Business Management Personal Assistant (DV Enhanced)

Job summary

About the Government Legal Department

At Government Legal Department we have a vital, single-minded purpose: to help the Government govern well within the rule of law. This is complemented by our exciting vision to be an outstanding legal organisation, committed to the highest standards of service and professionalism and a brilliant place to work where we can all thrive and fulfill our potential.

Our work touches almost every aspect of public life. We are the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters.

Our respected professionals are involved in everything from regulation and litigation to advice on drafting legislation. They provide expertise to the full range of government departments. We are at the heart of delivering the government’s priorities and our success depends on our people. GLD is a non-ministerial government department headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary, and employs nearly 4000 people, including nearly 3000 legal professionals. We have offices nationwide, in Bristol, Leeds, inner and outer London and Manchester. Our lawyers can also be located within other departments and overseas.

GLD also depends on a range of cross-functional professionals to provide our corporate services. There are nearly 1000 colleagues playing an essential part in helping GLD to achieve its purpose and truly deliver much more than law.

This is an exciting time to join GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service.

To find out more about what we do you can view our introductory film. On our website you can hear from team members, find out how to apply and learn about the benefits of working for GLD. You can also read more about the future vision for GLD in our GLD Strategy 2024 – 2027.

Job description

About the Business Management Teams

The GLD Business Management Teams support all our client teams and expert services. The Business Management Profession sits within GLD’s Strategy, People and Culture Directorate. However, BM Teams are co-located in directorates with GLD’s Advisory, Litigation, Commercial and Employment legal teams. We are advertising for a vacancy in Litigation’s Defence and Security Directorate.

National Security Inquires Response Team (NSIRT) is a new team, set up to represent HMG in national security-focussed public inquiries. It advises and represents HMG in processes focussed on accountability and scrutiny of some of the State’s greatest powers – naturally, these are complex, strategic pieces of work, that are both high profile and of high sensitivity for HMG. The current portfolio focusses on inquiries into alleged unlawful killings and cover up in Afghanistan, and the role of HMG in several Northern Ireland Troubles matters.

You would be joining the team just after it has formed, with a key opportunity to help shape it and build it for the future.

Business Management Community

The BM Profession is led by the Head of Profession (HoP),Rachel Farrand, and consists of 15 teams totaling over 320 colleagues.

This is an outstanding opportunity to be involved in delivering an excellent Business Management service in a Department involved in high profile work at the very heart of Government.

“Thank you for your interest in joining our Business Management community. Our work supporting government legal teams is interesting, diverse, and vital to the efficient running of GLD, with the function often being referred to as the engine room of the Department. We have Teams based across different locations and government departments that carry out a variety of work ranging from a PA service, monitoring, and forecasting budgets, organising events and supporting legal casework.

We have invested in and restructured the Business Management function over the last two years ensuring it is responsive, focused and respected as a profession. We have built career pathways and a sense of community.

If you are pro-active and keen to join a dynamic team that welcomes new ideas and innovation, then we would welcome your application.“

The Role

We are recruiting for a Business Management Personal Assistant for the NSIRT team in the Defence and Security Division.

Please note, candidates must either hold or be eligible to obtain DV (Developed Vetting) security clearance plus further enhanced clearance and be available to attend the office at least four days per week (80% office attendance).

This is an excellent opportunity to begin a Civil Service Career, work in a challenging, varied, and important role that is primarily focussed on supporting the day-to-day business of the Deputy Director and their legal team/division. The role requires a very strong skill set in organisation and communication, meeting challenging deadlines and a high degree of attention to detail. All round IT skills are needed as well as the ability to communicate with staff at all grades.

This role falls within Business Management and does not include any legal or paralegal work.

