Commonwealth Summit 2018 - B2 Policy Advisers (3 posts) Grade: B2 Closing date: 18 August - Cabinet Office
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Commonwealth Summit
2018
B2 Policy Advisers (3 posts)
Grade: B2
Closing date: 18 August
1
Contents
Welcome from the Chief Executive…………………………………………………………………….3
Message from the Prime Minister………………………………………………………………………4
What is the Commonwealth?...............................................................................5
The Commonwealth Summit……………………………………………………………………………..6
The Commonwealth Summit Unit…………………………………………………………………..…6
Our offer………………………………………………………………………………………………………....6
Role Specification…………………………………………………………………………………………...7
The Recruitment Process………………………………………………………………………………..10
Terms, conditions and benefits…………………………………………………………………..….13
2Welcome from the Chief Executive
Thank you for your interest
in the Commonwealth
Biography Summit Unit
I am delighted that you are interested in joining what will be a
Tim Hitchens is the Chief
Executive Officer of the unique and memorable moment of your career – delivering one
Commonwealth Summit 2018. of the UK’s biggest national moments since the Olympic Games.
He reports directly to the
Prime Minister, and leads a The Queen and the Prime Minister have high ambition for the
new organisation in the
Cabinet Office advise the Summit, with the Prime Minister describing it in her Lancaster
Prime Minister and her House speech as “a reminder of our unique and proud global
Cabinet on the delivery of the relationships”.
Summit, and to coordinate
and oversee its preparation. To deliver on their ambition we need to assemble a team of all
Tim recently returned from
Japan where he was Her the talents from a diverse range of backgrounds. Whatever that
Majesty’s Ambassador. His background, we’re looking for creative, driven and enthusiastic
previous roles include Director people with a determination to make the Summit a success. This
General (Economic and
pack explains the specific roles we’re looking for in more detail.
Consular) and Africa Director
at the Foreign Office, as well
as Assistant Private Secretary Roles in the Summit team will stretch and develop you more than
to The Queen. most in your Civil Service career – there will be some challenging
days ahead but most importantly, it will also be enormous fun,
and an unforgettable experience.
I look forward to your application and the prospect of welcoming
you to the Cabinet Office.
3Message from The Prime Minister
The Prime Minister attending this year’s
Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey
As we prepare to host the Commonwealth Summit in London
next April, we are reminded of the unique and proud global
relationships that we have forged with the diverse and vibrant
alliance of Commonwealth nations.
The UK has a longstanding and firm commitment to the
Commonwealth and to the values it upholds, of democracy,
human rights and the rule of law.
And in hosting the Commonwealth Summit next year, the UK
is committed to working with all members not only to reaffirm
these shared values, but also to re-energise and revitalise
the Commonwealth to cement its relevance to this and future
generations.
As we look to create a truly global Britain, the deep
partnerships that we share through a 21st century
Commonwealth can help us strengthen the prosperity and
security of our own citizens, and those of our many friends
and allies across the world.
4What is the Commonwealth?
The Commonwealth is a unique membership of 52 nations spanning every continent, with
a combined population of around 2.4 billion people – over 60% of its people are under 30.
The Commonwealth is incredibly diverse, ranging from G7/G20 economies like Canada,
India and Australia; the world’s biggest emerging markets like India, Malaysia and South
Africa; to some of the smallest states on earth like Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and
Grenada.
Unlike other international organisations every member state has an equal voice in the
Commonwealth, meaning the interests of its 30 small states are addressed. Trade
between Commonwealth countries is projected to hit $1 trillion by 2020, supported by a
common language and legal systems.
Its members are united in their commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law
and the promotion of peace and prosperity - core values which underpin ‘The
Commonwealth Charter’. Its main purpose is to enable dialogue between its members on
issues of mutual concern, and at its bi-annual meeting of its heads of government
(‘CHOGM’), provides a mechanism for governments to solve problems together.
