40609 - Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Victims' Commissioner

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

Candidates wishing for further information please contact Russell A'Court on 07957 693147.

Overview

The Victims’ Commissioner (VC) is a statutory office holder. The role is established in legislation under the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 and amended by the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.

Since the first VC appointment in 2010, the Commissioner has played an important role in promoting the interests of victims and witnesses, encouraging good practice in their treatment and reviewing the Code of Practice for Victims, as well as holding Government to account.

The Chief Executive Officer role is an exciting opportunity to lead the Office of the Victims Commissioner (OVC) in providing support and advice to this key statutory office holder. Your support to the VC will include:

• Leading the office to help the VC fulfil her statutory duties;
• Supporting the VC to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and government agencies;
• Providing robust and strategic advice to the VC;
• Responsibility for managing a budget of 0.56 million and managing resources effectively and efficiently.
• Helping to influence and design the VC’s priorities and strategic plans ; and
• Managing key stakeholders and being the VC’s key point of contact and representing the VC as various key meetings.

You will in effect, be, her representative, sounding board and voice across the victims and criminal justice landscape.

Details of the work of the Victims’ Commissioner and her office, her most recent annual report, her second term strategic plan, and her office, can be found on her website: www.victimscommissioner.org.uk

The current Victims’ Commissioner is Dame Vera Baird QC. Dame Vera was appointed in June 2019 for a three-year term. 

Job Description

Chief Executive Officer 

 The role involves challenging and varied responsibilities. These include leading the OVC, supporting the VC to draft their strategic plans, and overseeing the OVC to deliver key outputs in support of the VC’s Strategy.  You will manage a team of six staff, setting the team’s direction, and prioritising the team’s resources effectively. The role also includes managing input into VC responses to Government consultations and the development of key policy initiatives, so that they meet the priorities of her strategic plan and respond to changes in the victim landscape. There is also the opportunity to draft speeches for the VC, and inform and influence her policy positions. You will need to be able to form close relationships with a number of key stakeholders across Whitehall, including working closely with MoJ Communications team, as you will be expected to handle reactive media enquiries (in any out of office hours) and be able to prepare lines to take and op eds (articles reflecting the opinion of the author) at short notice. You will need strong presentation skills and be able to speak publicly with confidence and deliver presentations to a high standard at workshops and high-profile external meetings.

Additional responsibilities will include:

• Developing strong relationships with a wide range of internal and external (including third sector) stakeholders;
• Advising and briefing the VC on wide range of issues including meetings with Ministers, senior judiciary and heads of criminal justice agencies;
• Promoting the VC’s work and overseeing the delivery of OVC reviews and research to support the strategic objectives of the VC;
• Overseeing all OVC recruitment;
• Working with finance business partners to manage the OVC’s budget; and
• Collaborating with the MoJ through the ALB Centre of Expertise, policy teams and other central MoJ corporate support services.

Skills & Qualifications

Essential

• At least two years’ experience of working in the criminal justice system and a genuine desire to improve the treatment and support for victims of crime.
• Strong Leadership skills making sure colleagues and stakeholders have a clear understanding of objectives, assuming full responsibility for the management of allocated resources, and to be able to identify issues with political or policy implications.
• Experience of leading a team, you will have a proven track record of inspiring and motivating teams to utilise their experience, promote inclusion, fulfil their potential, and take developmental opportunities.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to draft clear and succinct briefing for Ministers and the Judiciary, and the ability to deputise for the VC and speak clearly and confidently at events and conferences on her behalf
• Ability to identify implications of criminal justice system priorities, political priorities and Departmental Strategy on victim policy and practice and ensure that OVC policy and activities take these into account.
• Ability to develop a deep knowledge of the Criminal Justice system and the victims landscape in particular and be able to use this knowledge to further the work of the VC, particularly with her work on reviews and research, using a strong grasp of the subject matter to discuss and agree recommendations and priorities
• Ability to analyse data and identify trends, being able to use this information to recommend and produce future policies and organisational strategies.

• Ability to establish, build and maintain strong relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders who are of strategic importance to the organisation, and to bring together the views and perspectives of these stakeholders to gain a wider picture of the landscape, surrounding activities and policies in relation to victims.
• Ability to think creatively to make well informed and authoritative proposals, weighing up evidence analytically to choose the most effective and appropriate course of action.
• To have an awareness of the political landscape and in this context consider the long- term influences of policy and strategy

Desirable

• A detailed knowledge of the organisation together with a clear working understanding of the external operating environment
• Experience in working in tandem with an External Communications team and dealing with lines to take and reactive media enquiries at short notice
• A background in working with victims
• Experience of working in an Arm’s Length Body and being held to account by a core department 

You will be required to provide evidence of the following Behaviours: 

• Leadership

To promote diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity, respecting difference and external experience. Ensure colleagues and stakeholders have a clear understanding of objectives, activities and time-frames. Consider the impacts of own and team’s activities on stakeholders and end users. To stand by, promote or defend own team’s actions and decisions where needed. To inspire and motivate teams to be fully engaged in their work and dedicated to their role, providing constructive feedback and praise where appropriate to drive positivity within the team. 

• Working together

Actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and stakeholders to achieve progress on shared objectives. Build strong interpersonal relationships across the Department and wider Government and show genuine care for others. Understand the varying needs of the team to ensure they are fully supported, and their experiences are utilised. Challenge assumptions while being willing to compromise if beneficial to progress. Remain available and approachable to all colleagues and be receptive to new ideas. 

• Delivering at Pace

Ensure everyone understands their own roles, responsibilities and business priorities. Set out clear processes and standards for managing performance at all levels. Ensure delivery of timely quality outcomes, through provide the right resources to do the job. Review, challenge and adjust performance levels to ensure quality outcomes are delivered on time, rewarding success. Give honest, motivating and enthusiastic messages about priorities, objectives and expectations to get the best out of people.