Private Secretary

Job summary

The Private Secretary sits within the Chief Executive’s Office team, who provide private office support and a governance function for the organisation. This high impact role requires navigating a wide range of complex issues and working closely with senior officials.

Working to the Head of Chief Executive’s Office and alongside another Private Secretary, the Private Secretary is responsible for articulating The National Archives’ aims, activities and interests across government, the archives sector and beyond.

Job description

The Private Secretary is a key player in managing day-to-day interactions with ministerial private offices, responding to ministerial correspondence and parliamentary questions, and providing expert advice to the rest of the organisation on government-facing issues. They also work closely with The National Archives’ Policy and Government Services teams to provide oversight and expert analysis of key policy, legislative and business initiatives across government and within The National Archives, particularly in relation to data and digital information policy. The Private Secretary also collaborates with colleagues in the Archives Sector Leadership team, ensuring that the Chief Executive is well briefed on issues impacting the archives sector.

The Private Secretary prepares briefings for the Chief Executive and writes speeches and speaking notes for his external engagements, working closely with the Media and wider Public Engagement teams.

This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department. A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex information concisely and with good attention to detail

• Proven ability to build strong trust-based relationships with senior stakeholders using diplomacy, tact and understanding of others’ priorities to achieve common goals

• Sound political judgement, with the ability to identify the different needs and agendas of different stakeholders and adapt your approach accordingly

• Good analysis, problem solving and project management skills, able to work on own initiative on complex issues and deliver high-quality products to tight deadlines

• Good knowledge of the workings of Parliament and/or government

• An understanding of the strategic issues facing The National Archives, and the environment in which the organisation operates

• A high level of integrity and confidentiality and a proven ability to deal with sensitive material

Application Process

• Interview: there will be a 2 stage interview process, and interviews will be held on site. The 1st stage interview will include a written test.

• Personal Statement: We ask all applicants to submit work history details and a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words

Selection for interview will be based on the ‘essential’ requirements shown above so please ensure that your application demonstrates in detail how you meet these requirements.

If we receive a large number of applications candidates will initially be assessed on the following criteria:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex information concisely and with good attention to detail

SC clearance/willingness to obtain SC clearance will be required for this role. This requires candidates to have been resident in the UK for at least the past five years. Please do not apply if you have been resident in the UK for less than five years as your application will be rejected.

We are unable/able to offer sponsorship for this role.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,000, The National Archives contributes £13,036 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development.

Any move to The National Archives 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk;

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Reasonable adjustments:

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

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

• Contact The National Archives via [email removed] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
• Complete the “Assistance required” 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

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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