Deputy Private Secretary

This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) opportunity, available on a lateral move basis only. Applications are open to Core Scottish Government employees only. Job Title – Deputy Private Secretary Location – St Andrew’s House Working Arrangement – There is an expectation for this role that you will provide regular in person support in St Andrews House, Scottish Parliament and support the Deputy First Minister on events both domestically and internationally. For this reason this post sits outwith the Scottish Government's standard hybrid working policy. Grade - B3 Advert type - Level Transfer Duration - Permanent Eligibility - Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer at grade B3 from Core SG only. Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK Overview Are you looking for a role where no two days are the same and where your work will have a direct impact on the delivery of Government priorities? Ministerial Private Office (MPO) is one of the most unique and rewarding areas within the Scottish Government. The Deputy First Minister's Private Office (DFMPO) sits at the centre of Government, supporting the Deputy First Minister in delivering responsibilities across Finance, Local Government and wider cross-government priorities. We are seeking a talented and highly motivated Deputy Private Secretary to join the Deputy First Minister's Private Office. As part of a high-performing team, you will support the management of Ministerial business across a varied and fast-moving portfolio. Working closely with the Senior Private Secretary, Private Secretary, policy officials, Special Advisers and a wide range of stakeholders, you will help ensure the Deputy First Minister receives timely advice, effective support and high-quality briefing to enable informed decision-making. You will develop a detailed understanding of portfolio issues and Government priorities, monitor emerging developments and ensure that information is communicated effectively between the Deputy First Minister and the wider organisation. This role requires excellent organisational skills, sound judgement and strong interpersonal skills. You will thrive in a dynamic and often pressurised environment, balancing competing priorities while maintaining a focus on delivering excellent service. Due to the nature of the role and the requirement to provide direct support to the Deputy First Minister, regular attendance at Scottish Government offices, the Scottish Parliament and Ministerial engagements is essential. This post sits outwith the Scottish Government's standard hybrid working policy. Please note this vacancy will also require all candidates to obtain National Security Vetting (NSV) at Security Check (SC) clearance level. Further information about NSV checks can be found on the UK Government website - National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK Key responsibilities Manage designated areas of the Deputy First Minister's portfolio, maintaining oversight of policy developments and emerging issues. Provide a timely and effective flow of information, advice and recommendations between the Deputy First Minister and policy teams across Government. Manage and prioritise Ministerial submissions, correspondence, briefing and other business, ensuring the Deputy First Minister receives the right information at the right time. Support the Deputy First Minister at meetings, events and engagements, ensuring outcomes, actions and decisions are accurately captured and communicated. Build and maintain strong working relationships with policy colleagues, communications teams, Special Advisers, Ministerial colleagues and external stakeholders. Use sound judgement and political awareness to identify risks, opportunities and sensitive issues, escalating where appropriate. Ensure the Deputy First Minister's views and decisions are communicated accurately, professionally and sensitively across the organisation. Contribute to continuous improvement within the Private Office, helping to identify and implement improvements to processes and ways of working. Support the wider office team and work flexibly across portfolio areas when required to ensure the effective delivery of Ministerial business. Success Profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on. Experience: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build positive and productive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels and communicate complex information clearly and effectively. Experience of managing competing priorities and delivering high-quality outcomes within demanding timescales. An ability to analyse information quickly, understand wider organisational and political contexts and exercise sound judgement when handling sensitive issues. Experience of working collaboratively across organisational boundaries and contributing positively within a team environment. Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing – Level 3 Working Together – Level 3 Delivering at Pace – Level 3 Seeing the Big Picture – Level 3 You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot Working Pattern Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. There is an expectation for this role that you will provide regular in person support in St Andrews House, Scottish Parliament and support the Deputy First Minister on events both domestically and internationally. For this reason this post sits outwith the Scottish Government's standard hybrid working policy. You are eligible to claim overtime for any hours worked in excess of 35 per week. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. Further Information Further information about this opportunity is available from [email protected] How to Apply Please submit your CV and an Expression of Interest (maximum 750 words) outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team. Please align this to how you meet the behaviours, experience listed in the Success Profile above. Vacancies close at 11:59pm on the date displayed in the table, unless otherwise stated on the job advert. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples 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, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an informal discussion. Interviews are to be confirmed. Recruitment Principles As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases. About us The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service observing the Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer . As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules . Security checks Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions). You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website , or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide . In addition to the standard pre-employment checks, this vacancy will also require all candidates to obtain National Security Vetting (NSV) at Security Check (SC) clearance level. This type of check normally includes meeting a minimum UK residency period, which for SC level is 5 years. Further information about NSV checks can be found on the UK Government website - National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK If you have any questions about this, please contact [email protected] Equality statement We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. Further information Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website . Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.