Key responsibilities for the role may include (but are not limited to):

• Proactively managing Directors/Deputy Directors diary/inbox
• Drafting correspondence on behalf of Directors/Deputy Directors
• Facilitating in person meetings for Directors/Deputy Directors and escorting visitors when required
• Printing meeting papers
• Taking minutes at meetings, recording action points, ensuring deadlines are met
• Setting up and administering SLT/team meetings - compiling agenda items, progressing actions, and other associated tasks
• Organising divisional meetings, stand-ups and helping run away-days
• Collation of weekly and monthly returns for clearance by Directors/Deputy Directors
• Booking travel and accommodation for Directors/Deputy Directors
• Facilitating onboarding of new starters to the team
• IT support/training for Directors/Deputy Directors and wider team
• Ensuring the team risk register and databases are up to date
• Encouragement to get involved in corporate events/projects e.g. all staff events, away-days
• Covering for other PAs in the group when required (e.g. sick or annual leave)
• Any other administrative tasks associated with the role

Individuals will have a wider networking focus, in addition to their day-to-day role supporting their respective Directors/Deputy. These provide an opportunity to work with colleagues in the wider Business Management Team and across GLD to deliver corporate tasks and activities. They are great ways to develop your skills and experience which can be an asset in future Civil Service job applications. These activities/tasks can include arranging meetings, all staff events, well-being, skills and careers, training, Business Management away-days and participation in cross GLD working Groups.

This list is not exhaustive, and successful candidates will be required to provide ad-hoc support where and when necessary.

Person specification

Behaviours

Below are details of the Success Profiles that make up this role. Demonstrating all the behaviours listed below is essential at either application or interview. You can read more about Success Profiles and how they are used as an assessment method before completing your application.

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

• Managing a quality service (Lead Behaviour)
• Working together
• Communicating and influencing

Key Skills & Experience

Essential – must be demonstrated at application

• Previous PA experience
• Able to operate effectively under own initiative and within a team
• Proven track record of meeting tight and challenging deadlines
• Strong ability to engage confidently and professionally with a wide range of stakeholders and external contacts
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy, particularly when handling and processing sensitive or official documentation
• Experience of working with a range of Microsoft Office products or equivalent.

Security Clearance Level

You must be willing to obtain DV Enhanced security clearance once in post. This role will require the post holder to be inducted onto the STRAP regime. STRAP is a regime that regulates access to sensitive intelligence material which requires more protective handling than is afforded by the standard arrangements for government assets. To be eligible to apply for STRAP, applicants must hold full UK Nationality or dual/multi-nationality, subject to one part being British and the other part to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Clearance also typically requires a 10-year, verifiable UK-based footprint, where individuals have not been out of the UK for more than 6 months. More information can be found about the vetting and clearance levelsbefore completing your application. Please note, this is a reserved post.

Reserved Posts

Only UK nationals may be employed in reserved posts in the Civil Service. Reserved posts are generally those which, due to the sensitive nature of the work, require special allegiance to the Crown such that they can only be held by a UK national. Irish nationals and Commonwealth citizens are also eligible for employment in reserved posts if they were in the Civil Service at 31 May 1996 or before or were appointed from a recruitment scheme with a closing date for receipt of applications before 1 June 1996.

Sponsorship and Visas

Visa sponsorship is not available for this post.

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,744, Government Legal Department contributes £9,775 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Learning and Development

Benefits of working for the Civil Service

Whatever your role, we take your career and development seriously, and want to enable you to build a really successful career with the Department and wider Civil Service. It is crucial that our employees have the right skills to develop their careers and meet the challenges ahead, and you’ll benefit from regular performance and development reviews to ensure this development is ongoing. As a Civil Service employee, you’ll be entitled to a large range of benefits.

Learning and Development at GLD

GLD has a comprehensive learning and development offer for all employees.

We offer a programme of in-person/hybrid and virtual sessions providing learning on profession-specific, soft skills, technical skills, and different topics. We also support colleagues through a range of different professional qualifications.

Cross-Functional Professional

We support all Professions with building their careers and capability aligning with the wider Civil Service offerings for each Profession.

There are also talent and development opportunities offered throughout the year these include:

Senior Leaders and Future Leaders Schemes – cross Civil Service accelerated development schemes.

