69665 - Social Research and Policy Officer - Office of the Victims’ Commissioner

£35,405- £39,000
1
12 Months
London
London
CLIVE HOUSE 5.11 LONDON, SW1H 9EX
HEO
HEO
Permanent
Full Time
Analytical, Social Research

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.

Office of the Victims’ Commissioner

Social Research and Policy Officer

Background 

The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales is a powerful and independent voice for victims. The Commissioner must: 

  • Promote the interests of victims and witnesses,
  • Encouraging good practice in the treatment of victims and witnesses, and
  • Keep the operation of the Victims’ Code under review.

The draft Victims’ Bill includes measures to further strengthen the role of the Victims’ Commissioner, ensuring that her reports are received by Parliament and that agencies must respond to her recommendations. This long-awaited Bill promises to strengthen victims’ rights and the Victims’ Commissioner is a key stakeholder in shaping its development.

 It is an exciting time to influence policy and research that best meet the needs of victims.

 Job description

The Victims’ Commissioner’s remit covers all victims across England and Wales across a broad range of topics such as fraud, anti-social behaviour and the Victims’ Code. The Office of the Victims’ Commissioner has a new Policy and Research team, and this role will join them in order further support the Victims’ Commissioner to represent the interests of victims and promote best practice. 

We are seeking a highly motivated social researcher to join the new Policy and Research team. In addition to shaping and conducting research, the successful candidate  will also develop policy expertise and will deliver recommendations for the Victims’ Commissioner. You will have your own areas of responsibility, where you will be expected to work on your own initiative, whilst you will work in partnership with the Victims’ Commissioner and other members of the team on key and strategic decisions. 

The role will include:

  • Supporting the Senior Research Officer and Head of Policy and Research in designing and delivering the Victims’ Commissioner’s research projects.
  • Providing high-quality advice on a range of issues to more senior staff and to the Victims’ Commissioner.
  • Developing detailed expertise on particular elements of victims and witness policy.
  • Drafting correspondence, reports, presentations and speeches and lines to take for the Commissioner and her team.
  • Developing an understanding of the local and national victim and witness policy considering and responding to changes and emerging issues in the national and local policy landscape.
  • Working with others in the team to solve problems, identify solutions and agree strategies for responding complex research and policy challenges.
  • Building effective relationships with key stakeholders across Government, with statutory agencies, and with the third sector.
  • Working closely with the Victims’ Commissioner’s team to ensure that policy development is grounded in operational practice and robust evidence.
  • Exercising excellent judgement and political awareness when engaging with stakeholders.
  • Represent the Office of the Victims’ Commissioner at stakeholder meetings.

The post holder will be working as part of a small and busy team and will be expected to work flexibly across the Commissioner’s Office as and when required. 

Essential criteria

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate the essential criteria: 

  • Strong analytical skills and the ability to use evidence-based judgement to inform advice and professional opinion.
  • Good working knowledge of research methods including quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis and the ability to apply these knowledge and skills to new problems.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain technical data and analytical concepts and practices to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Experience in researching or developing social policy.
  • Strong communication, negotiating, influencing and interpersonal skills to build effective relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Awareness of key issues for victims and witnesses and sensitivity to these.
  • Ability to organise and prioritise.
  • Experience of delivering within a fast-paced environment, meeting deadlines and escalating emerging issues and risks.

Desirable criteria

  • Experience of working within or alongside the victims’ sector.
  • Experience and knowledge of the criminal justice system.

Qualifications

Candidates must be able to show the relevant experience and skills and must meet the criteria for entry:

  • You possess a numerate degree or a degree that has an analytical, statistical or research element, with a 2:2 or above, or as a higher degree (e.g. MSc, PhD)

and/or

  • You have significant work experience (usually a minimum of three years) evidencing use of data and/or analytical skills. Time spent on an analytical PhD can count towards this.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Communicating and Influencing.
  • Making Effective Decision.
  • Seeing the Big Picture.

Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade (Level 3 - HEO and SEO or equivalent):

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

 Technical

1: You will be asked to provide examples of the following analytical requirements:

Applies quantitative analytical methods effectively to drive insights and evidence that influence decision making and add value:

  • Identifies, gathers and brings a range of often large data sets together, identifying and resolving quality issues
  • Uses appropriate methods and techniques to analyse the data to gain insight and evidence that solves problems or questions
  • Presents findings and insights persuasively so customers engage and understand the evidence and use it to influence decisions
  • Anticipates potential further uses of data wider than solving initial problem, and can raise awareness and engagement in value of quantitative approaches

2: Professional competency:

Please state your analytical profession in the first line of this competency as this will help us ensure that the interview panel is appropriate for your profession should you be selected.

You should give evidence of how you meet the requirements of the relevant professional competency framework. Further information can be found within the links below:

Government Social Research Service (GSR): 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-government-social-research-competency-framework.

OR

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

  • Professional Competency (1) Knowledge and application of GSR technical skills
  • Professional Competency (2)  GSR - using and promoting social research

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.

Expected W/C 27th February

13/02/2023, 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 - 69665.

If you have any questions about this role please contact madeleine.storry@victimscommissioner.org.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.

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
Communicating and Influencing - 250 word limit
Making Effective Decisions - 250 word limit
Seeing the Big Picture - 250 word limit
Experience
CV
Technical Skills
Knowledge and application of GSR technical skills - 250 word limit

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Seeing the Big Picture
Technical Skills
Knowledge and application of GSR technical skills
GSR - using and promoting social research
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.