The principal role of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is to uphold the rule of law, the cornerstone of the British way of life. The MoJ has a significant role to play in the Government’s work to leave the European Union (EU) and has embarked on an ambitious programme to:

• secure the best outcome for the UK in leaving the EU, in relation to civil, criminal and family law and the legal profession;
• put legal services (which contribute £24bn to the economy, with a trade surplus of over £4bn) at the heart of the Government’s plans for enhancing the UK’s competitive position;
• secure the effective functioning of the UK’s human rights framework; and
• prepare for the country’s future relationships with the EU and the wider world.

In addition to leading these areas of international negotiations, the MoJ is responsible for making sure the justice system is ready to respond to changes and opportunities as we leave the EU and start trading independently.

The Europe Unit in the MoJ sits at the centre of the Department’s work to secure our priorities in relation to the UK’s negotiations with the EU, as well as overseeing our ongoing engagement with the EU on non-exit related work. The unit is responsible for defining and delivering our objectives and strategies for negotiations in response to developments within Government and the EU; overseeing engagement with the EU; and leading two of the MoJ’s priority negotiating workstreams on civil justice cooperation and criminal justice cooperation.

Are you an outstanding communicator with excellent writing and presentational skills? Are you able to build productive relationships with and influence stakeholders? Do you enjoy working collaboratively across different disciplines? Do you enjoy working flexibly in a fastpaced environment and collaborating with your colleagues to meet challenges together? Can you present proposals and advice on complex issues clearly and concisely to a range of audiences – ministers, senior managers, stakeholders and colleagues? Are you comfortable working with digital tools, developing and embracing new and innovative ways of working?

If you answered yes to these questions, then you should consider these roles in the Ministry of Justice. We are looking to recruit two self-motivated, enthusiastic and flexible individuals to work at the centre of our team on issues related to EU exit.

Overview of the Role

We are looking for two enthusiastic people who are keen to take key roles in the team and develop a strong understanding of MoJ negotiation interests and play their part in delivery of effective justice cooperation after exit. The ability to work effectively across team and Departmental boundaries, and strong written communication skills, are essential.

1)    EU Engagement

The post-holder will focus on engagement with the EU member states and EU institutions (i.e. the European Commission and European Parliament, as well as EU agencies such as the Fundamental Rights Agency). Working closely with other team members and policy teams, the post-holder will develop a strategy for engaging with EU member states and institutions to communicate MoJ’s interests and further the Department’s aims in the exit negotiations, and to deliver that strategy in practice. This will mean working closely with counterparts in other Government Departments, where they lead on policy areas involving MoJ priorities, and with the UK Permanent Representation to the EU (UKRep) to maximise MoJ’s influence.

To deliver the strategy, the role will include working with policy teams to develop advice and briefing for Ministers and senior officials, developing strong relationships with counterparts in

other Government Departments and with UKRep to feed into wider Government engagement with the EU Institutions, and keeping abreast of developments in the negotiations to identify opportunities for engagement.

On a typical day you could be:

• Working to deliver international visits on EU exit matters
• Developing a strategy on the MoJ’s approach to EU exit engagement
• Representing MoJ or supporting senior officials at cross-Whitehall meetings
• Co-ordinating with other policy leads, managing and reporting on risks and issues in relation to current negotiating strategies and interests
• Providing briefing for Ministers or senior officials on the Department’s interests

We are looking for an enthusiastic person who is comfortable working with senior colleagues and keen to take responsibility for developing a strong understanding of MoJ negotiation interests and able to develop engagement strategies to support these negotiations. The ability to work effectively across team and Departmental boundaries, and strong written communication skills, are essential.

You may be expected to line manage a band C or a band D member of staff.

