Job Description

About the role

We’re looking for Personal Assistants (PAs) to provide essential support to Department for Education’s (DfE) senior leaders, collectively referred to as Senior Civil Servants (SCS). SCS have job titles including: Deputy Director and Director and are responsible for leading policy areas, programmes and corporate services with the department.

You will complete a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration which will provide you with essential skills to help you undertake your role effectively. There are no minimum required qualifications to take up this apprenticeship.
 

Responsibilities

About you

In this stretching role you will use your interpersonal and organisational skills by providing administrative support to your senior leader.
Some responsibilities include:

 

• Using Microsoft Outlook to manage the inbox of a senior leader
• Using Microsoft Outlook to coordinate the diary of a senior leader
• Booking travel for your senior leader using an online portal
• Preparing your senior leader for meetings
• Taking notes (minutes) of meetings and chasing up actions

There are no minimum qualification or minimum experience required for this role
You will have these essential criteria:

 

• We are looking for someone with good communication skills
• Experience of using various computer software packages including Microsoft Office.
• You will be confident and take the initiative in identifying priorities,
• Able to resolve issues and be adaptable to secure the most effective outcome.

We will ask you to show us these skills in your application.

About the Apprenticeship

This is an excellent opportunity to gain a Level 3 apprenticeship in Business Administration, which includes an embedded BTEC Award Level 4 – Principles of Executive Assistants.
Part of this apprenticeship is to complete a level 2 English and Maths functional skills qualification. If you have already achieved GCSEs in English and Maths at Level 4 (grade C) or above you will not need to complete functional skills.

To be eligible to apply for the apprenticeship you need to meet the following criteria:
 

• Must have lived in the UK and/or EU for 3 years prior to apprenticeship start date.
• Not be undertaking another apprenticeship at the same time
• Please note you will not be eligible to apply for the apprenticeship if you have any degree or degree level qualification, or have a business administration qualification higher than Level 3 or equivalent.

About Us

We are striving for world-class education, training, care for everyone whatever your background. For a more productive economy and so everyone has the chance to reach their potential and live a more fulfilled life.

Benefits

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• We are looking for someone with good communication skills • Experience of using various computer software packages including Microsoft Office. • You will be confident and take the initiative in identifying priorities, • Able to resolve issues and be adaptable to secure the most effective outcome.