47574 - Deputy Private Secretary to the Master of the Rolls

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.

A truly unique opportunity to work in a key role at the heart of Justice and the Rule of Law as part the team supporting the Master of the Rolls in leading the Civil Justice System. 

Civil Justice is a wide-ranging and underpins many areas of life. The Civil Justice System provides for people to vindicate their rights and resolve disputes across almost any issue. Examples include Anti-Social Behaviour, Contract breaches, Copyright, Personal Injury, and Medical Negligence. A wide range of policy topics from across Government interact with our work here.  

Your work will have real and significant impact at the highest level and you will occupy a prominent position alongside judges at the heart of the civil justice system.

The role:

Within the Masters of the Rolls’ Private Office you will primarily be responsible for maintaining oversight of operational performance and operational policy in the Civil County Court.

Your responsibilities and tasks will be varied but will include: production of policy papers and briefing; representing the Master of the Rolls and DHCJ at meetings; and helping to shape the strategic direction of Civil Justice policy. You will be directly responsible for critical governance boards and executive committees at the most senior level. You will engage across government and the judiciary, in particular with HMCTS, to offer guidance, support and appropriate challenge.

You will work closely and directly with the Deputy Head of Civil Justice (DHCJ, Sir Colin Birss). You will be his primary point of contact and support within the MR’s Private Office team. Your work will be of critical importance in supporting him to effectively carry out his role on behalf of the MR.

You will be part of the Master of the Roll’s Private Office Team. The team is small, friendly, and social and we prioritise and enjoy supporting each other. 

Development is a critical part of the role and it is an ideal jumping off point into wider management and leadership. The combination of private office functions with wider policy work provides significant levels of exposure and opportunities to expand your leadership skills.

Specific responsibilities:

Current work includes:

• Leading on coordinating the Deputy Head of Civil Justice’s participation in the Reform Programme, including commissioning and providing briefings for his attendance at Programme Board and other groups groups;
• Acting as secretariat for the Civil Executive Team, and Civil Leadership Group, respectively made up of senior and representative judges drawn from across the Civil Justice System. Ensuring that their work managing the operations of the Civil Justice System is supported and taken forward, and that they are linked in with others across the Judicial Office, or wider civil service as appropriate.
• Working closely with the teams responsible for the digitisation of civil money claims, the Judicial Office reform team, and the Civil Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) to ensure that work is properly resourced and developed;
• Providing guidance and advice to the MR and DHCJ with regards to other specific projects, or engagements which may arise.
• Drafting documents and providing support to the MR and DHCJ in their responsibilities for judicial appointments as necessary.
• Deputising where necessary for the Private Secretary.
• The post offers opportunities for line management.

Skills and Qualifications:

The successful candidate will be organised, strategic and be able to prioritise and handle multiple issues concurrently. They will have excellent and concise communication skills. The post holder must be able to perform independently at a high level.

Part of the enjoyment and challenge of working in a private office is that work is occasionally fast paced and unpredictable. It will be important that the job holder is willing and able to be flexible in the tasks they take on.

The strongest applicants are likely to have proven experience of drafting, committee work, IT skills, communication and influencing skills. Prior experience of working with the judiciary and knowledge of the Civil Justice System is desirable but not essential.

You will be required to provide evidence of the following Behaviours: 

Seeing the Big Picture:

• Develop an understanding of own area’s strategy and how this contributes to Departmental priorities
• Be alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit own and team’s work
• Actively seek out and share experience to develop understanding and knowledge of own work and of team’s business area. 

Changing and Improving 

• Regularly review procedures or systems with teams to identify improvements and simplify processes and decision making
• Actively encourage ideas from a wide range of sources and stakeholders and use these to inform own thinking
• Be willing to meet the challenges of difficult or complex changes, encouraging and supporting others to do the same 

Making Effective Decisions:

• Explore different options outlining costs, benefits, risks and potential responses to each
• Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making to help build engagement and present robust recommendations.
• Make decisions when they are needed, even if they prove difficult or unpopular 

Working Together:

• Establish relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of business outcomes
• Actively seek input from a diverse range of people
• Encourage collaborative team working within own team and across the Department 

Communicating and Influencing

• Clarify strategies and plans, communicate purpose and direction with clarity and enthusiasm
• Stand by, promote or defend own and team’s actions and decisions where needed, including against challenge from Senior judiciary, or other stakeholders
• Confidently engage with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels to generate commitment to goals 

Delivering at pace

• Clarify business priorities, roles and responsibilities and secure individual and team ownership
• Act as a role model in supporting and energising teams to build confidence in their ability to deliver outcomes
• Maintain effective performance in difficult and challenging circumstances, encouraging others to do the same

Contact:

For details about the role itself please contact the Sam Allan, Line Manager on 0207 947 7830  or Carys Martlew-Cousins the current post holder on 0207 947 6204.

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote the job reference 22778.

Level of security checks required:   

Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC) 

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.