53043 - HR, Change and Project Leads
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
The Department
The Ministry of Justice is one of the largest departments across Whitehall with a high profile, fast-paced and complex delivery and reform agenda. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society.
The role of the Ministry is to protect the public and reduce reoffending, and to provide a more effective, transparent, and responsive criminal justice system for victims and the public. We will achieve this by improving public safety, reforming prisons, probation, and youth justice to build a system that delivers swifter access to justice with increased certainty for all citizens whatever their background.
For more information on who we are and what we do, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice
People Group
The role of People Group is to support the organisation and its 85,000 people by enabling our colleagues to work to their full potential.
We operate as a cluster of HR services working seamlessly to provide expert support, advice and delivery throughout the employee lifecycle. From the time people join the organisation, to the point at which they leave, we strive to make a positive contribution to their work experience. We want everyone who works for the Ministry of Justice to feel confident in their skills, ambitious for the future and fulfilled by their work and relationships with their colleagues
Our aim is to develop a safe space, allowing you to be creative in a challenging and stretching environment which supports you to reach your full potential. As we as delivering against your delivery objectives, you will be encouraged to play an active role in cross-team and wider People Group corporate activities as well as taking time to concentrate on your continuing professional development.
Our HR and people services cover MoJ HQ, our Arm’s Length Bodies, Prison and Probation Services.
Our roles are based nationally and you may be responsible for a specific region or area in a Senior HR Business Partner role, leading an HR expert services team or division, or leading on a major MoJ people change initiative
The Roles
Working alongside Deputy Directors and their Senior Leadership Teams our G7 HR leads design and deliver tailored HR and People Change interventions to drive improvements in all areas of HR including but not limited to effective leadership, people management, organisational design and development, change management, diversity and inclusion and workforce strategy
You must have a willingness to develop deep expertise within your work area e.g. diversity and inclusion – race and LGBT+
Postholders will work closely with colleagues across People Group to provide business insight to improve HR processes, systems and the service provided to business areas. They will address medium and longer-term challenges by working closely with MoJ's People Group's centres of expertise and HR colleagues across MoJ and its agencies, as well as the wider Civil Service professions.
You will be responsible for forging productive relationships with relevant senior leadership teams, enabling translation of business priorities and strategy into a coherent people agenda with targeted interventions.
Key to this role is the need to be a credible people focused professional with the ability to establish quality relationships. Working across the regional / expert services HR teams, the G7 Lead is the primary contact for senior stakeholders and their success is reliant upon the strength and support of the rest of the People Group function, centres of expertise, Operational teams and Shared Services as such the individual will need to be able to deliver through others.
In addition to experienced HR Professionals we are looking for senior Project Management Professionals that can design and lead our people projects, working with our HR and business change leads, Finance, Business Analysts, Commercial and other colleagues across the department to lead on the continuous development of HR project and business cases, risks and in particular, benefits management.
To be successful you will be a self-starter with drive and energy, strong interpersonal skills and a team-centric and collaborative way of working.
You will need to be highly capable, innovative, flexible, driven, highly organised, be able to see the bigger picture and have a high level of energy and attention to detail. Strong leadership, engagement and interpersonal skills are just as important as HR, project and change management experience.
We have a number of permanent roles available in addition to long term/fixed term appointments (up to three years). We are also willing to accept loan/secondments for a minimum of 12-months with the possibility of an extension as a level transfer or on promotion.
Summary:
You must have:
- Experience and ability to influence and deliver through others;
- Strong stakeholder management skills built on a foundation of trust and professionalism confidently, concisely and effectively communicating with a wide range of stakeholders at all levels
- Finely tuned communication skills, with the awareness and ability to sensitively tailor messages to various audiences without compromising the key points
- Personal drive and ambition, with a focus on delivering a quality service to a broad range of customers
- Effective leadership skills, both directly and via matrix management, with the ability to engage and inspire others
- Receptive to feedback, and keen to implement and innovate change
- Resilient in the face of challenge, with the confidence to present and defend your view
- A positive approach to problem solving
- A collaborative approach, keen to work with others to achieve progress against shared objectives.
