Executive Support Officer – Private Office, Ministry of Justice, Glasgow – Visa Sponsorship Available

The Ministry of Justice is seeking an Executive Support Officer for their Private Office in Glasgow. This role is ideal for organized and proactive individuals, including foreign and overseas applicants who require UK work visa sponsorship. With a salary ranging from £29,303 to £31,061, this full-time position offers flexible working arrangements.

Job Description

As an Executive Support Officer, you will be integral to the smooth and efficient operation of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority's (CICA) Private Office. Your core responsibilities will include providing high-quality executive support, focusing on diary management, executive appointments, and crucial secretariat support for CICA's senior leadership and governance forums.

This varied and rewarding role also involves coordinating meetings and correspondence for Non-Executive Board Members (NEBMs), and closely collaborating with colleagues across the organisation to ensure the effective operation of key committees such as the Executive Management Committee (EMC), Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC), and the CICA Board. Furthermore, you will help coordinate activities between CICA and the wider Ministry of Justice department, supporting executive business and senior stakeholder engagement.

Requirements

• Proven experience in providing high-quality administrative, business support, or coordination services within a busy professional environment.
• Exceptional organisational and planning skills, demonstrating the ability to manage competing priorities with meticulous attention to detail.
• Demonstrated tact, diplomacy, and discretion when handling sensitive information and interacting with senior stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to build effective working relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong IT proficiency, particularly with Microsoft 365 applications including Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint.
• Applicants must either possess the right to work in the UK or be eligible for Skilled Worker (Tier 2) visa sponsorship, which is available for this position.

Benefits

• Competitive salary ranging from £29,303 to £31,061.
• Opportunity for flexible working arrangements, including a hybrid model with 50% office presence.
• Be part of a small, engaged, and productive workforce within an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice.
• Contribute to an important part of providing justice for victims of violent crime.
• Generous annual leave allowance and a competitive pension scheme.
• Access to learning and development opportunities within the Civil Service.

How to Prepare

For Nigerian and African immigrants targeting a Support role like this Executive Support Officer position, a meticulously polished application is key. Ensure your CV highlights your administrative, coordination, and executive support experience, explicitly detailing your proficiency with Microsoft 365 and any secretariat duties. Tailor your Statement of Suitability to directly address each essential and desirable criterion, providing concrete examples of your skills in action. Given the nature of this role, demonstrating your ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and manage complex diaries will be crucial.

Beyond your written application, refine your LinkedIn profile to reflect your UK-compatible experience and skills, making it easy for recruiters to find you. If invited for an interview, be prepared to discuss your experience providing high-level support and stakeholder engagement. Crucially, confidently address your visa sponsorship needs; as this role offers sponsorship, frame it as a straightforward logistical step rather than an impediment. Practice articulating how your skills align perfectly with the Ministry of Justice's requirements and how your international background adds value.

• Ensure your CV and Statement of Suitability are tailored to UK standards, highlighting specific achievements and responsibilities relevant to executive support.
• Practice articulating your experience with diary management, minute-taking, and stakeholder coordination using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
• Be ready to discuss your IT proficiency, especially with Microsoft 365, as a technical assessment may be part of the interview.
• Research the Ministry of Justice and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of their mission.
• Prepare smart questions to ask the interview panel, showing your engagement and forward-thinking approach to the role.

Visa Sponsorship & Foreigner Eligibility

Visa sponsorship is available for this Executive Support Officer role, explicitly opening it to foreign and overseas applicants who require a UK work visa. Non-UK residents are encouraged to apply, as the Ministry of Justice has advertised sponsorship. If your visa status is complex or you are unsure about your eligibility, it is advisable to clearly state your current situation in your application or seek clarification from the hiring team during the initial stages.