Assistant 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 explored and utilised

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Delivers and promotes innovative, creative and practical solutions, with a commitment to continuous improvement
• Tries new or different approaches and is willing to take appropriate risks, learn from mistakes and adapt

Upskilling for the Future

• Committed to building own expertise, knowledge & skills for the future
• Proactively seeks development opportunities and regularly reflects on learning experiences, with awareness of own strengths and weaknesses
• Understands what the team needs to do, to build future readiness and skills

Strategy, Change &
Reform

Strategic Capability & Future Focus

• Actively contributes to the development and evaluation of strategic plans, focusing on the short, medium and long term goals
• Supports the development of broader organisational and departmental policy, strategy, and objectives

Contextual Awareness & Adaptability

• Strong understanding of wider Civil Service policies and relevant developments in the Public and Private Sector
• Demonstrates awareness of changing circumstances, environment and context, with the ability to respond and adapt as necessary

Supporting Change & Reform

• Leads and supports others through change, highlighting the benefits and addressing resistance, concerns or feedback
• Supports the change and reform agenda by putting forward recommendations, implementing agreed change and focusing on improvement

Delivering Excellence

Managing Work & Resources

• Manages a programme of work, taking ownership over own independent projects and also overseeing team-based work
• Effectively plans and prioritises in the face of competing demands and resource constraints, ensuring results are delivered
• Estimates, manages and allocates resources effectively

Commitment to Quality Outcomes

• Sets high standards and goals for self and others with commitment to meeting these
• Advocates for delivering excellence in customer service and customer experience and instils this on others
• Monitors efficiencies, value for money and adheres to corporate governance requirements

Learning, Responding, Evaluating & Improving

• Quickly gets up to speed with new tasks or roles, gaining an understanding of 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

Analysing & Evaluating Information

• Can quickly gather, analyse and critically evaluate data from a range of sources, to identify key information
• Ensures data is collected, analysed and utilised on a regular basis to support work and to facilitate effective decision making
• Analyses and evaluates complex verbal and numerical information in an accurate and timely manner

Problem Solving

• Manages issues and solves problems in an informed, logical and composed manner, seeking additional information and inputs where necessary
• Effectively deals with difficult, ambiguous situations and 'on-the-spot' issues, quickly determining the best course of action

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 or impact and sharing the rationale for decisions made

Leading, Motivating & Developing

Developing, Motivating & Supporting Performance

• Ensures their team have exposure to development opportunities, strategically delegating tasks or projects and considering existing strengths and development needs
• 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

• Creates and communicates a clear vision and goals
• Shows authenticity, passion and commitment to their work and reminds the team of the wider purpose and impact
• Leads with integrity, honesty, transparency and accountability

Empowerment, Psychological Safety & Inclusion

• Creates an inclusive, psychologically safe and open team environment
• Empowers their team by fostering autonomy, trust and honest communication
• As a leader, champions equality, diversity and inclusion, taking meaningful action through the work of their organisation and 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

• Gains insight and expertise through engaging with internal, external and international experts and colleagues
• Represents the organisation and department at formal and informal events, with professionalism and awareness
• Committed to continuous professional development, actively engaging in relevant courses, conferences and activities to keep knowledge up to date

Communicating Effectively & Listening to Understand

• Communicates and presents in a clear, professional, engaging and efficient manner, across verbal, digital and written communications
• Demonstrates understanding 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

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 or negotiations
• Approaches difficult discussions, conflict or negotiations with respect, thoughtfulness, composure and self-assurance

Relationship Building & Stakeholder Engagement

• Utilises interpersonal skills to build and maintain working relationships within and outside of own area, team and department and organisation
• Engages and consults regularly with relevant stakeholders, managing expectations and providing insightful, open and transparent updates

Collaboration, Consultation & Cross-Functional Working

• Maximises opportunities to collaborate by asking the right questions, offering support, being proactive and showing understanding of others' objectives
• Proactively involves and consults with others, across all workplace arrangements such as remote, hybrid or blended or office-based