- Awareness of the wider context of the country, department and profession, and an understanding of the impact of these on your area of work.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties:
Activities and responsibilities may include
- Working closely with Deputy Directors and Senior Leadership Teams on strategic workforce planning to establish existing and future workforce numbers, skills requirements and organisation structures
- Providing support and advice on resourcing vacancies, ensuring compliance with Civil Service Commissioner Principles
- Advising on and delivering talent management - supporting building capability through implementing talent reviews, supporting performance validation and advising on capability plans for the business,
- Supporting Deputy Directors and Senior Leadership Teams to identify and plan employee engagement interventions, using Civil Service People Survey data, that will drive increased capability and performance
- Engaging Directors and Senior Leadership Teams to ensure people issues and risks are considered at the appropriate time
- Supporting the implementation of changes by proactively planning and advising on effective change management
- Ensure comprehensive and effective project plans and associated documents are in place to control and track the successful delivery against milestones and priorities;
- Resolution of any identified strategic, scope, planning or resource issues, and where appropriate escalating options and recommendations for resolution of complex and high impact issues to the People Group Boards and relevant Senior Management Team.
- Responsible for anticipating issues and problems, and where necessary intervening (including taking responsibility for directly producing project deliverables) to prevent slippage or failure to meet key milestones;
- Lead and develop matrix managed teams including project resources and other HR functional experts to ensure projects are delivered on time
- Required to consult and negotiate directly with Trade Union representatives and other stakeholders to inform the design and delivery of projects or initiatives
- Make connections and develop key relationships within project and programme teams to ensure successful engagement with operational/business resource, key stakeholders and end users where appropriate
- Ensure delivery of Prison Officer Entry Level training (POELT) training, where applicable, within region as well as offering mutual aid to support nationwide operational training delivery.
Some travel may be required for these roles.
Selection Process:
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience. Please refer to the Civil Service Success Profile guidance to find out more about each of the elements for the grade to which you are applying.
Application stage:
At application stage, candidates are asked to provide:
- A CV of no more than 2 pages setting out your skills, career history with key responsibilities and achievements and any qualifications you may have relevant to the role.
- A supporting statement setting out how you meet the essential knowledge, experience and skills set out in the job advert (1250 words max). Giving examples rather than just saying you're experienced with a certain requirement will strengthen your statement and enable the sift panel to understand more about your suitability for the role.
In the event of a high volume of applications, the initial sift will be undertaken using your supporting statement against the essential criteria. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift against all the elements listed above.
Interview stage
Candidates successful at sift will be invited to an interview where you will be assessed on your demonstration of the behaviours set out below at Grade 7 level, in addition to strengths relevant to the role (not shared in advance).
- Communicating and Influencing (Lead Behaviour)
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Bigger Picture
- Working Together
Candidates will also likely be asked to give a short presentation at interview to assess the Communicating and Influencing behaviour, the details of which will be released with the sift scores to those invited to interview.
Interviews will be held via video utilising Microsoft Teams. Further details and instructions will be provided closer to the scheduled interview date.
Essential Knowledge, Experience and Skills:
- Strong experience of leadership in a people focused team, with experience of leading on people strategy, or previous experience as a HR Business Partner
- Proven experience of developing business change strategies to support people focused project initiatives which are tailored to the needs of the business.
- Ability to design, plan and deliver people change activities and interventions, following best practice approaches and methodologies to support broader people change programmes
- Excellent project management skills with experience of working within an organisation of significant scale and or complexity.
- Data and insights driven with experience of using business and behavioural insights which anticipate and shape the impact of change programmes.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to build strong, trust-based professional partnerships with a range of stakeholders at all levels, quickly and effectively.
- Strong consultancy, partnership and relationship building skills
- Experience of leading matrix managed teams including project resources and other HR functional experts to ensure projects are delivered on time
Security clearance required:
Minimum Eligibility
All candidates are subject to BPSS security and identity checks prior to taking up post
All external candidates new to the Civil Service are subject to 6-month probation.
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.
There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on UKor Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
- To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
21/02/2022, 23:55 hours.
To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.
For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).
If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:
- You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
- You were studying abroad
- You were living overseas with parents
In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.
Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.
We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.
Application form stage assessments
Interview stage assessments
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
· UK nationals
· nationals of the Republic of Ireland
· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
· individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
This Vacancy is closed to applications.