Private Office - Ministerial Assistant Private Secretary

Westminster, London

Job Summary

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is recruiting for an Assistant Private Secretary.

The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for social security, labour market, pensions, and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department, we administer the State Pension and a range of working age, disability, and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers. What we do matters to millions of people every day.

Private Office is crucial to providing effective support and advice to Ministers and Special Advisers across all aspects of Departmental business, acting as the key interface between the Department and Ministers to deliver DWP’s critical agenda.

Job Description

The Private Office is a high-performing, dynamic, supportive and inclusive team. This is a demanding but rewarding role for someone interested in working closely with the Ministerial Head of Office, Ministers, Special Advisers and senior officials.

We have several exciting opportunities coming up, offering the chance to work with Ministers daily, helping to address challenges that affect the lives of people across the country. These roles provide an opportunity to see how Ministers, Special Advisers and the Civil Service operate in a way that is rarely matched in other roles of the same grade. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring high quality and timely advice across the portfolio is provided and will be the interface between the Department and Ministerial Team.

These are fast paced, stretching and a great platform for your future career in the Civil Service. We are looking for candidates who will enjoy and thrive in this unique and interesting environment at the heart of Government.

This post will either report to the Deputy Private Secretary or Head of Office.

In This Role You Will:

• Advise and work directly with the Deputy Private Secretary, Head of Office, Minister and wider Ministerial Team to support them in delivering their priorities
• Work with senior stakeholders across the Department, including policy and operations, as well as across Whitehall, to provide the Ministerial Team with high quality and timely advice
• Support the Minister in a wide range of internal and Cross-Government meetings and engagements
• Support the Minister or Special Adviser during meetings, responsible for providing an accurate readout, capturing actions and ensuring progress
• Accompany and support the Minister on relevant events and visits, working with the visits team to ensure logistics are properly arranged and acting as an ambassador for your Minister and DWP when meeting high profile
• Play a proactive role in the wider corporate effort within the Private Office
  
  

We Offer Successful Candidates:

• The opportunity to work closely with Ministers, Special Advisers and senior officials
• An exciting, fast-paced and challenging work environment that involves dealing with complex policy and operational issues
• The chance to be part of a supportive team with plenty of opportunities to learn and develop new skills
• The opportunity to broaden understanding of DWP policy, parliamentary business and cross-government functions
  
  

Person specification

• We are looking for someone with excellent organisational skills and the ability to communicate effectively with Ministers, Special Advisers, and senior officials.
• You will need to manage a heavy workload, be able to prioritise effectively and enjoy working in a fastmoving environment.
• You will also need excellent judgement and political awareness and an interest in parliamentary business.
• Experience of working with ministers and an understanding of DWP policy and operational matters is desirable but not essential.
  
  

Essential Criteria

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• An ability to work collaboratively and flexibly with others and within a dynamic team, often to short deadlines and to achieve common goals, maintaining a high level of service (Lead Criteria)
• An ability to build relationships with key stakeholders and demonstrate strong communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Confidence to engage with senior officials and Ministers
• Excellent judgement and approach to situations, tasks and problems
• An ability to deliver to tight deadlines quickly but effectively, whilst remaining professional in a pressured environment
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deal pragmatically with sometimes conflicting priorities
• A flexible outlook and approach, coupled with a real enthusiasm for taking responsibility for high-quality work, demonstrating personal resilience and strong attention to detail
  
  

The successful candidate will be based in the office (Caxton House, London).

Due to the nature of the role, it may be necessary to work long hours, including weekends, especially when Parliament is sitting, for which an allowance will be payable.

The role is full time or job share.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture
  
  

Alongside your salary of £42,958, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £12,444 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
  
  

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

We recognise that AI may be helpful when applying for this role, but it is important to use it in the right way. Read our guide here on how to make the best use of GenAI while ensuring your application remains authentic and effective.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and Personal Statement (1000 word max) to demonstrate how you meet the person specification and the essential criteria.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

The CV element will not be individually scored so please put the main content of your evidence and skills in your Personal Statement.

The CV is an online tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobsite and there is no requirement to upload your personal CV.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead criteria:

• An ability to work collaboratively and flexibly with others and within a dynamic team, often to short deadlines and to achieve common goals, maintaining a high level of service (Lead Criteria)
  
  

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview.

The benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.

Selection will be by a written sift and shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an in-person face to face interview (Caxton House, London). The sift will be carried out in May 2025 - Interview dates to be confirmed in due course.

Interview Stage

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview at Caxton House, London and will be assessed on their answers to interview questions on Behaviours and Strengths.

This will consist of a face-to-face blended interview, which should take approximately between 30-40 minutes.

Blended Interview

You will be asked a mixture of Behaviour and Strength questions.

A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation at interview offering a more inclusive approach.

The Behaviour and Strength based questioning explores what the candidate can and has done, but also their potential.

The Behaviours Being Assessed Are:

Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.

Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

Seeing the Big Picture - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.

It May Help To Use One Or More Examples Of a Piece Of Work You Have Completed Or a Situation You Have Been In, And Use The WHO Or STAR Model To Explain:

What was the task, How you approached the work/situation and what the Outcomes were, what did you achieve? Or What was the Situation? That were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions?

It is difficult to prepare for strength type questions. However you can think through your answers, focus on your achievements and aspects you enjoy and decide how these can be applied in the organisation and role.

Further Information

Find out more about Working for DWP

A reserve list may be held for a period of 3 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

NSV

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Reasonable Adjustment

At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Feedback

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

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

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 security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).

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.

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.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).

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.

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 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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) 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

• Job Contact :
  
  
• Name : Thomas Ogden
• Email : po-business-support@dwp.gov.uk
  
  

• Recruitment team
  
  
• Email : dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
  
  

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DWP by email: HR.BUSINESSASSURANCE@DWP.GOV.UK.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.