23618 - Deputy Principal Private Secretary, Office for the Permanent Secretary and Second Permanent Secretary

Deputy Principal Private Secretary, Office of the Permanent Secretary and Second Permanent Secretary (12-month maternity cover)

Grade 6

Private Office and Parliament Directorate

We seeking an exceptional leader to join the Private Office team supporting the Permanent Secretary and Second Permanent Secretary. This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of decision-making in the largest and most complex department in Whitehall. This is a maternity cover post for a fixed period of 12 months.

The justice system is a vital public service, underpinning the rule of law and public confidence. At the Ministry of Justice, our c.85,000 colleagues deliver services that protect the public, support victims, and ensure the fair and effective administration of justice across England and Wales.

The MoJ covers a wide and complex portfolio including policy, operations and major programmes. There has rarely been a more important time to join us. We are focused on reducing reoffending, improving outcomes for victims, addressing system pressures, and strengthening the end-to-end performance of the justice system— while driving reforms that deliver better, more efficient services for citizens.

This is a demanding, high-profile and highly rewarding role. You will, working with the Deputy Director Principal Private Secretary, manage a team supporting both the Permanent and Second Permanent Secretary and act as principal senior advisor to the Second Permanent Secretary. You will join an outstanding team, working on some of the most complex and high-impact issues facing government, with a direct role in supporting delivery of ministerial priorities and improving outcomes for the public we serve.

Location:

Successful candidates will be based at 102 Petty France, London.

Salary:

Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay rules.

Security Clearance:

This role requires National Security Vetting given the access to sensitive information afforded by the job role. You can find more information by reviewing the information held in the following links:

United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) The vetting charter - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This role requires SC and to be eligible to apply for this role you should have been present in the UK continuously for the past 3 years

In addition, there is a minimum UK residency requirement set by the Cabinet Office which is dependent on the security level required for the role.

The work of the team:

The Private Office, Parliament and Legislation Directorate sits at the heart of the Ministry of Justice, supporting Ministers and senior leaders in a fast-paced, high- profile and politically sensitive environment. It brings together functions central to how the department operates, supports Ministers, and engages with Parliament, stakeholders and the public. It ensures departmental priorities are delivered coherently and effectively—aligning policy intent, parliamentary handling and ministerial business.

Office for the Permanent Secretary and Second Permanent Secretary

Working as part of the group of Private Offices at MoJ which also support the Lord Chancellor and Junior Ministers, the Office for the Permanent Secretary and Second Permanent Secretary supports the two most senior officials in the department. We work across the full range of portfolios in the MoJ to ensure both principals are supported with high quality advice and briefing and are able to effectively oversee the work of the department. In addition, the Second Permanent Secretary has a cross-system role with responsibility for joining up the Criminal Justice System, working with MoJ, the police, Home Office, Crown Prosecution Service and others to ensure an effective system that protects the public.

Deputy Principal Private Secretary – Main Activities / Responsibilities:

You will lead three G7 Private Secretary’s, who each have responsibility for managing a team and supporting the two principals across their portfolio. You will ensure the team works effectively together, with good communication and collaboration both across the team and with other Private Offices and the department. You will also be the principal advisor to the Second Permanent Secretary and support her in her role both in the department and cross Criminal Justice System. You will work with and support the Deputy Director Principal Private Secretary who has overall responsibility for the office and is principal advisor to the Permanent Secretary, working together to ensure both principals are effectively supported and drive forward their priorities.

The job holder will have to undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

• Provide leadership to the Permanent and Second Permanent Secretary’s Office, managing a team of Private Secretaries to ensure the office runs smoothly and efficiently and deliver on the department’s priorities.
• Act as the principal advisor to the Second Permanent Secretary.
• Working with the team to drive the Permanent Secretary and Second Permanent Secretary’s priorities and agenda through the Executive Team, supporting them to function effectively together, ensuring join up and a strong collaborative culture.
• Providing leadership for the Second Permanent Secretary’s cross-criminal justice system role, providing oversight and support to the G7 Private Secretary responsible for this portfolio.
• Acting as a trusted confidential adviser, flagging risks and sensitive matters proactively.

Skills and Experience:

This role would suit an experienced, motivated, and strategic leader. This is a high profile and stretching role, with regular exposure to Ministers and senior officials.

Although not essential, it is desirable to have private office, parliamentary or legislative experience.

Essential:

• Proven track record of operating at a senior level in a complex, fast-paced environment, with experience of working with or supporting very senior leaders or ministers.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information quickly and communicate it clearly to both senior colleagues and ministers.
• Strong interpersonal skills and political awareness, with the ability to build trusted relationships at the most senior levels.

• Ability to influence, challenge and gain the trust of the most senior officials, senior stakeholders and partners at all levels.

• Sound judgement, resilience, and the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.

• Experience of leading and motivating a team, fostering an inclusive and high-performing culture.

• Demonstrable commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in a Private Office or similar role.
• Understanding of constitutional and legal matters relevant to the Permanent Secretary’s role.
• Familiarity with the justice system

The MoJ is proud to be Level 3 Disability Confident. Disability Confident is the approach through which we offer guaranteed interviews for all people with disabilities meeting the minimum criteria for the advertised role as set out in the job description.

Written application process:

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.

You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your career history and statement of suitability, are truthful and factually accurate.

Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

Candidates will be assessed through a written application and interview.

Experience:

You will be asked to provide your work history during the application process in order to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role.

Statement of Suitability:

During the application process you will be asked to provide a CV of no more than 2 pages and a Statement of Suitability, which should set out how you meet the essential criteria with a word limit of 750 words.

Successful applicants will then be invited to an interview, testing the following behaviours:

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

Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attach ment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf

Candidates invited to Interview:

Interviews will be held in-person at 102 Petty France and are currently expected to take place in early November.

Contact information:

Please do get in touch if you would like to know more about the role with ben Coates, Deputy Director, Principal Private Secretary to the Permanent Secretary via [email protected]