This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.
General Information
Salary
The national salary range is £29,303 - £31,061, London salary range is £33,551 - £35,564. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
Belfast, London
Region
London, Northern Ireland
Closing Date
12-Mar-2026
Post Type
Loan
Civil Service Grade
EO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
15231
Descriptions & requirements
Job description
Civil Servants applying on promotion will be expected to join on the minimum of the pay range.
Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department's pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.
The national starting salary is £29,303. The London starting salary is £33,551. Your salary will be dependent on your base location.
BACKGROUND
The Northern Ireland Office supports the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in promoting the best interests of Northern Ireland. We make sure that Northern Ireland interests are represented within the UK Government and that UK Government responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Northern Ireland. We are the centre of expertise on Northern Ireland issues across Government.
The Northern Ireland Office employs around 170 staff, with offices in Belfast and London. As a small Department, we adopt a flexible project-based approach to ensure that we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place to support the delivery of our key objectives.
Due to our structure and size, we are able to offer extensive exposure to Ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of policy and responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department. This creates an interesting and stimulating work environment.
Our key priorities are set out in our Operational Delivery plan and include:
* Supporting greater inclusion, tolerance and openness in Northern Ireland
* Contributing to a safer Northern Ireland, w terrorist and paramilitary groups are less able to cause harm to communities
* Ensuring that governance in Northern Ireland is responsive, transparent and able to deliver effective public service.
* Addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland
For more information about what we do:
ABOUT THE ROLE:
National Security is one of the foundations on which the Missions set in the UK Government's Plan for Change are built. Through our work to achieve a safer Northern Ireland, the Security & Protection Group (SPG) in the NIO plays a key role in sustaining this foundation, and in the delivery of the Government's Safer Streets Mission. We do this through core teams working on: National Security Policy, Strategy, Programmes and Engagement, Operational Delivery, and Casework and Protection.
We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality work on issues that matter, at pace and often in challenging circumstances. All SPG colleagues have an anchor within one of the core teams, allowing them to build specialist knowledge, expertise and relationships.
Everyone, regardless of grade or experience, also has the opportunity to get involved in project-based work across the group and the wider department beyond their core teams. This approach ensures we add more value, are agile enough to deliver on key departmental priorities and gives everyone in SPG a wide range of developmental opportunities. We are committed to using every opportunity to continuously improve ourselves and our business outcomes.
You can expect diverse, interesting and rewarding work that goes to the heart of public service and you can expect to do this in a safe space w individuals and teams are supported to deliver and encouraged to innovate, stretch, challenge and learn.
We are currently looking to recruit a programme support officer to work flexibly across the programmes, finance and information management, and community engagement portfolio within the Security and Protection Group. Teams work ly across SPG and the wider department on many areas of shared and overlapping interest and this may be reflected in changes to the team structures in the medium term.
In this role, as programme support officer, you will have responsibility for managing finances including budgeting and procurement, ly scrutinising expenditure, monitoring compliance, and providing an information management function. In this role you will ensure the smooth running of a strategic programme of activity in support of the UK Government's responsibility for tackling national security threats in Northern Ireland, as part of a system wide approach that aims to reduce violence and harm from a range of threats. You will play a key role in ensuring that the UK Government's resources are used effectively to improve ways of working across the system to tackle the range of violence and harms, and to reduce individual vulnerability and build community resilience to these harms. You will be comfortable manipulating and assessing large sets of data and managing budgets and will be able to extract clear insights and communicate these effectively to senior officials and ministers.
Outreach and engagement will be at the heart of your work. You will need to build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders across the UK Government, the Northern Ireland Civil Service, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the wider security, law enforcement and justice community to coordinate cross-Government governance processes to evaluate and report on performance, track risk, and ensure senior stakeholders have the right data to facilitate evidence based decision making. You will also need to develop relationships with a wide range of community stakeholders, to build an understanding of the challenges faced by communities in Northern Ireland and the impact these have on sentiment and on the security situation in Northern Ireland, to inform the development and delivery of policies and programmes that help to keep Northern Ireland safe.
As part of a wider team covering policy, strategy, programmes and engagement, you will also be expected to flex to support discrete areas of policy, flexing to take on new work as the strategic context changes and the delivery environment evolves. You will also have responsibility for drafting responses to Ministerial correspondence on a range of issues.
For this role it is important that applicants have experience of working in programme management environments in Government, and experience of building, maintaining and delivering through a diverse network of stakeholders with competing priorities.
Key skills in this role include proactivity, attention to detail, the ability to make sense of and explain complex information to stakeholders in a non-complex manner, particularly in relation to financial and budget management. You will be discreet and thoughtful in your approach, quick to pick up new subjects and proactive in all your dealings. You will have a strong background in budget management and experience in monitoring and evaluation alongside an ability to grip new issues quickly, work ly with senior managers and/or Ministers to deliver at pace. You will have an ability to continually innovate, challenge existing practices and identify opportunities for improvement.
You will be focused on delivering clear outcomes. You will want to work in a group with a strong focus on learning and development. You should be willing to undergo DV clearance for this role.
This is an exciting time to join SPG in what is a high profile and important role that will have regular exposure to senior officials and Ministers.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The main responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:
* Financial coordination and management - day to day management of programme finances including budgeting, profiling and procurement ensuring we meet statutory responsibilities around managing programme funding in compliance with relevant legislation and HMT's 'Managing Public Money' requirements.
* Stakeholder engagement - detailed scrutiny and verification of expenditure, processing of transactions.
