Assistant Private Secretary to Chief Executive

LondonPlease be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not overseas.Travel within the UK will be required on an occasional basis, possibly with overnight stays.Job SummaryThe FSA is a non-ministerial department of over 1600 people. We play a critical role in protecting public health and consumers’ wider interests in food across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our vision is an important one - to drive change, delivering “food you can trust” and working towards a healthier and more sustainable food system.Job DescriptionAre you highly organised, proactive, and ready to work at the centre of a mission-driven organisation? The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is looking for an exceptional Assistant Private Secretary to support our Chief Executive, Katie Pettifer.This is a unique opportunity to join the FSA’s Private Office, a fast-paced, friendly, and collaborative team that plays a vital role in supporting senior leaders and connecting the organisation. You’ll be the Chief Executive’s primary diary manager, coordinating meetings, travel, and engagements with a wide range of stakeholders. You’ll also help prepare briefings, organise visits, and ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.The FSA is a rewarding place to work, united by a clear mission: to ensure food is safe and is what it says it is. Our Private Office team sits at the heart of this, enabling our leadership to deliver with confidence and clarity.We’re looking for someone who thrives on solving problems, can juggle competing priorities, and enjoys working closely with senior stakeholders. You’ll need excellent judgement, strong communication skills, and a sharp eye for detail.If you’re curious, confident, and love being organised, this is your chance to make a real impact in a high-profile role. You’ll gain a bird’s-eye view of the organisation, develop valuable skills, and be part of a supportive team that’s passionate about what we do.Ready to step into the heart of the FSA? Apply now.Are you highly organised, proactive, and ready to work at the centre of a mission-driven organisation? The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is looking for an exceptional Assistant Private Secretary to support our Chief Executive, Katie Pettifer.This is a unique opportunity to join the FSA’s Private Office, a fast-paced, friendly, and collaborative team that plays a vital role in supporting senior leaders and connecting the organisation. You’ll be the Chief Executive’s primary diary manager, coordinating meetings, travel, and engagements with a wide range of stakeholders. You’ll also help prepare briefings, organise visits, and ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.The FSA is a rewarding place to work, united by a clear mission: to ensure food is safe and is what it says it is. Our Private Office team sits at the heart of this, enabling our leadership to deliver with confidence and clarity.We’re looking for someone who thrives on solving problems, can juggle competing priorities, and enjoys working closely with senior stakeholders. You’ll need excellent judgement, strong communication skills, and a sharp eye for detail.If you’re curious, confident, and love being organised, this is your chance to make a real impact in a high-profile role. You’ll gain a bird’s-eye view of the organisation, develop valuable skills, and be part of a supportive team that’s passionate about what we do.Ready to step into the heart of the FSA? Apply now.Person specificationPlease read the attached Candidate Pack to discover further details about the role, our organisation, who we are looking for and the criteria we will assess against during the selection process.We look forward to receiving your application and wish you every success.BehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:Managing a Quality ServiceAlongside your salary of £37,151, Food Standards Agency contributes £10,762 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Our candidate pack details the benefits that the FSA has to offer. Please also refer to the attached Terms and Conditions statement.Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Ability and Experience.Full details of the selection process are detailed in the attached candidate pack.Application and shortlistingYou will be asked to provide personal details (not seen by the Panel) and to confirm your eligibility to apply for the role.Ability: You will be asked to complete an online test and, if successful, will proceed to the rest of the application.You will then be asked to complete an application which will be used to assess you against the following essential and desirable criteria. (Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie between candidates).ExperienceEssential criteriaLead criteria: Exceptional organisational and prioritisation skills, with experience managing complex diaries, coordinating logistics, and ensuring high-quality delivery of engagements in a fast-paced environment. Experience of managing competing priorities under pressure, using initiative and discretion to make decisions and adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining high standards. Experience working with stakeholders outside your own team – building relationships and holding people to account for delivery. Strong problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to interpret complex information and exercise sound judgement. This role requires a high standard of written English. Your grammatical accuracy and use of plain English will be assessed via your personal statement and CV. Desirable criteria (Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie between candidates).ExperienceExperience supporting and working closely with senior leadership Lead Criteria An initial sift will take place on the Lead Criteria.In the event that we receive a large number of applications, the minimum pass mark for the Lead Criteria may be raised at shortlisting stage. Candidates who apply under the DCS, GPTW or RIS schemes and meet the minimum requirements will be unaffected by the pass mark raise.InterviewIf successful at shortlisting stage, you will be invited to a final interview in which we will assess you against the following Experience / Behaviour requirements of the role and Civil Service Behaviours.BehavioursManaging a Quality Service ExperienceExceptional organisational and prioritisation skills, with experience managing complex diaries, coordinating logistics, and ensuring high-quality delivery of engagements in a fast-paced environment. Experience of managing competing priorities under pressure, using initiative and discretion to make decisions and adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining high standards Experience working with stakeholders outside your own team – building relationships and holding people to account for delivery. Assessment exerciseAs part of the interview process, you will be asked to complete an assessment. Further information will be provided to you prior to the interview.Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)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. Where 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. Expected TimelineAdvert closes: 28th November 2025Sift: w/c 1 December 2025Final panel interview: Expected to take place w/c 15th December 2025Interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams. (If you do not have the Microsoft Teams application installed on your computer, you can join on the web without installing the application).Please note that indicated dates may be subject to change.Childcare VouchersAny move to the Food Standards Agency from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare.Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.ukReserve ListA reserve list will be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointment may be made.Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.Visa SponsorshipPlease note that the FSA does not offer visa sponsorship and cannot provide advice on visa applicationsMaking a complaintThe law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.If you feel your application has not been treated fairly in accordance with the principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should email the FSA’s Director of People at jo.bushnell@food.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Ability and Experience.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirementsThis Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:UK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals 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 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil ServiceFurther information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.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.The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.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 and InclusionThe Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicantsJob Contact :Name : Caitlin KearnsEmail : Caitlin.Kearns@food.gov.ukRecruitment teamEmail : hr.recruitment.campaigns@food.gov.ukFurther informationIf you wish to raise a complaint then please email hr.recruitment.campaigns@food.gov.uk in the first instance.