attention; Ensure the Minister's daily folder of business is accurate and that arrangements are in place for the Minister to be delivered to meetings, engagements and the Senedd for Senedd Business; accompanying the Minister to meetings and engagements when required; Develop a knowledge and understanding of the Ministerial Code and be prepared to advise Ministers, as situations demand.

Personal qualities

Private Secretaries operate at the heart of Government and successful candidates will be able to demonstrate sound political judgement and an ability to work to tight deadlines in a fast-moving, high-profile environment. You will need to negotiate with and influence others, challenge constructively on behalf of Ministers where necessary, and help policy colleagues understand and respond to Ministers' particular requirements.


Strong communication skills - both oral and written - and a high degree of tact and diplomacy are necessary, particularly in articulating Ministers' views. Private Secretaries are frequently called upon to resolve potentially difficult situations and need to do so in conjunction with their line mangers, Head of Cabinet Division, Special Advisers and Directors.

Languages

Welsh language skills are essential for this role. The skills required for this role are specified below. These skills will be assessed as part of the selection process.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:


Communicating and Influencing Making Effective Decisions Delivering at Pace Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 35,787, Welsh Government contributes 10,367 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

The Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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 AI candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection Process and Stages

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
The selection process and stages are:

Number of Stages:

2 stage process

Stage 1 Application Form


Stage 2 Interview

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles. A written assessment on

Delivering at Pacewill be required at '

Interview stage

. More information will be provided in the invitations to that stage In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Delivering at Pace. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift

Welsh language skills are essential for this role

. Candidates may complete their application form in either English or Welsh. However, please ensure your response to the 'Experience 1' criterion is completed in the alternative language to your main application, as the panel requires evidence of written competence in both English and Welsh. Similarly, at interview, the 'Experience 1' question will be asked in the alternative language to assess listening, understanding, and speaking skills. In the event of two or more candidates having the same total score at interview the panel will consider :

Delivering at pace

, if still tied then revert to highest score on

Making Effective Decisions

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check .



See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements

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 .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and 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 .

Apply and further information

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This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

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Job contact :

Name : Private Office Email : Swyddi.Jobs@llyw.cymru
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Recruitment team

Email : SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales

Further information

Recruitment principles and complaints




We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles on the Commission's website.




If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email complaints@gov.wales. Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.




If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: info@csc.gov.uk