Senior Policy Advisor, Community Engagement (Ref: 82724)

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

DEPARTMENT NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE
POST VACANT Senior Policy Advisor, Community Engagement – SEO / Band B
LOCATION Belfast 
Occasional Travel to other office locations will be required.
DURATION  Permanent contract 
OR two year loan / secondment for current civil servants (with option to extend if necessary)
APPLICATIONS INVITED FROM External candidates and existing Civil Servants from HCS or NICS 

Salary scale: National  £39,868 – £43,535
CLOSING DATE 17 January 2024

Who we are

Passionate about Northern Ireland: flexible, empowering, inclusive

Inclusion and diversity 

The Northern Ireland Office is committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, as they are under-represented within the NIO at this level.

The Northern Ireland Office strives to be an inclusive employer and is recognised by its staff and externally as being an employer where Diversity and Inclusion are valued.

We hold a Diversity & Inclusion Charter Mark and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader organisation.

In March 2018 we won the award for Best Employer for Diversity & Equality in Northern Ireland (small employer category) in a Gala Award ceremony hosted by Legal-Island, a multi-award winning workplace compliance company based in Northern Ireland.

We have an active D&I network supporting colleagues through D&I Advocates, championed by our Directors.

We want all our people to feel valued for who they are and we are confident that you will find the NIO a warm, welcoming and inclusive place to work.

What we do

Background

The Northern Ireland Office represents Northern Ireland interests at a UK Government level and UK Government interests in Northern Ireland. We have a wide range of responsibilities, including: underpinning political stability in Northern Ireland; overseeing the Northern Ireland devolution settlement; leading on national security policy in Northern Ireland; addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past; delivering elections and constitutional reform in Northern Ireland; playing a key role in rebalancing the NI economy; representing NI interests, including on the border with Ireland, following the exit from the EU. Our small size and diverse portfolio create a stimulating, fast-paced and challenging working environment, with regular engagement with a range of Ministers and senior officials. We support flexible working and have a modern, flexible IT system which helps enable this.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Political Affairs Group in the Northern Ireland Office works to ensure a thriving democracy at all levels in Northern Ireland. We do this through our strong relationships with Northern Ireland’s political parties, the Executive, the Assembly and with communities and civic, voluntary and academic stakeholders, as well as engaging with international partners. The team supports the stability and peace brought about by the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and its successors, and supports the institutions to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland. 

The Senior Policy Advisor – Community Engagement will be responsible for leading the development of our engagement strategy for community groups in Northern Ireland, proactively building effective and responsive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. This includes engagement with voluntary and community organisations, faith groups and local councils. As part of the Communities Team, they will help ensure that the NIO is taking account of the views of diverse community stakeholders in our policy development, communicating our work effectively and ensuring that ministers and senior officials have the opportunity to engage with communities across Northern Ireland. 

Day to day, the jobholder will be contacting and meeting a range of community stakeholders to discuss policy issues, and arranging and supporting meetings and visits for ministers. They will use their knowledge of the community sector and political environment in Northern Ireland to prepare briefing for ministers, advise on community engagement and keep colleagues across the office and other government departments informed about the viewpoints of different communities and stakeholders across Northern Ireland. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The main responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:

● Lead the development of our engagement strategy for community groups in Northern Ireland, proactively building effective and responsive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
● Work with policy teams across the department to identify where stakeholders can contribute to the development and delivery of NIO objectives, provide advice on how to conduct meaningful stakeholder engagement, and drive forward opportunities for this to happen through consultation, discussions and events. 
● Represent the NIO externally with key community and civic groups and at conferences and events, clearly and authoritatively explaining NIO policy and responding to questions. 
● Provide clear, insightful and relevant reporting on community sentiment to policy teams, using excellent political awareness and judgement to identify and communicate the wider implications of this on the NIO’s work and influence the development of policy. 
● Work closely with ministers to identify opportunities for meaningful community engagement, and lead on briefing and supporting ministers during visits. 

