Civil Service Jobs service

Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service

Cabinet Office · Cabinet Secretariat

Job description

The Cabinet Secretary is the principal official adviser to the Chief Minister and Cabinet and the professional head of the Civil Service. The office leads Cabinet procedure, Permanent Secretary coordination, machinery of government advice, continuity and transition, and Civil Service values and standards.

Essential criteria

• Demonstrates the Civil Service values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
• Evidence of senior leadership, sound judgement and the ability to lead a permanent and impartial public administration.
• Ability to give candid, evidence-based advice to ministers and implement lawful decisions while maintaining proper institutional boundaries.
• Ability to establish and maintain governance, risk, records, performance and resource controls appropriate to a senior Civil Service office.
• Realistic availability to carry the continuing responsibilities of the office.

Selection process

Applications are assessed on merit through fair and open competition. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview or assessment. Reasonable adjustments are available.

• Organisation: Cabinet Office
• Reference: SCS-W1-001
• Closing: 4 October 2026 at 23:59