85582 - Governance and Secretariat Officer, (2 roles available), Strategy and innovation Directorate, Ministry of Justice
Board Secretariat – Governance & Secretariat Officer
Band C (HEO Equivalent)
Strategy & Innovation Directorate
The Strategy & Innovation Directorate is recruiting permanently for two Band C Governance and Secretariat Officers. This campaign is being run externally and is open to all who consider themselves suitable for the roles and meet the eligibility criteria in the wider advert within Civil Service Jobs.
Location:
The successful candidates will be based at 102 Petty France, London or 5 Wellington Place, Leeds.
Ways of Working
At the MoJ we believe and promote alternative ways of working, this role is 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.
Our staff who have an HQ building as their base location are expected to work in an office at least 2 days per week.
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
Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
The Ministry of Justice is a major government department at the heart of the justice system. We work to protect and advance the principles of justice. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society.
The organisation works together and with other government departments and agencies to bring the principles of justice to life for everyone in society. From our civil courts, tribunals and family law hearings, to criminal justice, prison and probation services. We work to ensure that sentences are served and offenders are encouraged to turn their lives around and become law-abiding citizens. We believe the principles of justice are pivotal and we are steadfast in our shared commitment to uphold them.
Each year, millions of people use our services across the UK - including at over 300 courts and hearing centres, and over 100 prisons in England and Wales. Further information can be found at: About us - Ministry of Justice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The Work of Board Secretariat
The Board Secretariat Team supports the effective governance of the MoJ Departmental Board and its Committees to ensure that the department is run effectively, manages risk and delivers its key objectives. The team is part of the wider Strategy and Innovation Directorate which helps set the strategic direction of the department and works on some of the department’s biggest policy priorities. This a great opportunity to join a supportive team that has the unique position of oversight of the key decisions and discussions taking place at the highest level across the department. You will be working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders across the department, including with the Private Offices of senior officials and Ministers to ensure effective delivery of corporate governance.
The Board Secretariat are responsible for supporting the work of the:
- Departmental Board
- Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
- Delivery Board
- Executive Committee
- Investment Committee
- Portfolio Committee
- Finance, Performance & Risk Committee
- People Business Committee
The Board Secretariat Team also manages the relationship with the Departmental Non- Executive Directors.
Governance & Secretariat Officer – the role
As Governance & Secretariat Officer, you will have a pivotal role in the successful administration and smooth running of the department’s high-level Board and Committees where key decisions and discussions take place.
You will work to a Governance & Secretariat Manager and be an integral member of the team, contributing to the development of processes supporting our governance to ensure these remain effective and efficient.
The role offers the opportunity to gain insight into broad areas of policy and operations and gives exposure to senior officials on the Executive Team, Ministers and Non-Executive Directors. Through your day-to-day work, you will promote good governance across the department and gain invaluable experience at the heart of the decision-making process. We provide tailored induction plans and in-house training to support your learning and development.
Key responsibilities
- Manage and provide high quality support to various Boards and Committees including practical arrangements for meetings, maintain a forward plan of key agenda items, liaising with the Chair to prepare agendas and commission briefs.
- Drafting accurate and concise minutes within agreed timeframes.
- Actions from meetings will be correctly recorded and followed up to ensure that issues raised are appropriately tracked and concluded.
- Working with and supporting the Governance and Secretariat Managers to deliver effective and efficient governance to the department, escalating issues as necessary.
- Working collaboratively with Team colleagues to ensure that the Team continues to deliver a high standard of service.
- Working with colleagues across the department to ensure issues are brought to the correct governance forum at the right time to support effective decision making at the necessary level.
- Regularly reviewing and applying good governance best practice as highlighted by the Cabinet office and HM Treasury.
Skills and Experience
Essential:
- Prioritising – you will need to provide evidence of your ability to multi-task, manage competing priorities, including how you planned and delivered to meet deadlines.
- Collaborative working – we need individuals who are able to work in partnership with others, building strong relationships with the team and a wide range of stakeholders.
- Communicating – we are looking for good communicators with strong written and verbal communications skills.
- Delivering outcomes – you will need to demonstrate how you proactively take ownership and accountability for ensuring the effective delivery of outcomes and decisions.
Desirable:
- Previous governance and secretariat experience of successfully managing and supporting Boards/ Committees.
Application process
You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.
Experience
You will be asked to provide your work history and a statement of suitability during the application process in order to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role.
Should we receive a large number of applications, we will sift primarily on the lead behaviour of Managing a Quality Service. Successful applicants will then be invited to an interview, testing both behaviours and strengths.
Candidates invited to Interview
During the interview, we will be assessing you on Behaviours and Strengths from the success Profiles framework.
Behaviours
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
- Seeing the Big Picture
Please refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:
Interviews are expected to take place in early May 2024 and will be carried out via MS Teams.
Candidates applying from HMPPS should note that the Ministry of Justice does not have the same conditions of employment as HMPPS. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.
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 the Board Secretariat team. Contact Saima Ansari, Head of Board Secretariat on Saima.Ansari@justice.gov.uk or 07855083339.
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.
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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.