JOB DESCRIPTION SPECIAL ADVISER TO CARAL NI CHUILIN MLA, MINISTER OF CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE. Introduction

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION SPECIAL ADVISER TO CARAL NI CHUILIN MLA, MINISTER OF CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE JOB DESCRIPTION Introduction 1.1 The employment a Special Adviser adds a political dimension to advice available to Minister while reinforcing political neutrality permanent Civil Service by distinguishing source political advice and support. 1.2 The post holder is employed to help Minister on matters where work Norrn Ireland Administration and her party responsibilities overlap and it would be inappropriate for permanent civil servants to become involved. He/she is an additional resource for Minister, providing advice from a standpoint that is more politically committed and politically aware than would be available to Minister from Civil Service. 2. Status and Conduct Special Adviser as a Civil Servant 2.1 The Special Adviser to Carál NI Chuilin MLA is a civil servant appointed under Article 3 Civil Service Commissioners (Norrn Ireland) Order 1999 but appointment is exempt from general requirement that civil servants should be appointed on merit and behave with political impartiality and objectivity so that y may retain confidence future administrations. The appointment will end, if it

2 is not terminated earlier, on appointing Minister ceasing to hold fice. 2.2 The Special Adviser will be required to conduct himself/herself with integrity and honesty. They should not: deceive or knowingly mislead Assembly or public; misuse ir ficial position or information acquired in course ir ficial duties to furr ir private interests or private interests ors; receive benefits any kind which ors might reasonably see as compromising ir personal judgement or integrity; without authority, disclose ficial information which has been communicated in confidence in Administration or received in confidence from ors; use ficial resources for party political activity. 2.3 The Special Adviser is employed to serve objectives Administration and Department Culture, Arts and Leisure. He/she should avoid anything which might reasonably lead to criticism that people paid from public funds are being used for party political purposes. 2.4 The Special Adviser stands outside Departmental hierarchy and will not be responsible for budgets or for line management permanent civil servants, including ir recruitment and matters covered by ir contract employment such as ir appraisal, reward, discipline and promotion.

3 3. Roles and Responsibilities 3.1 The role Leisure is to Department include: Special Adviser to Minister Culture, Arts and serve objectives Administration and Culture, Arts and Leisure. His/her responsibilities will (i) reviewing aspect which ensuring that papers he/she going to sensitive This advice may be on (or than staffing thinks issues), has Minister, drawing attention to any political points any aspect party political implications, and are handled including advice to when he is taking part in party political activities; properly. departmental business Minister (ii) devilling for Minister, and checking findings from a party political viewpoint; facts and research (iii) preparing speculative policy longterm policy thinking within which reflect papers political viewpoint which may generate Department, including policies Minister s party; (iv) liaising with cross-departmental Special Advisers to interest; or Ministers on issues (v) contributing to policy planning within areas which extend to existing range Minister with a political viewpoint in mind; Department, including options available to (vi) liaising with Minister s party, to own policy reviews and from party, ensure analysis take full that and encouraging presentational advantage Department s ideas activities by party which contribute to Administration s and Department s objectives;

4 (vii) assisting with briefing Assembly Members and fidals Minister s party on issues MmlnishaLlon s policy; (viii) liaising with outside Interest groups, Including groups with a political allegiance to assist Minister s access to ir contribution; (Ix) speechwrlllng and related research, Including adding party political content to material prepared by permanent dvii servants; (x) representing views MinIster to media Including a party viewpoint, where helshe has been authorised by Minister to do so; (xl) attending party functions (although helshe may not speak publicly at party conference) and maintaining contact with party members; (xli) taking part In policy reviews organised by party for purpose ensuring that those undertaking review are fully aware Mmlnistratlon s views and MInIster s thinking and policy.

5 PERSON SPECIFICATION SPECIAL ADVISER TO CARAL NI CHUILIN, MINISTER OF CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE Person Specification In addition to fulfilling Special respect Adviser, person person specified requirements appointed will specification for post: meet job description for following essential post criteria in Excellent communication skills. Competent in use information technology. Working knowledge Knowledge local Knowledge Understanding Norrn Ireland. Knowledge media in Norrn Ireland. government and issues Current driving licence. policies and affecting culture, public arts political institutional personnel in sector in Norrn Ireland. and leisure in Norrn Ireland. arrangements Sinn Féin Party. and issues in

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