Seems about right if you consider them giving you a slight premium for your starting salary due to your masters and your 13 years of exp in academia are treated as useful but not directly relevant so it is halved (~7years). Of course if you compare with someone who starts off in the Ministry from a fresh grad (not saying that you should compare) and after working for 13 years in that place, that person will definitely be paid more than what they offer you. Also, have to bear in mind it is a contract job.