75029 -Lead Policy Advisor (3 roles) - Priority Projects Portfolio Team, Strategy and Innovation Directorate, Ministry of Justice

The national salary range is £51,767- £59,590, London salary range is £55,720 - £64,135. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
4
12 Months
London, Yorkshire and the Humber
Leeds , London
102 PETTY FRANCE (MOJ) LONDON, SW1H 9AJ, 5 WELLINGTON PLACE LEEDS, LS1 4AP
Grade 7
Grade 7
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Policy

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.

Lead Policy Advisor, Priority Projects Team, Grade 7 (up to three roles available),Strategy and Innovation Directorate

The Strategy and Innovation Directorate (S&I) is recruiting permanently for three Grade 7 Lead Policy Advisor roles. This campaign is open to current civil servants on level transfer and suitable candidates on promotion.

Location

Successful candidates will have the option to be based at one of the following locations:

  1. 102 Petty France, London
  2. 5 Wellington Place, Leeds

Occasional travel between Leeds and London may be required. 

Ways of Working

At the MoJ we believe in and promote alternative ways of working, these roles are available as:

  • Full-time, part-time or the option to job share
  • Flexible working patterns
  • Flexible working arrangements between base locations, MoJ Hubs and home.

At the moment, the majority of staff are working flexibly between their office base and home, with at least two days per week in their office base. 

If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition.

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

Job Description overview

Lead Policy Advisors play a central role in leading project-based policy work. We are looking for motivated, resilient and adaptable individuals who are able to get to grips with new subject areas quickly to deliver high quality projects in collaboration with teams across MoJ.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ)

MoJ is one of the largest government departments, employing around 70,000 people (including those in the Probation Service), with a budget of approximately £9 billion. Each year, millions of people use our services across the UK - including at 500 courts and tribunals, and 133 prisons in England and Wales.

What we do

The Priority Projects Team (PPT) is a high-profile, friendly and supportive team working at the heart of the MoJ’s strategy function.  We act as an in-house consultancy, working across the MoJ’s policy agenda, helping the department to deliver its highest priorities.  We do this by delivering short policy or internal consultancy projects to the highest standards. 

Each project is unique, fast-paced and exciting.  Members of PPT typically work in small project teams lasting from a few weeks up to six months, working closely with policy and functional leads across the organisation.  Sometimes PPT members may work directly in another policy team to undertake project work.  Recently our projects have included working on victim’s policy, criminal legal sector, problem solving court options, and justice and the economy. 

Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Lead Policy Advisor – the role

Lead Policy Advisors play a central role in leading project-based policy work. We are looking for motivated, resilient and adaptable individuals who are able to get to grips with new subject areas quickly to deliver high quality projects in collaboration with teams across MoJ.

You will need to be able to get to grips with new subject areas quickly. You will have strong analytical and problem-solving skills and are able to communicate complex ideas clearly.  You will need to be confident working independently and comfortable working with ambiguity, leading the delivery of complex and challenging policy projects across the MoJ’s policy responsibilities. 

You will be responsible for the initiation, development and delivery of project-based policy work within the context of the MoJ strategy and political direction of the department, and within tight resourcing constraints. You will often be leading a small project team and will need to have strong leadership and management skills. You will be responsible for ensuring that there are clear roles and responsibilities and for supporting individuals to thrive in their roles. You will need to be confident in managing relationships with senior stakeholders, providing the strategic overview for a project whilst ensuring day-to-day milestones are met.  You will ensure good communication with project sponsors throughout projects

The role will give you the opportunity to work with senior stakeholders across MoJ as well as other government departments and will usually involve engagement with the ministerial team and private offices.  You will need to develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of stakeholders within Government, including ministers, special advisors, legal, analytical and operational colleagues.

You will be part of the Extended PPT Senior Management Team, adopting a leadership role across PPT and feeding into discussions on performance of those colleagues you directly line manage as well as others on the team. You will have line management responsibility for up to three Band B / Senior Executive Officers. We work in a matrix management structure and you will manage individuals outside your line management on projects. This will involve working closely with your peers to support the development of individuals in the team.

Alongside your core role, you will be expected to take a leading role in corporate projects that contribute to shaping the culture and development of the team, such as wellbeing, diversity & inclusion, recruitment, or learning and development. to underpin how we work as a team and contribute to MoJ as a whole.

You will have access to many training opportunities on a range of topics, for example: leadership and coaching, effective writing, stakeholder engagement and partnership working.