5The Commonwealth Summit
In April 2018 the UK will host the Commonwealth Summit to set out a shared future for a
vibrant and diverse Commonwealth, with leaders from more than 52 countries expected to
attend. The Summit – one of the biggest national events since the Olympic Games – will
take place over seven days across London and Windsor with associated events and
festivals across the UK.
For the first time, Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle will be among the summit
venues. During the Summit week leaders from over 52 countries will gather for the
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (‘CHOGM’). The Summit will also see the
UK take over as ‘Chair-in-Office’ of the Commonwealth until 2020.
The Commonwealth Summit Unit
In January the Cabinet agreed to establish a new unit in the Cabinet Office – led by Tim
Hitchens as CEO – to advise the Prime Minister on the delivery of the Summit, and to
oversee and coordinate its preparation. The Unit will also support a new Inter-Ministerial
Group (IMG) co-chaired by the Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary to provide
ministerial oversight of Whitehall’s preparations.
The unit will expand to around 80 people in the coming months, comprised mainly of two
Directorates for policy and operations, led by Harriet Mathews and Sarah Bartholomew
respectively.
Our Offer
This is a unique opportunity to work on one of the Prime Minister’s biggest foreign policy
priorities – to deliver a significant moment for Global Britain and shape our future
relationship with a third of the world’s population.
The Cabinet Office is looking to fill a range of demanding but highly rewarding posts
across several teams in the Commonwealth Summit Unit.
All posts will offer the chance to:
● Gain unique insight and experience of delivering a major international summit;
● Advise the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on a wide range of policy, operational
and international issues;
6● Learn how the Cabinet Office coordinates and drives government business across
Whitehall, and internationally;
● Become an expert in relationship management by working with a wide range of
stakeholders including No10, Whitehall departments, the Royal Household,
business, civil society, the Police and foreign governments.
These roles involve working with a high level of autonomy, flexibility and discretion. They
will require you to have excellent stakeholder management skills to drive work across
Whitehall through regular contact with senior officials across all departments, but
especially No10, the Foreign Office and Home Office. Political nous and the ability to
deliver at pace are particularly desirable. Line management opportunities are available for
some roles.
Role Specification
Policy Adviser (3 posts)
Role: To coordinate policy development and implementation plans for the Commonwealth
Summit. Successful applicants will be expected to:
develop expertise in the area, including staying up to date with the latest policy
developments
engage relevant stakeholders including Whitehall departments, academics,
businesses and non-governmental organisations
coordinate policy development with Whitehall departments to ensure that HMG
strategic priorities are reflected, providing challenge and impetus as needed
help create negotiating and influencing strategies, working with the international
engagement team to ensure their information is up to date
help to design, coordinate and deliver major business and civil society forums that
will take place during the week of the Summit.
help translate policy areas into practical proposals, working closely with the
programme team and partners
make a strong corporate contribution to the Commonwealth Summit Unit, including
helping promote an inclusive learning and development culture
Roles and responsibilities are likely to remain flexible and change, particularly as we
get closer to the delivery of the Summit.
7The Recruitment Process
How to Apply Please apply via the Cabinet Office recruitment portal:
Please be aware that the Civil Service now operates an anonymised
selection process, replacing names with unique identification numbers
until the interview stage of the process.
The closing date for applications is 23:55 on 18 August.
Overview of the All applications will be reviewed by the Unit, and candidates will be
Process
notified of the outcome in the week commencing 21 August.
Interviews are scheduled to take place in the week commencing 28
August.
Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could
be subject to change.
Feedback will only be available to candidates who reach the interview
section of the process or beyond.
Arrangements for Interviews are scheduled to take place in the week commencing 28
interview August
Interviews will take place in 10 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0NN
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility
through the recruitment and selection process.
Expenses incurred by candidates during the recruitment process will
not be reimbursed by the Department except in exceptional
8circumstances and only when agreed in advance.
Reserve Lists If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have
vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve
list until June 2018. Future vacancies in the unitt requiring the same
skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list
without a new competition.
