71979 - Modern Judiciary Policy Lead, Judicial and Legal Services Policy Directorate
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.
Modern Judiciary Policy Lead
Grade 7
Judicial and Legal Services Policy Directorate
The Judicial and Legal Services Policy (JLSP) Directorate is recruiting to fill an interesting post at Grade 7. This campaign is open to current civil servants on level transfer and suitable candidates on promotion.
Location
Successful candidates will have the option of being based at one of the following locations:
- 102 Petty France, London
- 5 Wellington Place, Leeds (occasional travel between Leeds and London may be required)
In order for Policy Group to meet its evolving business needs and for us to continue to progress towards our pre-pandemic levels of attendance, all Policy Group staff are expected to attend their base location (102 Petty France or 5 Wellington Place Leeds) at least 2 days a week. This hybrid working arrangement is not contractual and as a result staff could be asked to attend their base location more frequently.
Ways of working
At MoJ we believe in and promote alternative ways of working. Applicants can apply to these roles with a view to working full-time, part-time, or as part of a job share. We are also happy to consider flexible working arrangements, including with respect to location.
If the number of suitable applicants exceeds the number of advertised vacancies, we may operate a reserve list for 12 months. In this case, future vacancies requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition.
About us
Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
MoJ is one of the largest government departments, employing around 80,000 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.
We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves on 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.
Judicial and Legal Services Policy (JLSP) Directorate
JLSP is part of MoJ’s Policy Group. We are responsible (1) for supporting the Deputy Prime Minister, in his capacity as Lord Chancellor, to fulfil his responsibilities in respect of the judiciary; and (2) for the department’s sponsorship of the legal services sector. Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice.
Judicial Engagement and Strategic Reform (JESR) Division
JESR is a small, friendly and supportive division within JLSP. The team is responsible for (1) supporting the Lord Chancellor and the wider department in engaging the judiciary; (2) advising the Lord Chancellor on his constitutional responsibilities; and (3) leading on the development of policies that further enhance the attractiveness of holding judicial office, to ensure we have a modern judiciary that is well placed to meet the challenges of the future.
The role: Modern Judiciary Policy Lead (Grade 7)
The postholder will play a leading role on the Modern Judiciary Programme, which is taking forward various policies aimed at further enhancing the attractiveness of holding judicial office, to ensure we have a modern judiciary that is well placed to meet the challenges of the future.
As the head of a small, dedicated team, the postholder’s key responsibilities will include:
- Leading specific elements of the Modern Judiciary Programme, including setting the strategic direction of workstreams and leading policy development.
- Working with other policy, operational, analytical and legal colleagues across MoJ and beyond to develop and deliver policy solutions that are practical and legally robust while meeting policy objectives.
- Drafting advice and presenting to key senior stakeholders as part of the programme’s governance structure; and providing advice and briefing for Ministers and senior judges.
- Coordinating the development of a delivery plan for policy interventions and reporting against that plan through agreed governance.
- Leading work to prepare a consultation on options to deliver a modern judiciary.
- Contributing to priority projects within the division’s responsibility. For example, leading on engagement with the judiciary on particular issues or undertaking discrete policy projects to deliver agreed objectives of Ministers and senior judges.
Skills and experience
Successful candidates will demonstrate the following skills and experience:
- Ability to understand complex issues and communicate them effectively to a range of audiences, including senior officials, senior judges and Ministers.
- Experience of working with complex and sometimes incomplete data to understand potential impacts of policy changes and inform policy decisions.
- A proven track record of collaborative working.
- Ability to think strategically and keep one eye on the bigger picture while maintaining keen attention to detail.
- Experience of working in a fast-paced environment, prioritising effectively and delivering through others.
- Excellent leadership skills and experience of supporting teams to develop.
- Organisational and planning skills, and the ability to drive a broad portfolio of work.
Desirable qualities:
Experience of working with judges, and an understanding of the legal system and the constitution would be an advantage.
Application process
You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.
Experience
You will be asked to provide a CV during the application process so that we can consider any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role.
Behaviours
Please provide examples of how you have met each of the following behaviours (see Annex A for more information):
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Seeing the Big Picture
Please refer to the civil service behaviours framework for more details at this grade (Level 4 – G7 and G6 or equivalent):
Should we receive a large number of applications, we will sift primarily on the lead behaviour of Communicating and Influencing. Successful applicants will then be invited to an interview, in which they will be assessed against all four behaviours above.
Candidates invited to interview
Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely.
All those invited to interview will be required to complete a short, written exercise. Details of this will be sent to those candidates who are invited for interview.
During the interview, we will be assessing you on the four behaviours listed above, and on strengths from the success profiles framework.
Strengths are not notified in advance, however more information can be found via the following link: Success Profiles - Civil Service Strengths Dictionary (publishing.service.gov.uk).
Interviews are expected to take place in April 2023.
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.
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
- 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.
03/04/2023, 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 - 71979.
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.
For questions about the role of Modern Judiciary Policy Lead, please contact Clare Puncher at clare.puncher@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.
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.