85530 - People Policy Advisor
About the Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is a major government department at the heart of the justice system. We deliver some of the most fundamental public services including courts, tribunals, prisons, legal services, youth justice, probation services and attendance centres. The MoJ is supported by 35 agencies and public bodies.
We work together with other government departments and agencies to bring the principles of justice to life for everyone in society. We work to ensure that sentences are served, and offenders are encouraged to turn their lives around and become law-abiding citizens. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society. Our 4 strategic priorities to deliver our vision are:
A prison and probation service that reforms offenders
A modern courts and justice system
A Global Britain that promotes the rule of law
A transformed department that is simpler, smarter and more unified
For more information on who we are and what we do, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice.
About People Group
The people who work for the MoJ are responsible for its success; and the role of People Group is to support the organisation by enabling our people to be the best that they can be.
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 MoJ to feel confident in their skills, ambitious for the future and fulfilled by their work and relationships with their colleagues.
The MoJ People Strategy is central to the work that the People Policy and Transparency team carries out. One of the actions of the MoJ People Strategy is that we transform our HR policies so that they are inclusive and flexible, suit the needs of modern workplaces and working lives, support movement across the MoJ family, and are easy to use. We have a commitment to have transformed key HR policies by December 2026. The aim is that for each topic we will have a single policy with supporting guidance and, where appropriate, letters pack, that can be used across the whole of the MoJ, including the executive agencies.
Overview of the role
This is a fast-paced, challenging, role that requires a highly proactive approach to the work and provides the job holder with a level of autonomy. The job holder will be responsible for providing advice to managers, senior leaders and the HR community on complex people policy matters across a wide range of policy topics. The job holder will also support Senior Policy Advisors and the Policy Development Team on the review, development and application of HR policies to ensure policies are easy to use, legally compliant and meet the needs of the business.
The successful candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to prioritise a busy workload with conflicting priorities and a proven track record of building relationships with key stakeholders and collaborating to deliver results.
This role presents an excellent opportunity to gain policy, drafting and stakeholder engagement experience. It is offered on two year loan. Subject to business need the post could be converted to a permanent position.
Responsibilities and Duties
The role includes:
Becoming a subject matter expert on a group of themed policies and having an overall understanding of other people policy areas. Themed areas may include conduct and behaviour; health, sickness and wellbeing; time off; parental leave; working arrangements; moving, leaving and transparency.
Supporting the review and development of new and existing people policies for use across the MoJ which will include working with stakeholders across People Group, the wider MoJ (such as Communication and Digital teams), Trade Unions, staff networks and other government departments;
Supporting colleagues on briefings, reports, and updates of progress against the people policy priorities;
Answering complex policy queries, providing the escalation support for the HR Support Hub.
Providing content for, or preparing responses to, Freedom of Information requests, Ministerial correspondence and Parliamentary Questions.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across People Group to ensure new policies and guidance are implemented successfully within the organisation and managers have the required knowledge and capabilities to apply the policies consistently and fairly.
Working with the Executive Agencies and Arm’s Length Bodies to raise awareness and understanding of the Government transparency agenda and improve compliance with transparency obligations.
The responsibilities/duties listed above describe the role as it is at present and it is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a grade appropriate level that may be necessary.
Essential Criteria
Previous HR experience
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor communications to the audience and circumstance.
Demonstrated ability to confidently build and manage relationships with a range of
Strong organisational skills to effectively manage own workload and meet competing priorities.
Research skills including gathering and sifting relevant information, analysing data and trends, and presenting information to support evidence-based decision making.
Desirable Criteria
Experience of reviewing, drafting and advising on HR policies.
Sound knowledge of employment law and people policy trends.
An understanding of the Government People Group operating model.
Experience of building and maintaining relationships with Departmental Trade Unions.
A willingness to work to towards CIPD level 5 qualification.
We may consider any evidence within the application form that demonstrates meeting the desirable criteria as set out in the job description. This will only be after essential criteria is scored and where there is a need to differentiate between closely scored candidates.
Behaviours
Managing a Quality Service (lead behaviour)
Working together
Communicating and Influencing
Changing and improving
Application process
You will be assessed on the below behaviours at HEO level. Please also refer to the essential criteria of the job description.
Managing a Quality Service (lead behaviour)
Working Together
Communicating and Influencing
Changing and improving
Interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams
You will be assessed on your suitability for the role through behaviour-based and strength-based questions.
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.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.
All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.
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.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
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.
04/04/2024, 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.