Closing Date The deadline for applications is 23:55 on 18 August 2017..
9Terms, Conditions and Benefits
The information offered in this document is supplied in good faith but does not in itself form any
part of the contract of employment.
Appointment Term Existing Civil Service staff will join on loan to the Cabinet Office until
15th June 2018 and return to their home departments thereafter.
New entrants to the Civil Service will be offered a fixed term contract
until 15 June 2018.
However, there is the possibility of an extension for other roles
depending on wider Cabinet Office resourcing needs after the delivery
of the summit.
Location Westminster, London. Some travel may be required.
Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.
Working Arrangements These roles are available for full-time, part-time or flexible working
arrangements (including job share arrangements). However, closer to
the Summit (January 2018 onwards) flexible and part-time working will
be more difficult to accommodate.
Salary Range The post is at the B2 level.
Pay awards are made in line with current Civil Service pay
arrangements.
Staff applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary
minimum or within 10% of existing salary. Individuals appointed on
level transfer will retain their existing salary.
10Leave Allowance Staff on loan will remain on their home department’s leave allowance
and leave cycles. In recognition of the demanding nature of roles in the
Summit Unit, we are pleased to offer 2 days additional annual leave
entitlement to all staff. This must be taken while in the Unit.
Training and We are committed to investing in our staff and offer a range of work
Development
based training and qualifications, coaching and mentoring opportunities
and a guaranteed five days of learning a year.
Modernised Terms and Civil Servants taking up appointment on promotion will adopt the
Conditions
modernised Civil Service terms and conditions which came in to effect
from 1 July 2013. Existing Civil Servants appointed on level transfer will
retain their existing terms and conditions.
Eligibility Civil Service wide.
Security Clearance The successful candidate must hold or be willing to obtain security
clearance to Security Clearance (SC) level. Not having SC clearance
should not dissuade you from applying.
Reserved for UK This is not a reserved post.
Nationals
Equality and Diversity The Department is committed to being an equal opportunities
employer. We value and welcome diversity. We aim to develop all our
staff to enable them to make a full contribution to meeting the
Department's objectives, and to fulfil their own potential on merit. We
will not tolerate harassment or other unfair discrimination on grounds of
sex, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disability,
age, religion or sexual orientation. We will promote and support the use
of a range of flexible working patterns to enable staff to balance home
and work responsibilities; and we will treat people fairly irrespective of
11their working arrangements.
Under the terms of the Equality Act 2010, we are legally required to
consider making reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled
people are not disadvantaged in the recruitment and selection process.
We are therefore committed to meeting, wherever possible, any needs
you specify in your application. We will also consider any reasonable
adjustments under the terms of the Act to enable any applicant with a
disability (as defined under the Act) to meet the requirements of the
post.
The Department uses the 'two ticks' Disability Symbol, showing it is an
employer which has a positive attitude towards applications from
disabled people. The Department also offers a Guaranteed Interview
Scheme (GIS) for all disabled applicants. We are committed to
interviewing all applicants with a disability who provide evidence of
meeting the minimum requirements necessary for the post, as set out
in this applicant pack.
To be eligible, your disability must be within the definition laid down in
the Equality Act 2010. A disabled person is defined by the Equality Act
2010 as someone who has a physical or mental impairment, which has
a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to perform
normal day-to-day activities. For the purposes of this policy, these
words have the following meanings:
● 'substantial' means more than minor or trivial
● 'long-term' means that the effect of the impairment has lasted,
or is likely to last, 12 months (there are special rules covering
recurring or fluctuating conditions)
● 'normal day-to-day activities' include everyday things like eating,
washing, walking and going shopping.
Should you consider yourself eligible to apply for this post under the
12GIS, please complete the form at Annex B.
Civil Service Code All civil servants are subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Code
that details the Civil Service values, standards of behaviour and rights
and responsibilities. For further information, visit Gov.UK.
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