Beyond Boundaries – cross government development programme designed to help participants develop the knowledge, skills and networks required to build a satisfying and effective career in the Civil Service.

Mentoring and Coaching – we encourage all colleagues to share their knowledge, capability, and experience.

Apprenticeships - We have a range of apprenticeships on offer across all professions with the opportunity for all employees to explore a profession specific apprenticeship to support their development in role.

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Ability and Experience.

The Recruitment Process

Application

To apply for this post you will need to complete the online application on Civil Service Jobs, searching the reference below. The deadline for this application is Tuesday24th March 2026 at 12:00 Midday.

In your application you will be assessed on the following:

1. A Personal Statement of no more than 750 words demonstrating how you meet the Essential criteria for Key Skills & Experience and how this can be transferred to the role. Full details can be found on the person specification slide.
2. Please provide an individual statements for the following behaviour listed below in no more than 250 words.

• Managing a Quality Service (Lead Behaviour)

Civil Service Tests Online

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete 2 Civil Service Online tests: a Numerical Test and a Verbal Test. You can find out more information and guidance on the tests, including options to take practice tests.

If you are unsuccessful in passing these tests you will be unable to continue any further in the application process. If you successfully pass the tests, you will then automatically progress to the next stage of completing the full application.

It is important you allow enough time to complete all 2 ability tests online and obtain the results before you can complete your full application online and prior to the closing date and time Tuesday 24th March 2026 at 12:00 Midday as once the application is closed you will no longer have access to the ability tests and the application.

Application Errors

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, please contact us via: activecampaigns@governmentlegal.gov.uk Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]’.

Selection Process

After the closing date, the appointing panel shall assess candidates’ suitability for the role based on evidence provided in their application against the behaviours and experience outlined in the person specification.

Please note, if a high number of applications are received, we will sift on Personal Statementalone.

We will conduct a pre-sift on eligibility. This pre-sift will be conducted on nationality and residency for UK footprint requirements for DV Enhanced clearance and Reserved Posts as per Person Specification requirements on pages 5 and 6 of the vacancy notice. Candidates will be asked questions on their application form regarding nationality and residency for UK footprint. A full check on eligibility will be taken at a later stage. Applicants who do not meet the eligibility and nationally requirements for this role will be rejected at pre-sift. If applicants meet the eligibility and national requirements, they will progress to the sift stage.

After the closing date, the appointing panel shall assess candidates’ suitability for the role based on evidence provided in their application against the behaviours and experience outlined in the person specification.

In the eventuality that there are a high number of applicants successful at sift, GLD may operate a longlist, whereby applicants who have been shortlisted and met the minimum pass mark but are not selected for interview will have their application placed on hold. After the initial interview round candidates on the longlist may be offered an interview, should there still be posts available.

Interview

If you are invited to interview, you will be assessed on your performance in the criteria listed in the Person Specification and strength-based questions.

These criteria are:

• Managing a quality service (Lead Behaviour)
• Working together
• Communicating and influencing
• Key Skills & Experience

Your interview will take place online. Full details of the interview will be provided to shortlisted candidates prior to interview.

Offer

The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.

All communications regarding your application will be made through Civil Service Jobs.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible after the interview. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

We appoint in strict order of merit. If you meet the minimum criteria for this position but are not successful for a post, you will be placed on the reserve list. We may contact you to see if you are interested in a post at the same, or a lower grade, in GLD should one arise.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Sukhdip Besely
• Email : Sukhdip.Besely@governmentlegal.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : activecampaigns@governmentlegal.gov.uk

Further information

You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application hasn’t been treated in accordance with these Principles and wish to make a complaint, please contact recruitment_feedback@governmentlegal.gov.uk in the first instance. Please title your email as follows: Job Reference Number – Job Title – Recruitment Complaint. Complaints must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the incident or the decision which has caused the complaint. To fully engage with the issues raised GLD require that you submit evidence of your complaint.

Attachments

EO Business Management Personal Assistant DV Enhanced Opens in new window (pdf, 586kB)