Skills and Experience

  • Make effective decisions – you will have strong problem-solving skills, bringing structure to complex policy issues and able to draw sound conclusions, drawing on a range of evidence and analysis to deliver high-quality, innovative and inclusive policy advice. This will include working with quantitative and qualitative data to develop a robust evidence base.
  • Lead and engage- you will be an open and engaging leader, committed to building an inclusive and high-performing culture within the team, setting strategic direction and supporting your direct reports through coaching. You will have a focus on personal development and wellbeing, playing an active leadership and management role across your team, directorate and the MoJ.  
  • Work collaboratively– you will have excellent stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build and maintain strong relationships, and influence across the department and beyond to ensure that the work of your team has maximum impact. You will be open to challenge and able to effectively navigate conflicting priorities.
  • Deliver at paceyou will have strong prioritisation skills and the ability to make effective decisions on how to structure projects to make best use of your resources. You will have the ability to impose structure on complex problems, allocate scarce resources in the context of the department’s strategy and political direction, and set-up and lead teams and bring colleagues together to reach your end goal.
  • Communicate complex ideas clearly– understanding and articulating complex issues to senior stakeholders and ministers, drawing on your understanding of the bigger picture to ensure communications are clear, concise, effective and relevant, and taking into account political sensitivities.

Application process

You will need to submit an anonymised CV and Statement of Suitability as part of your application. 

Your CV should be no more than 2 pages long and should show us your work history and previous experience.  It should be well structured, succinct and written in clear language.

Your statement of suitability should be no more than 1000 words and should give us examples of how your skills and experience meet those needed for this role.  Consider giving examples that cover all the requirements and use work you have completed to demonstrate your experience.

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework at interview stage, with a focus on your experience and the following behaviours:

  • Making effective decisions
  • Leadership
  • Communicating and influencing
  • Working together

Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade (Grade 7):

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf

Should we receive a large number of applications, we will sift primarily on the lead behaviour of making effective decisions. Successful applicants will then be invited to an interview, testing both behaviours and strengths.

Candidates invited to Interview

You will be required to give a five minute presentation at interview.  Details of this will be sent to those candidates who are invited for interview. 

Please note that interviews may be carried out remotely.

During the interview, we will be assessing you on your Experience, Behaviours and Strengths from the success Profiles framework. 

Interviews are expected to take place in June 2023.

At interview stage, if candidates do not score high enough to be appointed to a Grade 7 role, but have passed the minimal requirements, they could be offered a Policy role at the more junior level. 

The MoJ is proud to be Level 3 Disability Confident. Disability Confident is the approach through which we offer guaranteed interviews for all people with disabilities meeting the minimum criteria for the advertised role as set out in the job description.

Contact information  

Please do get in touch if you would like to know more about the role or what it is like working in our team.

Fraser Morris (fraser.morris@justice.gov.uk)

Annex A - The STAR method

Using the STAR method can help you give examples of relevant experience that you have. It allows you to set the scene, show what you did, and how you did it, and explain the overall outcome.

Situation - Describe the situation you found yourself in. You must describe a specific event or situation. Be sure to give enough detail for the job holder to understand.

  • Where are you?
  • Who was there with you?
  • What had happened?

Task - The job holder will want to understand what you tried to achieve from the situation you found yourself in.

  • What was the task that you had to complete and why?
  • What did you have to achieve?

Actions - What did you do? The job holder will be looking for information on what you did, how you did it and why. Keep the focus on you. What specific steps did you take and what was your contribution? Remember to include how you did it, and the behaviours you used. Try to use “I” rather than “we” to explain your actions that lead to the result. Be careful not to take credit for something that you did not do.

Results - Don’t be shy about taking credit for your behaviour. Quote specific facts and figures. Explain how the outcome benefitted the organisation or your area. Make the outcomes easily understandable.

  • What results did the actions produce?
  • What did you achieve through your actions and did you meet your goals?
  • Was it a successful outcome? If not, what did you learn from the experience?

Keep the situation and task parts brief. Concentrate on the action and the result. If the result was not entirely successful describe what you learned from this and what you would do differently next time. Make sure you focus on your strengths.

 

 

 

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.

Eligibility

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.

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 GOV.UK or 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

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.

Interview dates To be confirmed

05/06/2023, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com Please quote the job reference - 75029.

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.

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on one lead behaviour. The chosen lead behaviour for this campaign is Making Effective Decisions.
if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance

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

Behaviours
Making Effective Decisions - 250 word limit
Experience
CV
Statement of Suitability - 1000 word limit
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Making Effective Decisions
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.
Additional Assessment(s)
Presentation

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.