Principal Officer

Digital Focus, Innovation & Upskilling for the Future

Digital Focus

• Drives the digital-first agenda by ensuring that digital tools and IT solutions are prioritised and implemented

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Delivers and encourages innovative, creative and practical solutions, striving for continuous improvement
• Creates an open and trusting work environment, where challenging the norm, taking measured risks and learning from mistakes is encouraged

Upskilling for the Future

• Committed to building own expertise, knowledge & skills for the future
• Ensures their people and Organisation are building future readiness and nurturing talent, to deal with current and future demands
• Proactively seeks development opportunities and regularly reflects on learning experiences, with awareness of own strengths and weaknesses

Strategy, Change &
Reform

Strategic Capability & Vision

• Develops a clear vision and strategic plan for their area, setting goals which map to organisational and government objectives
• Actively contributes to the development of broader organisational, departmental and government strategy, policy and objectives
• Evaluates the success and impact of current strategy and makes necessary amendments

Contextual Awareness & Adaptability

• Strong understanding of wider Civil Service policies and relevant developments in the public and private sector
• Anticipates, adapts and responds to developments in the sector and external environment, reviewing and revising strategic and/or operational plans as necessary

Implementing Change & Reform

• Leads others through times of change and transformation – communicating a clear vision, listening to feedback and addressing concerns
• Leads on the implementation of significant change and reform, critically appraising suggested change and delivering best possible improvements
• Listens and responds appropriately when met with criticism or resistance to change

Delivering Excellence

Prioritising Work, Resources & Quality-Focus

• Effectively manages multiple agendas and significant work programmes, allocating or securing resources to meet priorities
• Oversees work and monitors progress to ensure delivery against key Organisational objectives and business plan priorities
• Ensures high standards are set and maintained, leading by example to encourage others commitment to quality

Accountability, Responsibility & Governance

• Provides regular and accurate updates to relevant stakeholders and governing bodies/executives
• Within their team(s), instils the importance of efficiencies, value for money, adherence to policies/protocol and corporate governance requirements
• Demonstrates accountability for self and team

Learning, Responding, Evaluating & Improving

• Gets up to speed with new tasks or roles at a fast pace, asks questions to understand requirements, relevant information and sensitivities
• Is flexible, agile and resilient in the face of difficulty or emerging demands
• Seeks feedback and evaluates delivery against required outcomes, taking action to learn, respond and improve

Analysis, Judgement & Decision Making

Analysis, Evaluation & Critical Reasoning Ability

• Can quickly gather, analyse and critically evaluate relevant data from a range of sources, identifying key information
• Ensures the team and organisation gather and utilise data to inform future decisions
• Analyses and evaluates complex verbal and numerical information, such as policies, strategies, budgets or statistics

Managing Issues & Complexity

• Effectively manages complex situations and ambiguous or 'on-the-spot' issues, deciding on the best course of action quickly and confidently
• Solves complex problems in an informed, logical and composed manner, seeking additional inputs where necessary

Informed Judgement & Decision Making

• Makes balanced judgements and decisions, drawing from evidence, experience and relevant policies and procedures, while also considering contextual issues or sensitivities
• Makes important, urgent or difficult decisions in an appropriate, timely and ethical manner, considering the broader implications, governance issues and political sensitivities
• Openly and honestly shares the rationale for decisions made, to ensure transparency, build confidence and trust

Leading, Motivating & Inspiring

Developing, Motivating & Supporting Performance

• Ensures their team have exposure to development opportunities, strategically delegating projects, considering individual suitability and project demands and urgency
• Supports and motivates high performance by providing recognition, guidance, coaching and regular feedback
• Utilises and promotes both formal and informal performance management techniques

Vision, Purpose & Authenticity

• Inspires their team and brings people along, by showing authenticity, trust, passion and living the organisational values, by example
• Creates a clear vision for the team, reminding them of the wider purpose and impact
• Leads with integrity, honesty, transparency and accountability

Empowerment, Psychological Safety & Inclusion

• Creates an inclusive and psychologically safe team environment, which empowers, trusts, and respects all members
• As a leader, champions equality, diversity and inclusion, taking meaningful action through the work of their Organisation/Department and in supporting a diverse workforce

Social & Emotional Intelligence

• Openly prioritises the wellbeing of self and others, instilling a culture of support, empathy and consideration
• Demonstrates high self-awareness and ability to manage own emotions and behaviour, particularly in challenging situations

Leading with Specialist Insight

Adding Value with Specialist Expertise

• Demonstrates a high degree of specialist expertise and knowledge in their area
• Adds value to the organisation and department by utilising their specialist expertise to meet the business needs and shape broader policy or strategy

Leading & Advocating

• Leads and provides direction, through openly sharing insights, knowledge, evidence and rationale in a non-technical manner
• Advocates and explains the value of their area or expertise and why it is necessary to prioritise
• Recognised as a thought leader or subject matter expert in their area of expertise, providing guidance, knowledge and leadership

Building Networks, Knowledge & Insights

• Networks with experts at conferences and events, sharing relevant information, learnings and drawing inspiration from others at a national and international level
• Committed to continuous professional development, actively engaging in relevant courses, conferences and activities to keep knowledge and insights up to date

Communicating Effectively & Listening to Understand

• Communicates and presents in a clear, persuasive and impactful manner, across verbal, digital and written communications
• Demonstrates self-awareness of own communication approach, adjusting style as appropriate for the audience
• Appreciates diversity and makes an active effort to involve different people, to bring challenge and alternative viewpoints
• Communicates with transparency to external audiences in areas of public interest

Influencing & Negotiation Skills

• Tactfully influences and persuades others and considers compromise when necessary
• Develops an understanding of context, sensitivities and differing perspectives when engaging in discussions/negotiations with key stakeholder groups or the political system
• Approaches difficult discussions, conflict or negotiations with respect, thoughtfulness, composure and self-assurance

Networking, Representing & Stakeholder Engagement

• Builds useful networks and engages with relevant stakeholders, both within and outside of their own organisation and department
• Consults regularly with key stakeholders, managing their expectations and providing insightful, open and transparent updates
• Represents the organisation or Department with professionalism and awareness, taking opportunities to promote the work of the organisation or department, where appropriate

Collaboration, Cross-Functional Working & Relationship Management

• Utilises interpersonal skills to build and maintain effective working relationships at all levels, including in a remote or hybrid working environment
• Maximises opportunities to collaborate and engage in cross-functional working, ensuring their team do not operate in a silo
• Stays abreast of organisational developments and the work of other teams, showing interest, providing input and offering support to other senior managers