* Monitoring and evaluation – the development and implementation of effective monitoring and evaluation techniques and / or metrics
* Data analysis and information management - management of a central performance reporting system, analysis of large sets of varied qualitative and quantitative data, and provision of insights and recommendations to senior decision makers.
* Briefing and correspondence - preparing paperwork for consideration and approval by senior officials and ministers, including briefing and submissions and responses to Ministerial correspondence
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Media monitoring - in relation to paramilitarism and terrorism.
* Support to the programme Steering Group secretariat w required.
* Support on policy development w required.
* Surge support across the wider group on a range of policy work and financial management.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
The post holder will need to demonstrate the following in their application and at interview:
* Strong budget management skills, with the ability to explain complex financial processes to a range of delivery partners and stakeholders.
* Strong partnering and collaborating skills, and the ability to build strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders to support effective delivery of strategic outcomes.
* Excellent communication and influencing skills to influence a wide variety of stakeholders at different levels, and to present complex information and recommendations clearly and impactfully to senior officials and Ministers.
* Sound judgement and analytical skills, the ability to make timely, evidence based recommendations and decisions, the ability to develop workable options for policy delivery, and the ability to present and communicate complex information to a range of audiences.
* Ability to self-organise, prioritise and pay attention to detail
* Demonstrable project or programme management experience, with an ability to rigorously manage delivery, and monitor risks, issues, assumptions, dependencies and opportunities.
* DV clearance is essential and if clearance is not already held, applicants must have a willingness to obtain clearance before taking up the post.
DESIRABLE CRITERIA:
* A good understanding of the political and societal environment in Northern Ireland.
* Experience working on programmes related to national security, community development, or conflict resolution.
* Project or programme management certifications
BEHAVIOURS:
We will assess you against the following Success Profiles behaviours at the EO level (Level 2) during the application sift:
* Managing a Quality Service
* Delivering at Pace
EXPERIENCE:
Please provide your work history and a statement of suitability no longer than 500 words outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria. Both will be used in order to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role.
Your statement of suitability needs to set out evidence of how your experience meets the requirements set out above. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. One narrative example may cover the requirements needed. You don't have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why. What you can do, the skills you have that are transferable and the life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role.
If you don't have work-based examples then give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in.
Your work history will not be formally assessed so please put the main evidence of your skills into your personal statement.
More information on behaviours and success profiles can be found .
Please note that in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run the initial sift on the lead Behaviour "Managing a Quality Service".
INTERVIEW:
At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours:
* Managing a Quality Service
* Delivering at Pace
* Working Together
* Making Effective Decisions
It may help to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the WHO or STAR model to explain:
* WHO- What it was? How you approached the work/situation? What the Outcomes were, what did you achieve? or
* STAR- What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions?
Strengths
You will be asked two strengths questions. It is difficult to prepare for strength type questions. However, you can think through your answers, focus on your achievements and aspects you enjoy and decide how these can be applied in the organisation and role. While strengths questions are shorter and we do not expect a full STAR response, the panel is interested in your first reaction to the question and information or reasoning to support this.
If you do not have work-based examples then please give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in.
All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.
OFFER
Once all interviews have been completed, you will be notified of the outcome by email. Offers will be made in strict merit order to the highest scoring candidate first.
The successful candidate will be notified of a start date following successful security checks.
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.
SECURITY CLEARANCE:
This role requires National Security Vetting given the access to sensitive information afforded by the job role. You can find more information by reviewing the information held in the following links:
United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK )
The vetting charter - GOV.UK )
In addition, t is a minimum UK residency requirement set by the Cabinet Office which is dependent on the security level required for the role.
This role requires DV and to be eligible to apply for this role you should have been present in the UK continuously for the past 10 years
Neither Detached Duty terms nor relocation costs will apply to this post.
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. W 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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Further Information:
Further information about the post may be obtained from Sarah O'Neill via email to
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 the sift stage. Feedback is available on request if unsuccessful following the interview.
COMPLAINTS:
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-) 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:
RESERVE LISTS:
In the event that the advertised post following interview, identifies more appointable applicants than available posts, we may 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- to be removed from the reserve list.
Additional Information
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The NIO offers Hybrid Working arrangements w business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different NIO sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
Flexible working hours
The NIO offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. NIO welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, w they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the NIO's Flexible Working policy.
Benefits:
* 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
* 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after five years service.
* Public Holidays
* Season Ticket Advance
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and supp+ort and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. T are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Support
* A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
* Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
* For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at
* Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
* Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
* To Shared Service Connected Ltd Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-);
* To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-);
* To the Civil Service Commission
As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. We are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.
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 & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wver it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Interview dates
Date(s) TBC
Closing Date:
12/03/2026, 23:55 hours.
Contact information
If you require any assistance please call Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-
Additional Information
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements w business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).
For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location's respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).
Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.
All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, w they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service.
T is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. T are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Eligibility
Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.
Vacancies advertised "cross-government" are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.
Support
* A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
* Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
* For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at
* Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
* Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
* To Transformative Business Services Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-);
* To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-);
To the Civil Service Commission (details available- )
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wver it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
Civil Service Nationality Rules
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 European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.
Contact Information
MoJ:
If you require any assistance please call Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-
Please quote the job reference 15231
HMPPS
If you require any assistance please call Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-
Please quote the job reference
Job Description Attachment
* Band D Job Description Engage (Job Description Attachment)
Select new file
Application form stage assessments
Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Managing a Quality Service, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, w all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Interview stage assessments
Interview Dates
To be confirmed
Behaviours
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Working Together
Making Effective Decisions
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed .
Level of security checks required
Developed Vetting (DV)
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
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. W 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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.