Personal Assistant

Job Introduction

We’re looking for an exceptional Personal Assistant to help us make a difference to our planet.

As our Personal Assistant, the job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work.

Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week, but we would also consider applicants wishing to work a minimum of 30 hours per week and we will also try our best to consider those intending to work a job share.  Our people are at the heart of what we do and we'll do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone.

World changing work

From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are.

• We’re a force for good - focusing on our environmental and social impact
• We’re experts by nature - always learning and developing to do things better
• We live and breathe it - putting our purpose at the heart of decision-making
• We’re better together - understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater
• We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers

Your world of expertise

You will organise and manage the schedule and associated information flow of one or more senior staff to ensure their time is spent efficiently and effectively in the delivery of their objectives. 

Your key duties

•  To plan and prioritise the busy schedules of Associated Directors (and potentially the Senior Leadership Team), liaising with a wide range of staff and other stakeholders, both internally and externally, to prioritise competing demands and optimise use of their time.  
•  To manage incoming email, organising and maintaining diaries, making appointments, and arranging travel and accommodation. 
•  To act as a point of contact for key customers and internal and external stakeholders, dealing promptly and professionally with all enquiries and correspondence.  
• To organise Senior Leadership team meetings and team briefings, ensuring that all supporting documents and facilities required are available, taking notes and actions where required. 
• Work closely with the other members of the OST to ensure a consistent, joined up approach to managing activities. 
• To undertake any other administrative tasks on behalf of the Senior Leadership team required at the time. 

Why join us

Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is accredited as a 'Great Place to Work UK 2023' and in addition has achieved a place on both the UK's 'Best Workplaces in Tech' and 'Best Workplaces for Women' lists.

As our Personal Assistant, your total reward package will be up to £32,260 annually, which includes:

• £22,852 base pay
• An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave

Essential Criteria, skills and experience:

1. Excellent diary management and event planning skills, proficient in the use of Microsoft Office 365 suite of services.
2. Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to adapt and prioritise in a dynamic working environment.
3. Ability to work pro-actively with minimum supervision, under pressure and to tight deadlines.
4. Ability to operate with tact, diplomacy and discretion, while remaining calm under pressure.
5. Evidence of strong communication and team working skills, with an ability to work together to achieve strategic goals.

How to apply

If you share our values, we’d love to hear from you. Apply below with your CV and provide evidence against each of the essential criteria in the supporting statement questionnaire. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills.

Closing date 23/09/2024 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 02/10/2024. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.

How we can help

If you are considering applying and need support to do so, please contact us via careers@metoffice.gov.uk. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role.

We understand that great minds don’t always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.

We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.