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

● At least two years’ experience working in a community and voluntary sector organisation, or in a role involving significant engagement with the community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland. 
● The ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with colleagues and a diverse range of external stakeholders, and to work collaboratively to achieve results. 
● Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information clearly, concisely and persuasively to a range of audiences.
● The ability to plan work and deliver results at pace, taking the initiative to solve problems. 

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

● A good understanding of the political environment in Northern Ireland. 
● Previous experience of working with Ministers (or equivalent senior decision-makers) and senior officials.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 
Due to our size, we are able to offer staff the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department.  This creates a dynamic, interesting and challenging work environment.

The NIO offers a pleasant, modern work hybrid working environment that allows consideration of a range of flexible working arrangements that support a good work/ life balance. These include flexible/ alternative working patterns, part-time and job-share options. 

Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered.  

SELECTION PROCESS:

The selection and interview process will consist of two stages:

SIFT

Behaviours 

We will assess you against the following Success Profiles behaviours at Level 3 (SEO) during the selection process.

● Communicating and influencing
● Working together 
● Delivering at pace
● Making effective decisions

Please note that in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run the initial sift on the lead Behaviours “Communicating and influencing” and “Working together”.

More information on behaviours and success profiles can be found here.

Experience

Statement of suitability no longer than 500 words outlining how you meet the requirements for the role and a demonstration of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

INTERVIEW

You will be assessed on the basis of an interview. The interview will be conducted remotely and will be of a blended nature consisting of behaviours and experience, utilising the following success profile behaviours: 

● Communicating and Influencing
● Working Together
● Delivering at pace
● Making Effective Decisions

More information on Success Profiles can be found here.

SECURITY CLEARANCE Security clearance to CTC level will be required for this post.

ELIGIBILITY SIFT An eligibility sift will be carried out on the basis of the information contained in the application form.  It is therefore important that all applicants demonstrate in their application how and to what extent their behaviours are relevant to the above criteria.  Those candidates who do not clearly demonstrate that they meet the experience and behaviours will not be invited to interview.

PAY AND ALLOWANCES The successful candidate will adopt the terms and conditions of the NIO for the length of their appointment. 
Neither Detached Duty terms nor relocation costs will apply to this post.

FURTHER INFORMATION Further information about the post may be obtained from HRenquiriesNIO@nio.gov.uk. 

APPLICATIONS You can apply for this post through the Civil Service website at civilservice.gov.uk. Once logged onto the site go to the civil service jobs page and then search for jobs in the Northern Ireland Office where the application form can be found.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered.  Failure to provide sufficient information in support of an application prior to the closing date will not be considered as grounds for an appeal if an applicant is not shortlisted for interview.

Home Civil Service applicants who, because of disability, need assistance in completing the application form should contact MoJ Shared Services on 0845 010 3512.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

This job description should not be taken as constituting conditions of employment.

Please note that due to the high interest in NIO opportunities, feedback cannot be given if you are unsuccessful at sift stage. Feedback is available on request if unsuccessful following interview.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Further information about us

We are a small and friendly department of approximately 185 staff.  Due to our size we are able to offer staff more exposure to ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department. This creates an interesting, though often challenging, work environment.

Other Benefits

The NIO offers a pleasant, modern work environment which allows consideration of a range of flexible working arrangements which support a good work/ life balance. These include flexible/ alternative working patterns, part-time and job-share options.
 
Benefits include:
 Interest-free season ticket and bicycle loans
 Reward & Recognition scheme

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

The Northern Ireland Office operates the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, details of which are attached to the application form for this post.

In the event that we identify more appointable candidates than we currently have posts available, we will hold applicant details on a reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. This may include roles at a lower grade. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com to be removed from the reserve list.  

Further information on civil service careers can be found at  www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.  

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles.  

Please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk) in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: 
http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/

https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/ 

Merit Lists

In the event that the advertised post following interview, identifies more appointable applicants than available posts, we will hold applicant details on a merit/reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further future appointments can be made. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com to be removed from the reserve list.

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Job contact :

• Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
• Telephone : 0845 241 5359

Recruitment team

• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com