Job Description

This role is a Senior Policy Advisor for the Committee on Standards in Public Life, an independent public body which advises the Prime Minister on ethical issues relating to standards across public life.

You will support the Committee in monitoring ethical standards across the public sector, upholding the Nolan Principles, conducting broad inquiries into standards of conduct, and recommending updates in ethical practices.

The Committee is looking for a dynamic and adaptable team member with experience of drafting reports, who is interested in ethical issues across public life.

Forthcoming areas of work include standards of conduct in referendums and local government. You will work with senior stakeholders on a range of high-profile subjects relevant to on-going issues across central government, government agencies, and local government, amongst others.

Main Duties

1) Working within a small team, with shared responsibility for:

• Drafting high-profile reports and responses to stakeholder consultations;
• Conducting desk-based and face-to-face research;
• Advising the Committee Chair on on-going standards issues;
• Working alongside the Press Officer on digital and media communications;
• Event management for a range of key stakeholders;
• Managing evidence sessions arranged by CSPL;
• Liaising with academic researchers commissioned by the Committee;
• Managing the design and publication of reports. 

2) Attending monthly committee meetings, which includes the preparation of policy papers and briefings;

3) Managing the budget for the Secretariat, liaising with the finance business lead on monthly reports.

Competency-Based Person Specification

As a Civil Service application, all candidates will be evaluated based on their experience within five competency areas:

1) Seeing the Big Picture

We are looking for someone who can use their initiative to be alert to emerging issues and trends across public life, including local government, central government and public services.

2) Making Effective Decisions

In the role you will need to identify a range of relevant and credible information sources, and be involved in the Committee’s research. You will need to recognise patterns and trends in a wide range of evidence and draw conclusions.

3) Leading and Communicating 

We are looking for someone who can communicate in a succinct, engaging manner, using appropriate styles, methods and timing. An important part of this role will be promoting the work of the Committee and the Nolan Principles to key stakeholders.

4) Collaborating and Partnering

You will need to be able to establish relationships with a range of high-level stakeholders, as well as collaborating with the Committee’s Chair, members, Research Advisory Board.

5) Managing a Quality Service

You will need to work within a small team to set priorities, goals, objectives, and timescales. This will require effective use of project management skills to deliver outcomes.

Applications may be sifted based on the lead competency: Seeing the Big Picture.

Specialist Experience

Essential

• Experience of drafting briefing-style papers and/or reports

Desirable

• Experience of managing a medium-sized budget, or willingness to learn.

Closing Date: 13th April 2017 at 23:55 hours

Application Process

After the sift (Revised date of 18th April) successful candidates will be invited to interview.

Candidates will be asked to bring a hard copy of a previous piece of short written work (such as a briefing or short report), or a briefing note (maximum 1 side of A4) on a subject specified by the Committee in the invitation to interview.

The selection panel will consider these submissions alongside the written application and interview performance when selecting the successful candidate.

Due to the high volume of applications received for Cabinet Office vacancies, we regret that feedback is only available - at the discretion of the vacancy manager - following the interview stage. 

Contact

For further details on the role, please contact: lesley.bainsfair@public-standards.gov.uk

Due to the high volume of applications received for Cabinet Office vacancies, we regret that feedback is only available - at the discretion of the vacancy manager - following the interview stage.

Vacancy managers may also sift on one lead competency at the application stage.

Terms, Conditions and Benefits

This is a and is offered to applicants both inside and outside the Civil Service. There is the possibility of contract extension subject to future business need.

This role is at Cabinet Office Band B2 level with a salary range of £30,722– £38,484. Annual salary increases will depend upon individual performance and contribution to the organisation’s success. In addition there will be the opportunity to earn performance related bonuses.

There is an expectation that successful applicants new to the Civil Service will join on the pay band minimum.

There is a choice of excellent pension schemes. More information about pension provisions can be found at www.civilservice.gov.uk/pensions 

Existing civil servants will take up the post on loan from their parent department for two years. Those joining on level transfer will retain their current salary.  Staff joining on promotion terms will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary or the pay band minimum whichever is the greater. Staff joining on promotion will adopt the modernised terms and conditions of employment which came in to force in 2013.

Flexible Working

Flexible working including job-share arrangements may be considered for this role.

Leave allowances

25 days' paid leave per annum rising to 30 days after five years service. In addition, full-time staff receive eight public holidays and the Queen’s Birthday privilege day as well as competitive maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave.

Probation

Staff new to the Civil Service will be required to serve a six month probationary period.

Location

The post will be based in Whitehall, London. 

Relocation Costs

No relocation costs will be available.

Equality and Diversity

The Cabinet Office is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff. We will not discriminate on grounds of gender, gender identity, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, those with caring responsibilities, part time workers or any other factor irrelevant to a person’s work.

We encourage a diverse workforce and aim to provide a working environment where all staff at all levels are valued and respected, and where discrimination, bullying, promotion of negative stereotyping and harassment are not tolerated.

Assessment for recruitment, selection, appraisal, training and career progression purposes is based both on the individual’s ability and suitability for the work. We are committed to providing all staff with opportunities to maximise their skills and achieve their potential, offering flexible working arrangements wherever possible.

As public authorities departments have statutory duties placed on them that require them to promote equality of opportunity and eliminate unlawful discrimination. We expect all staff to assist the department in meeting these obligations. All staff should have due regard for the need to promote good relations between individuals from different groups and work towards achieving equality of opportunity for all.

Civil Service Code

All civil servants are subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Code (see Annex A) which details Civil Service values, standards of behaviour, rights and responsibilities. Go to http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk  for more information.

Childcare

We recognise that many staff balance working lives with the demands of a family life. We offer support with childcare and holiday play schemes costs by providing childcare vouchers for staff who meet the eligibility criteria.

Recruitment and Selection Process

Nationality

You must be a British Citizen, citizen of the British Commonwealth* an EC national or national of specified Member States of the European Free Trade Area, together with certain members of their families. Certain Turkish nationals are also eligible to apply.  If you have any questions about nationality requirements contact the Recruitment Team on 020 7271 1327. (*Commonwealth citizens not yet in the UK, who have no right of abode in the UK and who do not have leave to enter the UK are ineligible to apply.)

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

The Cabinet Office is committed to the employment and career development of disabled people and will guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Pre-appointment enquiries

The successful candidate’s appointment will be subject to a series of checks including security, nationality, health and references before a formal offer of appointment is made.  Subject to satisfactory completion of the pre-appointment enquiries, you will be invited to take up the post as soon as possible. The National Insurance numbers of successful applicants will be shared with the Ministry of Defence to aid the tracking of Armed Forces Reservist levels across government.

The selection process

Recruitment in to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission which has two key functions.

• To maintain the principle of selection for appointment to the Civil Service on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.
• To promote an understanding of the Civil Service Code which sets out the constitutional framework in which all civil servants work and the values they are expected to uphold, and to hear and determine appeals made under it. More detailed information can be found at on the Civil Service Commission website: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

Complaints

The Department’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles details of which can be found at  http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk    If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Recruitment Team,  Human Resources, 4th Floor, 1 Horse Guards Road, London SW1A 2WH, email corecruitment@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at:

civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

info@csc.gsi.gov.uk

Civil Service Commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London SW1A 2HQ