Contact for this role: Jonathan Childs, jonathan.childs@justice.gov.uk

2)    Civil Judicial Cooperation

The post-holder will focus on engaging, developing and implementing our civil justice and international agreement negotiation strategies and ensuring domestic preparedness. Working closely with the Band As leading on negotiations and with policy teams, they will engage across Whitehall on our preferred negotiation strategies and ensure that our plans align with wider Government negotiation priorities. They will help deliver our preferred negotiation strategies in practice including ensuring that the necessary implementing legislation is in place. This will mean working closely with counterparts across Government and with our international partners including the EU, the Hague Conference on Private International Law, and third country partners, where appropriate.

To deliver and implement these negotiation strategies and ensure domestic preparedness, the role will include working with policy teams to develop advice and briefing for Ministers and senior officials, developing strong relationships with counterparts in other Government Departments and with UKRep to feed into wider Government engagement with the EU and our international partners, engaging our international partners and keeping abreast of developments in the negotiations to identify opportunities for influence.

On a typical day you could be:

• Developing and implementing strategies for delivering MoJ’s priorities for civil judicial cooperation
• Supporting in engaging and influencing international partners to deliver our preferred negotiation outcomes
• Co-ordinating with other policy leads, managing and reporting on risks and issues in relation to current civil justice and international agreement negotiating strategies and interests
• Working on domestic preparedness, including required legislative programme to deliver our over-arching negotiation objectives
• Representing MoJ or supporting senior officials at cross-Whitehall meetings
• Providing briefing for Ministers and senior officials on the Department’s interests

We are looking for an enthusiastic person who is comfortable working with senior colleagues and keen to take responsibility for developing a strong understanding of MoJ civil justice and international agreement negotiation interests and able to develop engagement strategies to support these negotiations. The ability to work effectively across team and Departmental boundaries, and strong written communication skills, are essential. The role will provide exposure to Parliamentary business (debates, oral questions, etc.), EU and international negotiations, legislation and Ministers. Therefore, previous experience of policy, knowledge and/or working on EU and international issues is highly desirable.

You may be expected to line manage a band C or a band D member of staff.

Contact for this role: Edward Tynan, Edward.Tynan@justice.gov.uk

Essential skills and qualifications

• Ability to make sound judgements and provide well-articulated advice
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and numerical skills
• Experience in using a range of evidence to inform your work and the ability to write effectively under time pressure to a high standard
• Ability to see several points of view and then form a view that supports the Government’s agenda
• Demonstrate confidence and skill to act independently
• Excellent IT and organisational skills
• The ability to prioritise, work effectively at pace and during busy periods

Further to this it would be desirable, but not essential, for the post-holder to:

Have an understanding of policy-making in an EU or international context -   Have an understanding of the justice system

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

Making Effective Decisions

• Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making to help build engagement and present robust recommendations
• Make decisions when they are needed, even if they prove difficult or unpopular
• Explore different options outlining costs, benefits, risks and potential responses to each

Delivering at Pace

• Successfully manage, support and stretch self and team to deliver agreed goals and objectives
• Plan ahead but reassess workloads and priorities if situations change or people are facing conflicting demands
• Regularly monitor own and team’s work against milestones or targets and act promptly to keep work on track and maintain performance

Seeing the Big Picture

• Being alert to emerging issues and trends that have an impact or benefit own and team’s work
• Actively seek out and share experience to develop understanding and knowledge of own work and team’s business area
• Understanding own area’s strategy and how this contributes to Departmental priorities

Leading and Communicating

• Communicate in a succinct, engaging manner and stand ground when needed
• Communicate using appropriate styles, methods and timing, including digital channels, to maximise understanding and impact
• Convey enthusiasm and energy about their work and encourage others to do the same

Selection process details:

A sift based on the competency examples provided will be followed by a competency-based interview process. Successful candidates may also be asked to sit a written test before their interview and/or give a short presentation. The nature and content of this will be provided to candidates who are offered an interview. 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment, and upon request.

If your application falls just below the threshold, you may be offered roles at a lower grade. Expenses are not available for travel to interview.

Location:

London Region.

Roles may involve some travel within the UK or EU.

Closing Date: 16th January 2019 at 23:55 hours

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote the job reference.