19476 - Strategy Assistant
If we receive a high volume of applications for this role we will sift on the lead competency, "seeing the big picture".
102 Petty France, London, with opportunities for flexible working
Job description
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Strategy Unit for a Band C role to support the delivery of our strategic projects and wider work. You will support a range of cross-cutting projects and pieces of work commissioned by Ministers and senior stakeholders, requiring you to quickly get to grips with complex problems across a range of policy areas.
Who we are
The Strategy Unit sits at the heart of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Our team works to set and steer the Department’s strategy in line with the Secretary of State’s vision for the justice system, bringing in outside thinking and working across Government; and helps to answer the big strategic questions the Department is facing. We work closely with the Implementation Unit to take a joined-up approach to our work wherever we can.
The Strategy Unit is part of the Ministers, Parliament, Strategy and Implementation (MPSI) Directorate within the Justice Policy, Strategy and Communications Group.
What we do
The Strategy Unit gets involved in a variety of different pieces and types of work – but at the heart of each is the need to bring the department together in a more strategic, joined-up way. Over the past year our work has included:
- Supporting the new Ministerial team to identify and articulate key priorities for the year
- Supporting financial allocations by developing an approach to prioritise activities which are affordable, deliverable and align to ministerial priorities
- Working across the Department to develop our Medium-Term Strategic Plan
- Acting as a pre- and post-election / reshuffle clearing house
- Supporting the establishment of a new co-ordinated cross-government approach to reoffending by liaising with Number 10, EDS, HMT and others
- Establishing a cross-Whitehall Strategy Forum
- Leading cross-departmental projects on priority and strategic issues
- Through the Justice 2030 project, horizon scanning to understand global trends which impact the operating environment of the justice system and what these could mean for the future of the MoJ
How we work
The Strategy and Implementation Units are driven by the following values:
- To be inquisitive and confident to find insightful, evidence-based solutions
- To take a fresh approach in our work, being open-minded in embracing new ideas, trying new things and sharing our work
- To be unafraid of providing honest feedback and views, even if they are challenging, and to welcome challenge, however uncomfortable
- To be approachable and supportive to each other and the wider department
- To earn people’s trust by working together to build a shared understanding of the work we are doing
- To be transparent with each other, sharing information and knowledge freely to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect
Why work in the MPSI directorate?
- You will have the ability to build influence at the heart of the department and with the centre of government. The areas you work on will make a real difference to the department and those we provide services to. There will be a high degree of independent work and close engagement with senior stakeholders across the MoJ.
- We have a Directorate-wide learning and development programme, which starts with an interactive induction plan and detailed personal objectives.
- As well as supporting the directorate in getting things done we also understand the importance of supporting our teams. The individuals working within MPSI are our most valuable resource and through flexible working, network events and mentoring we strive to ensure our Directorate is a positive environment to work in.
- We are applying the right technology and the right tools (such as SharePoint and Skype) to provide a modern and forward looking working environment. We encourage a culture of change and innovation and adopt smarter ways of working to provide flexibility.
Candidate requirements
The successful candidate will be a team player, taking a calm and considered approach to their work, and being able to win the confidence of colleagues and senior stakeholders. Ideally s/he will have experience of supporting projects, and a track record of contributing to successful collaborations with colleagues and stakeholders. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.
Key responsibilities
- Support cross-cutting projects to take a medium- to long-term strategic view of opportunities, challenges and risks.
- Undertake research and analysis on key areas of interest as required.
- Support the engagement of internal and external stakeholders in the work of the Strategy Unit, including across Whitehall
- Support the delivery of the team’s strategic co-ordination work across the Department, contributing to briefing materials for senior stakeholders and Ministers on priority areas.
- Keep abreast of Departmental priorities and external developments, bringing together departmental data, internal intelligence and external analysis to support the delivery of the Strategy Unit’s work
- Work with colleagues to develop and maintain a strategic toolkit to support the wider work of the Strategy Unit
- Improve the team’s approach to gathering, analysing and managing external intelligence around justice issues.
- Contribute to regular reporting on progress and performance to the head of unit
- Deliver corporate functions as required, including providing a strategic overview of advice submitted to Ministers from across the department (rotating responsibility).
This role will report into the Senior Strategy Adviser.
Skills
The following skills would be desirable for this role:
- Ability to work constructively and at pace with colleagues within and outside your own team
- Experience of project work and / or stakeholder engagement
- Able to deliver clear written and oral arguments under pressure
- Understanding of policy development and the justice sphere
Competencies
You will be required to demonstrate evidence of the following competencies (if we receive a high volume of applications we will sift on “seeing the big picture”:
- Seeing the big picture: you will understand how your work supports the Department’s priorities, and take an active interest in developing your knowledge
- Making effective decisions: you will have the confidence to analyse complex information and engage with colleagues to refine your understanding; you will be able to clearly communicate how and why decisions have been made.
- Collaborating and partnering: you will be able to build and maintain a diverse network of contacts. You will identify opportunities for sharing and developing knowledge and learning, and help to create a diverse and inclusive environment within the team.
- Delivering at pace: you will keep projects under review and be confident in proposing improvements to ensure delivery of our objectives; you will take ownership of challenges and problems and seek proactive solutions. You will need to be a self-starter who is willing to set themselves challenging goals.
Working Arrangements & Further Information
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
Generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 25 days per year, and rising as your service increases. 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.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as salary sacrifice arrangements for childcare vouchers, and voluntary benefits such as retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
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.
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.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.
There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
17/07/2018, 23:55 hours.
Closing Date: 17th July 2018 at 23:55
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 19476.
For job-specific queries, please contact Sam Whyte, MoJ Strategy Unit, at samantha.whyte@justice.gov.uk
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.
Candidate Information
You may be required to provide statements describing your skills and experience relevant to each of the selection criteria. We recommend that you structure any examples as Situation, Task, Action and Result. For more information about the recruitment process and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
In the event of a large number of applications, we reserve the right to undertake the following processes:
- An automated online test where a benchmark must be passed to progress;
- A sift on the lead selection criteria. If this happens, the lead criteria will be the first one listed in the advert.
During the selection process, you may be asked to undertake an additional assessment (such as written test). If this is applicable you will be notified of this when you are invited to interview.
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.